GREETINGS AND WELCOME

Gail Suttle, Chairman
grsutt@aol.com

What is this? Well, it is a new committee formed this year within the TFRW Board of Directors with the task of presenting ideas to the Board and to our TFRW Clubs.

At the first Board meeting for this term on January 31 and February 1 in San Antonio we tried some varied and interesting get-acquainted ideas. We had sign-in sheets for Returning Board Members, New to the Board Members and Guests. Each wore a colored sticker to indicate their category. They received a bag which had ideas on being a member of the Board, some things to expect at meetings, and more or less the “Ins and Outs” of the importance of their positions. Also included was a game which was 10 questions on a sheet and each was to find someone who fit the question, eg: Someone wearing a red hat, Someone who knew the names of the Supreme Court, Someone who knew the dates of the elections this year, etc. etc. The entire hotel area near the meeting, the lunch room and I am sure the Ladies Room were a buzz with people getting to know each other and signing the sheets where they knew the answer. Prizes were awarded at the close of the game to those with the most answers. The lunch attendees were also seated with different members at a table with one of the elected Board members as the host. This created much conversation and helped all feel a part of the Board.

So, all in all, it seemed to spark interest and helped spread the joy of getting to know one another.

We will do something at each Board meeting that we hope will peak everyone’s interest and still do a little education of an important  phase of the TFRW.

What do you think could be done at the club level to accomplish this kind of action?

Do you remember being at your first meeting, or coming in to a group where you knew no one, or maybe even being a member for sometime but always feeling that everyone there knew or knows the others and they get so busy talking to their friends they don’t even see you? (If you’re like me you head for the refreshments and “pig out” - disgusting!)

This is not a pretty picture! We all have something very important in common - doing the work of the Republican Party. And of course more this year than any other in a long long time! We cannot afford to let even one of our sisters feel unwanted and slip through our fingers!

Take a good look at yourself and think about how often or how long ago it was that you actually introduced yourself to someone knew at the meeting? Did you ask any questions about them - family, where they live, how long in the city, pets, etc. etc.? Did you then turn around and introduce them to someone else? And especially did you think of someone who has a pet they talked about, or interest in gardening, or where could they go to help with a campaign, etc. etc.? Did you bother to talk to someone who seems to always come but you don’t know?

That is really how easy it is to make someone welcome at your meeting!

Just as a starter - form a Welcoming Committee. In days before meeting if you know of someone new or someone coming to meeting for first time, or not very active, call them and tell them to be sure to stop at the table to be welcomed. Have at least two people so one can greet and intro self and then turn over to the other member to have them taken to meet another club member. Put out information to your club members to remind each one that they are also part of the welcoming committee. If there is something special coming up after the meeting or before the next one, invite the person to attend - take them or see that they can get to the event. Get them involved with the campaigns, the County Office, and places other activities are taking place. In other words be friendly, kind and generous with your time. This is the way I see all of our members, don’t you?!!!!!

Please don’t be like some who judge others by how they look, what they wear, etc.

We never know what jewel we may find if we just bother to take the time to stop, look and listen. Be a good listener - they may just need to talk a little. If they seem to have something stressing them maybe you can find a way to put them to a task where they might be able to work it off - who knows?  LET’S ALL TRY!