Mini NHWT Orientation

I. Minnesota Women of Today Mission Statement:
A. Mission:
The mission of the Minnesota Women of Today is to help women improve their own lives and the lives of the people in the communities around them.
II. History of Women of Today:
A. We began as a Jaycee wives’ organization in 1950 in Minnesota (Mrs. Jaycees).
B. We became an independent organization, the Women of Today in 1985.
III. Organizational Structure:
A. United States Women of Today
1. The national organization has 14 plus member states.
B. Minnesota Women of Today
1. We maintain a strong support system by providing individual chapters with educational information, fundraising ideas and membership encouragement.
2. Membership:
a. Open to all persons over the age of 18.
b. Active chapters need ten members.
3. State dues are $45 and National dues are $5. Local dues are $0.
4. The State NEWSLET is sent to all members and subscribers three times a year.
5. State conventions are held three times a year hosted in various areas of the state.
C. District
1. Chapters throughout the state are organized into districts to promote communication and mutual support.
2. We are part of district 7. Chapters in our district are: Brooklyn Park, Fridley, Maple Grove, and White Bear Lake.
3. District meetings are held three times a year.
D. Our chapter, the New Hope Women of Today
1. Board meetings are open to all members in good standing. They are held on the 2nd Monday of the month.
2. General membership meetings are open to the public. They are held on the 4th Monday of the month.
IV. Our structure
A. The local board may consist of:
1. President - plans and runs meetings.
2. State Delegate - keeps chapter informed about district and state matters.
3. Programing Vice President - supervises programming areas, which benefit the local chapter and community.
4. Membership Vice President - supervises areas, which provide service to the individual member.
5. Secretary - records minutes of business meetings and handles correspondence.
6. Treasurer - manages chapter finances.
7. Parliamentarian/Past President - promotes efficient business meetings through Robert's Rules of Order.
B. Local Program Managers (LPMs), under the Programing VPs, oversee areas in which the chapter participates.
1. Internal areas benefit the local chapter and its members. The following are the internal area, which the state organization supports. Our local chapter participates in all of the areas.
a. Living and Learning (LL) - developed to encourage a member’s personal growth – mentally, spiritually, civically and through family.
b. SUCCESS - designed to help keep those important project records on file. Encouraged chapter history keeping as well as completing a variety of activities each trimester.
c. Public Relations (PR) - promotes Women of Today to the community through various media, including Facebook, Website, Newspapers, magazines, etc.
d. NEWSLETTER - promotes good communication in the chapter. This area typically produces a newsletter for the chapter.
2.    External areas benefit the community. The following are the external areas which the state organization supports. Our local chapter participates in all of the areas.
a.    Community Connections (CC) – encourages involvement in the local community.  Also encourages support of Friendship Ventures, the Outstanding Person with Challenges award and a community-focused area of the SPM’s choosing.
b.    Priority Area (currently Can-Do Canines for 2018-2021) – formerly Breaking Free – encourages education and support of this foundation.
c.     Women’s Wellness (WW) – focused on providing and supporting women’s health education through traditional and holistic medical practices.
d.    Youth of Today (YT) – this area covers a wide variety of projects that involve youth activities, education and support.  The Outstanding Young Adult scholarship program falls under this area.
V.  General Pointers for Members
A.    Member involvement:
1.    Regular attendance at general meetings is strongly encouraged.
2.    Whatever your level of involvement, we are glad to have you!
3.    Do not be afraid to chair a project - maybe try co-chairing.
B.    Miscellaneous Tips:
1.    Reporting at meetings:
a.    Be prepared - summarize!
b.    Write it down for the secretary.
c.     Be creative and have fun! (Use a prop, try a skit!)
2.    Bring up new ideas at a meeting in the form of a motion. Begin with "I move that....." and go on to state your idea.
3.    Use your chapter newsletter. It is a great communication tool.