|
|
 |
FounderLink
 |
March 2002
Volume 1, Number 3 |
ROAR -- Then SOAR
If we would aspire to SOAR...
Then first we must Learn to...ROAR!!!
Susan Joyce, Region Member Services Chair
Governor Carol's theme for this biennium is Soroptimists Soar into the New Century. If Founder Region is to SOAR... then first we must get serious and R.O.A.R., the letters of which stand for Recruitment Orientation And Retention.
This was first originated in Northwestern Region and they continue to operate their membership committee functions with R.O.A.R. as their standard. They are on the right track and we are hoping that Founder Region will get behind these ideals as well.
We must recruit new members... and when we get them we must give them heavy doses of Soroptimist Orientation and Leadership Training...and if we do this... then the words "And Retention" will automatically fall into place for us.
Our committee challenged you to grow your clubs by a net increase of twenty percent this biennium. Many of you are not meeting the challenge. Twenty percent net growth for each of our clubs is an attainable, easy goal. For a club of 20 members, this is only 4 new members. However, we did say net... so if you have 20 members and lose two and gain 4, then you've only gained ten percent net growth. However, none of us should be losing members... we should be retaining members.
We should be creative in our efforts as to Recruitment, Orientation and Retention (R.O.A.R.). And we encourage you to utilize the three words our committee challenged you with at last year's conference -- flexibility... fun... future. With great flexibility, you will recruit and retain members. With fun you can achieve your orientation goals, and with flexibility and fun, you are insuring not only your club's future but the future of Soroptimist International!
A wonderful challenge toward growth for your club is a theme of each member recruits a member. If that goal were to be met... we would double our membership!
Founder Region Member Services Chair, Susan Joyce, is leading a workshop at the Founder Region Conference on Friday afternoon from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. Since the conference site is in Kona, Hawaii, she realizes she has stiff competition for your time that afternoon, but investing your time in this workshop could make all the difference for your club as you will learn more about R.O.A.R. and creative ideas for Recruitment, Orientation, and Retention. Please attend this workshop!
|
Founder Region Has New Club
Soroptimist International of Alameda, as sponsor club, hosted a wonderful charter celebration for our newest club, Soroptimist International of Fremont on Saturday, February 23. The new club chartered with 30 charter members! And since their official charter date is March 1, they may grow more by then! Soroptimist International of Alameda presented an elegant tea for the event and they gifted the new club with their charter member pins and their name badges. Governor Carol inducted the new members and Nancy Walker, President Elect of Soroptimist International of the Americas installed the charter officers. It was a memorable event. The only thing lacking that day was the presence of many of you! Did you know that the chartering of a new club is a Region event? And that you should be there to lend your support to the new club? In addition the chartering of a new club is very inspirational. Hopefully when we charter more new clubs, your club will send representation to the charter events. Charter events are fun!! In addition to the mandatory monetary gift each club is required to send to new clubs, it is a nice touch if you could please send a letter or card of congratulations. It's even better if you attend in person and present your letter or card and perhaps a small gift as well. New clubs need things like opportunity drawing tickets, stationery, postage, etc.
We are working toward the chartering of three other new clubs. Soroptimist International of Vallejo is working toward chartering a new club in the Central Solano County area (Fairfield, Suisun, Green Valley). It has been reported that they have 14 charter members, so hopefully soon we will be holding their charter event. Soroptimist International of Sonoma Valley is working on chartering a club in Petaluma, and Soroptimist International of Healdsburg is working on chartering a club in Windsor.
You can count on the fact that the Member Services Committee will be contacting many clubs throughout the region encouraging that you help us charter a new club by being the club sponsor. There are many areas in our region that need a Soroptimist club, and many of those areas are those that we had clubs in previously. It can be done and our committee is ready, willing and able to help you charter these new clubs. The "How to" for chartering new clubs was distributed at all district meetings last Fall.
Prospective Member Referral Form
Not too long ago we distributed to each club a new form... the Prospective Member Referral Form. (This form is also available in the main portion of this web site under the "Club Resources" category.) We are hoping that you duplicate it many times over and encourage your members to share the wealth of their knowledge of prospective members, not just with your own club, but with clubs all over the world. We all know prospective members in other areas and we should be referring them to clubs so that they can enjoy the wonderful benefits of Soroptimist membership!
Mall Walking
Another idea in print that was distributed recently to all clubs is Mall Walking, or business strip walking, or industrial strip walking or business door to door walking. Whatever you want to call it... we want you to try it!! The best part about doing this is that you not only reach prospective members for Soroptimist but you spread the word in your community as to what Soroptimist is. Members of our committee are available to go mall walking with you in your communities to demonstrate how easy this concept works. Please try it!! The Mall Walking Brochure and Mall Walking Hints/Guidance (including a sample dialog) are available in the main portion of this web site under the "Club Resources" category.
Soroptimist Orientation and Leadership Training
We encourage that your club focuses on the importance of Soroptimist Orientation and Leadership Training. Pinches or dashes of S.O.L.T. should be given at all club meetings, in club newsletters, and in special guides for new members. We hope you will consider holding special S.O.L.T. retreats or meetings separate from your normal club meetings. Members of our committee are available to help you with these presentations.
Last But Not Least!!
Last but not least... Governor Carol appointed us to do a job... and we accepted the job! That of serving on the Member Services Committee this biennium. We would like the opportunity to truly serve you between now and the end of the biennium. Please do call on us for any information you may need...for presentations at your club meetings on Recruitment and Retention and Soroptimist Orientation and Leadership Training, to help present special S.O.L.T. workshops or to speak at prospective member events, or to go mall walking with you. We would like the opportunity to help you SOAR and R.O.A.R!!!
|
all content copyright © 2000 and beyond by Soroptimist International of the Americas Founder Region (SIAFR). All rights reserved. Clubs in SIAFR may freely use any content on this site to further the goals of SIAFR, providing the content is not altered. Otherwise no portion of this web site may be reproduced in any manner without prior written permission from the SIAFR Governor. |
|
rev March 2002
site by ArtemisComputing.com |
with comments or concerns
please remember to specify your computer type and your browser & version number
WHEN REPORTING PROBLEMS OR UPDATES, PLEASE BE VERY SPECIFIC AND INCLUDE THE NAME OF THE PAGE
|
