As promised in the last message- this section will be updated approximately every two weeks with a new “E” word that has a special meaning, as well as any current issues, visits, etc that may be happening at the time.  We have our annual Leadership Workshop on July 31^st in Fresno, CA and it is going to be not only very instructional- but also great times will be had by all.  There is still time to RSVP- so check out the flyer in the “Events” section and get that reservation in!

So on with the “E” word!

ENGAGE- Merriam-Webster defines as – to pledge oneself; to take part; to give attention to something; to come together and interlock

On a local level, we are always trying to find ways to get our members more involved in the Association- yet do we really know what it is that brought them to us in the first place?  As a member- do you really know why you come each month to a meeting or why you joined?  I was at a dinner meeting recently and one of the members said she joined the local association because she wanted to network, but was disappointed by always seeing the same members again and again.  We asked her if this was the only reason she really belonged and if so, had she realized that she had the potential of actually networking with over 7,000 members nationwide?  Did she understand that by going to a Leadership workshop, Inter-coordinating Council Meeting or even another sister association right in her area that she would be able to meet and network with even more California members?  We fail at times to make sure our members realize just what all we have to offer them, because we just assume they know.   In the next month, we challenge you to find out what each of your members want out of their membership- send out an email, have a questionnaire that you pass out at the next dinner meeting- or just engage your membership chair/committee to make personal phone calls.

Sometimes you just have that member that loves coming to the local meeting because that is the only time during the month they actually have a night to get away from the family & be with their friends.  You can still engage that member- have them be the one to collect business cards at the door to use for the monthly mailings- or help with the raffle drawing if you have those- help check in the attendees and collect payment for the dinner- have them do an “ice breaker” – the main thing is to just engage them in some way. 

Think about the excitement you had when someone popped the question and you could not wait to tell the world you were “engaged” -  use this same excitement by being engaged in your Association, Council and NAIW!

In fellowship,
Kathleen Kerstenbeck, ARM, CPIW
Council Director, California Council of NAIW