National: Anita Jaffe, Barbara Hoenig, Betsy Werley

Chapter Call Notes

May 14, 2012

Participants

Atlanta: Lynn Anderson

Central Ohio – Carol Oswald

Chicago – Emma Kalaidjian, Del McCormick

Long Island – Marlene Gerber, Dale Davis, Carole Davis

NYC- Sally Dougan, Diane Levine, Linda Sicher

Philadelphia – Jean Brubaker

San Francisco – Arlene Reiff

Santa Fe – Pat Shapiro

Washington DC – Mara Mayor

Next meeting: Thursday July 12, 1 to 3 PM ET, noon to 2 PM CT, 11 AM to 1 PM MT, 10 AM to noon PT, callin 605-475-6006, PIN 131717

Followup items: Betsy

1)Share list of chapter leads, program committee leads– attached to cover note

2)Send list of chapter and program leads to all newsletter editors - DONE

3)Del/Emma – contacts re transition peer groups: Arlene, Mara

4)Share central Ohio new member form including committee opportunities– attached to cover note

5)Written updates on national topics – see end of these chapter call notes

6)Organize a followup call on programs for chapter leads and program chairs in June/July

7)Chapter program overview – updated with Chicago and DC info – attached to cover note

8)Chapter program list – 2011-2012 – resending – attached to cover note

Discussion

Betsy began with an acknowledgment of the first 4 months of this year, which were extraordinary in terms of activities, programs, and membership growth. We had over 1800 paid members by the end of April - 300 more than last year at the same time. She congratulated Long Island with 200 new members and Santa Fe with its launch and 90 new members in not quite a year’s time.

Program discussion – what are the key issues, by chapter?

Sally Dougan (NYC) – the list is a great resource. Can you archive it somewhere? BW – yes it will go into the Resource section when we rebuilt it

Lynn Anderson (Atl.) –What topics work/return on investment; not noticing any difference in attendance regard less of the topic

Carol Oswald (central OH) – list is fabulous. Our dilemma - how many programs, what’s the right mix?

Emma K (Chicago) – how chapters publicize programs beyond e-mail, to generate more interest

Del McCormick (Chicago) – Transition programs in NYC and the Bay Area – how do they work, how psychological?

Marlene, Carole, Dale – 17 committee members – how to set up a committee, roles people can play; how many programs, social events

Linda Sicher (NYC) – marketing, publicity; co-sponsorships & mechanics; for free programs, how many will actually show up? Diane Levine (NYC) - are we trying to do too much – running so many programs AND peer groups?

Jean Brubaker (Phila) – love to have regular cross-chapter contact among program people. Has anyone found a good process to convert prospects to members? What should be our goal in terms of attendance at programs? How do you avoid burnout on the part of program committee members? How do you get people to pay in advance? Who is doing what with member feedback and suggestions?

Arlene Reiff (San Francisco) – feedback on Paris program; about to hold our first annual meeting to develop new leadership, get people involved. Interested in learning more about the mentoring program.

Pat Shapiro (Santa Fe) – She’s in a new chapter and a new program chair. What are the guidelines for speakers (avoiding overtly promotional programs)? How do you get the work done with a small committee?

Mara Mayor (DC) – don’t have next leadership team for program committee; have shifted focus from 10 speaker programs that included dinner with speakers to 3-4 speakers and 3-4 workshops

The group discussed two topics in depth – 1) program committees and 2) marketing programs

Program committees

NYC –Third Thursday program committee (Sally Dougan) – everyone handles one program per year (14 on committee). Programs are vital because they’re TTN’s face to the world. Many people are not in peer groups and programs are a link to the organizations; also offer a forum for welcoming new members and providing orientations. (NYC holds a 15 minute orientation session at the end of each Third Thursday program.

The chapter has a framework of topics that it wants to cover (e.g. health, money, relationships, current events). Ask for people who are interested and have them lead. Multiple people to handle, teams of two. New people – invited toattend a planning session on a test-drive basis. That helps people understand what they’re getting into.

Predictable date (Third Thursdays) - very helpful in bringing in new participants.

Explore NYC programs (cultural, social programs) – works well to separate the big programs and smaller programs with a different focus into two committees.

