July 31, 2009

Ladies

As your President, I attended Mini Board this past weekend. Friday July 24^th at 8:30 AM Anna Andersen, Karen Morrissette and I hit the road for Mt Laurel, NJ. On I495 in Mass., we were caught in a traffic jam for over an hour, which was the result of an accident. Once it was cleared we were back on our way. Stopping for lunch in CT, by either pure luck or an accident, we found a hidden restaurant with out of this world food.

We finally arrived at our destination at 6:15 PM, just in time to register, put our things in our room and join the Welcome Party. At the party we enjoyed the company of our NAIW friends over dinner and games.

First thing Saturday morning found us at breakfast with the group where Bonne introduced both our current National President Linda Wilson and a former National President Gloria Bruno. Dixie Watson was asked to speak regarding our 2010 Regional Conference and passed our pamphlets on it. Then we all broke up to go to the classes.

Session A – Roberts Rules was interesting for me. The teacher explained a lot of the terms used and where we could find them in the actual book. I learned that a meeting should be cared out  with everyone having a voice on the subject. Each agenda must include both new and old business, with the minutes taken to show what was in attendance, time period and any discussion. Also unless an item of business that can not reach a vote on, must either be put on hold or tabled to the next meeting, otherwise there is no action and it dies at that meeting.

Session B – Conflict Resolution, this is a new course presented by NAIW, which we can find on line along with the I Can series.  We learned there are two types of conflict healthy and unhealthy. We can find conflict in all areas of our lives: the league whether at local, council or national level, in our personal lives either in the family or work place. We just have to be responsible for ourselves. Each person has their own attitude, beliefs or perceptions, needs, values, personalities, power, feelings and emotions. That it is easy for two people to miss understand what the other really means.  We just can’t let it go to the limits as we have seen on the TV lately.

Session C – By-Laws & Standing Rules – Each level of the association has to set their on By-Laws & Standing Rule to run the organization. To9 show what they have to do and how they want it done. Each member should receive a copy of these and each new member as they join the league. They also suggest that a copy of both be placed on an association’s website, as some people don’t want to waste time with the paper and either lose them or throw them out.

At noon we had a lunch break, a very different lunch as it was called a taste of Philly. With time to enjoy the different foods we’d find in Philadelphia and chat with other members over what we had learned in the morning. Then it was time for our afternoon sessions.

Session D – Membership – We learned what affects our membership, where to find information to help us find new members, the history of NAIW and benefits to belonging to the organization.  We were given handouts on this subject and I’d be happy to give a copy to anyone who wants it.

Session E – NAIW – We were taught the structure of the association from the organization tree, to the description of each officer position and their jobs at each level of the association. We were told where to find information in the Comprehensive Manual and on the NAIW website. I also remembered to bring back a copy of this handout too, if anyone wants one.

After spending our entire day in classes, we were given a treat, a bus trip to Atlantic City for dinner with friends and a couple of hours at the Resort Casino to relax after a busy and informative Mini Board.

Respectfully submitted

Ann L Anger CPIW

NHIWL President