Women's Professional Forum

New Member Sponsor Packet

Contents:

I - Contacts & Resources

II - Information for Sponsors

The Role of All Sponsors

Eligibility to Sponsor

Primary Sponsors

Secondary Sponsors

III -Sponsor Recommendation Form

Note: Before starting the new member process, we recommend both sponsors and applicants download and review the WPF Policies and Procedures.

I - Contacts & Resources

Membership Committee:

Ashley Wigglesworth (Chair)336-314-9857

Lynn Smith(Chair Elect)

Amy

Laura Stroupe

Christie

Executive Assistant:

Carol 336-605-9108

WPF Websitewww.wpforum.org

II - Information for Sponsors

IMPORTANT: The Primary Sponsor is responsible for collecting theseven required documents/files for an applicant and submitting all of this information at one time via email to the Membership Chair. Incomplete submissions can delay the Membership Committee’s process and may impact acceptance of your applicant.

Eligibility to Sponsor:

  1. A WPF member is qualified tobe a primary sponsor for a new member after she has been Active for a least one year. (The membership year begins either March 1st or September 1st).
  2. A new member must be sponsored by three sponsors total. The primary sponsor must be an Active (including Active Retired) member.The two secondary sponsors may be Activeor Emeritus members.
  1. Qualified members can sponsor or co-sponsorNO MORE THAN TWO (2) new members in a calendar year. The year begins with the application deadline.
  1. Supporting members, members of the Membership Committee, and the WPF President may not serve as primary or secondary sponsors.

Sponsorship Eligibility Summary Table

Membership Status / Primary Sponsor / Secondary Sponsor
Active New Member (< 1 yr) / No / No
Active Member / Yes / Yes
Active Retired Member / Yes / Yes
Emeritus Member / No / Yes
Supporting Member / No / No

As a sponsor, you should understand the WPF membership criteria and goals, realizing that the scope ofexperience, achievements, and job responsibilities are important. The major strength of WPF is its diversified membership committed to active involvement, which enables the accomplishment of collective and personal goals.

All sponsors should know the applicant well enough to support her candidacy with integrity. You should decline sponsorship if you do not.

Primary Sponsor Responsibilities:

  • Download and read theWPF Policies and Procedures and study the sections related to membership.
  • Should you have questions regarding a potential applicant's suitability for membership, contact the Membership Chair or a member of the Membership Committee before asking the applicant to submit an application.
  • Ensure that the applicant meets the criteria for Active WPF membership (see P/P Section I.A.1.) and can comply with attendance requirements (P/P Section I.A.2.)
  • Determine the Occupational Field Category to which your candidate belongs (P/P Section I.A.5. and Section II.C.). Ascertain, through the Membership Chair or the Executive Assistant, that the Occupational Category of your applicant has not reached its quota (Section II.B.).
  • Secure two Secondary Sponsors. These should be Active or Emeritus members who already know the applicant or who have had significant WPF interactions with her. (To avoid possible embarrassment should they feel compelled to decline, please invite Secondary Sponsors in private.)
  • Host the applicant at a WPF luncheon meeting within twelve months of her application deadline (March or September). We strongly encourage you to introduce your applicant to at least one person on the Membership Committee.
  • Ensure the applicant attends the two additional luncheons (at least one with each of her Secondary Sponsors) before the application deadline.
  • Obtain from the applicant:
  1. The completed and signed New Member Application form
  2. A copy of her current resume, and
  3. Her professional headshot in JPEG format.
  • Send the applicant’s completed application, resume, and photo to the two Secondary Sponsors, guide them to the Sponsor Recommendation form (included in this document), and set a deadline for the return of the forms to you.
  • Complete your own Sponsor Recommendation form.
  • Write a 1-2 paragraph summary (Word format) about the applicant summarizing her scope of experience, achievements, job responsibilities, and professional accomplishments. The Membership Committee will use this paragraph for review of the applicant, presentation of the applicant to the WPF Board for their approval, and introduction to WPF members in the newsletter on the website.
  • Confirm you have all required documents for submission:
  1. The New Membership Application (PDF or Word format)
  2. The applicant's current resume
  3. Her professionalheadshot (JPEG format)
  4. Your 1-2 paragraph summary about the applicant (Word format)
  5. Your Recommendation form
  6. Recommendation form from Secondary Sponsor No. 1
  7. Recommendation form from Secondary Sponsor No. 2
  • Email all required documents/files to the Membership Committee Chair by the biannual deadline:

December 15th for membership beginning March 1st

June 15th for membership beginning September 1st

  • The Membership Committee will present its recommendations for new members to the WPF Board at its February and July meetings.
  • A Membership Committee member will contact you, the Primary Sponsor, regarding the outcome. This will only occur after the Board meetings in February and July. Once the applicant has been accepted, call or visit the new member to congratulate her. (She will also get official communication from the Membership Chair.)
  • New members are presented to the WPF membership at the March and September luncheon meetings. You, as her Primary Sponsor, will make a "live" introduction of her from the podium.
  • Escort your applicant to the New Member Social (usually in March/April or September/October). Make her feel welcomed and encourage WPF members to get to know her.
  • Make an effort to help the new member meet other WPF members and become active in our organization through committees, Special Interest Groups, socials, and special events.

Secondary Sponsors’ Responsibilities:

  • Do not sponsor (Primary or Secondary) more than two members in a calendar year.
  • Help the Primary Sponsor obtain information about the applicant, if needed.
  • Host the applicant at a WPF luncheon meeting within twelve months of her applying. We encourage you to introduce your applicant to at least one person on the Membership Committee.
  • Complete the Sponsor Recommendation for Prospective Member Form.
  • Meet the deadline set by the Primary Sponsor.

III - Sponsor Recommendation for Prospective Member

Deadlines for All Membership Documents
March 1st Membership
Deadline: December 15th / September 1st Membership
Deadline: June 15th
Applicant's Name:
Sponsor's Name:
Please furnish the Membership Committee with specific information as to:
1)How you know the prospective member
2)Why you think this applicant meets the criteria for membership
3)Why this applicant should be a member of WPF.
(Be specific so the Membership Committee will be able to understand the candidate’s suitability for membership)

I certify that the applicant attended a WPF Meeting as my guest.

Date of Attendance:
Sponsor's Signature:
/ Date:

WPF Membership Sponsor Packet – Updated November 17, 2016Page 1