Long Island – Dale Davis and Carole Davis – We recruit through personal phone calls to potential Program Committee members and inviting them to bring a friend. People don’t know what people do on program committees. Recruit at Mix & Mingles. People come forward – I’d like to do X – and we sign them up.

Chicago – Del McCormick - Inviting likely candidates has worked well; program committee is like its own peer group. What’s your area of interest? Would you like to lead a peer group or program? Always think of co-chairs. Provide tools. Offer leadership opportunities for people.

Philadelphia – Jean Brubaker - best thing for the chapter is different types of programs; three main flavors in Philadelphia: 1) created and presented by chapter; 2) restaurant location – chapter has to handle only marketing and attendance – social aspect with a conversation topic led by TTN member; 3) partner with other groups. 8 to10 people are an ad hoc committee. Jean follows up with people who express an interest. List of what needs to be done.

Central Ohio – Carol Oswald – we recruit in part through our membership form – tells people what committees they can sign up for. Get that from Carole.*

San Francisco – Get forms*

How do you get the word out about programs?

San Francisco – Arlene - collaborations with SF Village, Commonwealth Club, Coming of Age. The Commonwealth Club is a nationally known organization that offers programs on many topics; TTN collaborates on a series called the Grownups Forum. * Arlene will follow up to ask about who else is doing something similar.

Central Ohio – Carol - Women’s Health Center – interested in getting the word out to the community. Local radio show – support. Announced a contest before the meeting – prizes for member who invited the most guests.

NYC – The chapter’s Facebook site is another good place to get the word out -

Website posting – Intern Ashley Taylor developed a list of places to post information; Betsy will resend that.

AAUW connection – Emma - is there a way to connect at more of a state level since there are so many chapters? BW will follow up.

Should we try to recruit marquis speakers?

SF - Love the idea, what are the expenses? Would have to be someone local.

LI – Dale –We would benefit from developing common program themes and speakers who worked with multiple chapters. LI partnered with the JCC on their Suzanne Braun Levine program.

Marlene – would love to see that caliber of speaker coordinated by national with multiple chapters.

Chicago – Del – big speaker requires big venue and co-sponsors, could be a stretch for some of the chapters.

Idea - National webinar with high-visibility speaker. Live program and others attending by video. Might have to have a special support team to handle the program.

Chapter updates

Chicago: Del and Emma - Coming programs – trying to increase membership and exposure in city and western suburbs. Will offer a western suburb wine tour, tasting and lunch. South Loop area – Nat’l Museum of Mexican art – tour of art exhibits and lunch. Crafts, book group, movie group are quite successful. New peer group – second meeting of transitions group in a restaurant. How do others handle transition peer groups; do you have issue with people who need therapy rather than just conversation?

Arlene R – in San Francisco, most groups are transition groups, most are leaderless – decide on theme for the next month; checkin; enjoy being a peer group. Have not had issues with people who really need therapy.

Mara – DC “rewiring” meeting has been a very popular format, though it’s not a peer group – different people come each month. She can share information about rewiring discussions though they’re not for major life experiences.

Rae-Carole Fisher – leads an NYC bereavement group

Central Ohio –Carol - SuzanneBraun Levine program in early April was very successful; about 130 people at the program. People paid increased price at the door.

The chapter launched its first small group in January, a writers’ group. New special interest groups launched in April focus on volunteering, theater, travel peer groups.

Intergenerational program – focus on mentoring; Otterbein Univ. – women’s leadership initiative. Program will provide resources and information…but not launch a TTN-led mentoring program

New idea - monthly cash mob – go to local businesses, bring people @ off-hours who are prepared to spend at least $20. Hope to attract attention from local media as well as newcomers – an easy way to bring a friend.

Philadelphia – Jean - Mix of peer and special interest groups is changing – more people want the special interest groups rather than the general transition groups. Developing three local organizations to partner with – led by Mary Klein. The chapter’s first Day of Service will focus ona nonprofit called Career Wardrobe.

May 14 – two-night “women and comedy” project – local theater director is interviewing women about the role of comedy in their lives.

Work-in-progress – a team at the University of Pennsylvania’s Masters of Applied Positive Psychology Program (MAPP) including Pat Snyder of central Ohio focused on an assessment instrument that helps people understand and develop their resiliency skills. The chapter is piloting a program to introduce that instrument which we hope to roll out nationally.

San Francisco – Feedback on Paris program: Arlene - Linda Sicher – I love the idea of going to Paris with other women, but I wasn’t interested in that much of a focus on art. Del – sounds great, we’ve promoted it – some of us just can’t afford to go. Could promote by post-card.

Very successful Marc Freedman program, sold out at 200 people, in partnership with the Commonwealth Club, SF Village and Coming of Age. Launching a new Caring Collaborative program in the city of San Francisco, building on the success of its East Bay group.

Peer groups continue to thrive – have been successful with pop-up groups that meet once or a few times. One on “to gray or not to gray” – who’s done what and why?

Other discussion

Marlene – would like to get info on what each chapter does about volunteer activities. She and Betsy will put together a questionnaire.

Del - Security certificate message is still an issue for people with IE browsers. Betsy will follow up with programmers. Note as of 5/21 – we have resolved the recurring security certificate issue, though people may still get a certificate warning ONE TIME. Please tell them it’s OK to click through it.

The chapter is just getting started with Constant Contact – Del created a newsletter template which took forever. Have problems working with it, adding photos, adding text. Betsy will have Cathy Carrington follow up with regard to online help and support services.

Betsy Werley updates on national issues

1)Financials – with the dues assessment and membership growth, the national organization has resolved our 2012 cash flow issues and is building toward breakeven for our 2013 budget.

A related issue – the planning team is continuing to meet, and is preparing recommendations to be discussed with the board at its June 25 meeting.

2)Website – the team has resolved a number of issues. As of Monday, the major issues on our list relate to renewal e-mails, Contact Us mailbox, missing data (specifically expiration dates before 2011, member profiles), minor issues with business card listing, member information display. We also lost 2 days to an unexpected website issue and are now testing to ensure that everything that worked before is still working. I’ll provide updates regularly as we continue the work.

3)AAUW collaboration– If you’re interested in connecting with one or more AAUW chapters in your area, please let me know. AAUW’s focus is advocacy on topics including equal pay, domestic violence, student loans and STEM careers (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) – see their website at They are a potential partner for programs and offer many tools for people to take action on causes, including their “Two Minute Advocate.”

4)Getting the word out through class notes and career transition panel discussions – re-sending my recommendations:

Class notes suggested paragraph: I’ve been busy as a Steering Committee member/chapter lead for The Transition Network, a national nonprofit for women over 50 exploring what’s next (). TTN offers programs and peer support groups in 12 locations around the country. Our book Smart Women Don’t Retire – They Break Free is a great resource.

Career transition panel discussions for your alumni and professional organizations. Those groups are always looking for programs, and those panels are easy to put together. They're a soft-sell approach that lets a lot of people know about TTN and positions you as a resource.

Potential title: The Inside Story - Finding Your Next Job at 50+

Structure: Moderator (you?) and 2/3 panelists with different backgrounds (entrepreneur, someone who changed paying jobs recently, went back to school, transitioned to the nonprofit/government sector). If someone in the chapter does career counseling, she would be a good resource as well – she could even be the moderator.

Background information – find out about local organizations that help people with job search and computer training… Jewish Vocational Services organizations are a good resource if they operate in your community; local libraries often have classes and a wealth of resources.

Create a handout with books, websites, local resources; I will put together a master resource list that you can supplement.

Timing: Ideally 90 minutes but you can do it in 60 with 2 panelists

Agenda:

Opening remarks (10 minutes) –
Panelists – each comment on one success factor in their most recent job change (5 minutes each)
Facilitator questions – 15 minutes…for instance
What were the key things you were looking for – salary, health benefits, flexibility, intellectual challenge, being part of a team
Was ageism a factor, something you had to overcome If so, how did you overcome it
How did you learn about your job and get the interview
What role does networking play…and what advice do you have on networking
Audience Q&A – all but 5 minutes of the remaining time
Closing remarks –one piece of advice from each speaker (5 minutes)

5)TTN soundbites and one-page description – the group agreed that those materials were useful. Comments are welcome!