NFRW Workshop Reports
WFRW 2nd Vice President Mary Jane Olson
DD Coordinator & Club Development Chair
czarina@wfrw.org
NFRW TECHNOLOGY WORKSHOP: Vincent Harris, presenter
Vincent Harris, Founder of Harris Media, LLC has more than six years of online experience. He is a frequent guest speaker on a variety of New Media issues and has traveled to multiple states to teach candidates and elected officials how to utilize the Internet. He was one of two staff members hired by the Huckabee
Campaign specializing in on-line communications.
In the technology workshop, we were cautioned about several social sites—Twitter, FaceBook, etc. The primary concern is the content you post yourself. Keep in mind that every word you type and send will be available for the general public to see and read forever or until the end of time, whichever comes first!
Remember that all cameras are able to project on the Internet. What seems funny and innocent at age 21 may come across as childish, risqué and irresponsible when you are 31 and may affect the way people view you personally and professionally. Prospective employers and firms that do background checks all have access to Internet profiles.
Seriously, even though a site assures you that your information is confidential, hackers are constantly devising new ways of breaking through firewalls and security programs.
It is reported that “we” are winning on Twitter! (See my comments on
Nan Malin.) In the last Presidential campaign, pundits credited the Obama camp’s success with their proficient use of social networking, i.e. Twitter and Facebook, and instant messaging on all those cell phones that we can’t live without. Republicans were slower to catch on but, for the moment, we are not only there but hanging on for dear life.
Now there are actually web services that allow you to “manage” your social networking sites – check out
www.hootsuite.com to see what I mean. In simplistic terms, Hootsuite is kind of like a filing cabinet where you have your Twitter account in one file, Facebook in another, etc. Or like a closet where you keep your blouses, sweaters, skirts all hung separately, and according to color.
Blogs, or “web logs”, are gaining popularity every day. These are web pages where you may go to
1) voice your opinion on a given issue, or 2) learn what others are saying about issues. Popular ones are: RedState (www.redstate.com) and Daily Kos.
There are also web sites that will help you create your own blog with specific instructions that are easy to follow:
www.blogger.com,
www.typepad.com,
www.wordpress.com and more. Keep in mind that Congress is tracking blogs to see what the people are saying! Congress is actually taking the temperature of the Nation by monitoring comments on blogs!
There are many pluses for using email and websites that offer free programs to advertise and enhance your clubs. Email is considered the most successful way to keep your members informed, advertise your organization and collect money!
QUICK TIPS:
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Beware of online/pop-up ads! They collect email addresses and sell their lists.
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When sending emails, mention your website at least once.
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Create a “signature” which automatically adds your name, your contact information, and your club’s website.
- If your club does not have a website, use
www.wfrw.org.
Mr. Vincent also gave a valuable tip for those clubs that have websites but lack the tools to take contact information from visitors. Check out
www.wufoo.com for a free online contact form. With just a little knowledge, a little patience, and some understanding, you will be able to have an interactive website which will greatly enhance your ability to communicate with prospective members!
MEMBERSHIP WORKSHOP: Toni Dashielle, presenter
Toni Dashielle is a smart, fast-talking, personable and congenial young woman who is clearly moving up and along in NFRW. (Please see
www.wfrw.org/NFRW_magazine/TRWFall09.pdf. Then go to page 15.) She is president of the Texas Federation and they walked away with many awards at the NFRW Convention. Toni personally received the 3rd annual Ronald Reagan Leadership Award.
Her talk focused on advertising your club by using t-shirts, pins (Ask Me About My Republican Women’s Club), pens personalized with your club’s name, sending post cards, buying ads in local papers, writing articles and letters to the editor.
When out and about, don’t hesitate to engage strangers in conversations. (You’ve heard me talk about getting chatty with your favorite grocery checker and visiting with others in waiting rooms.) Toni stressed that our Republican beliefs are a lifestyle – not a once-in-a-lifetime event! In other words, promote yourself as a Republican in your daily life, live it and talk about your values. As GOP Chairman Michael Steele advises, “Wear your GOP proud!”
Most all of us have participated in doorbelling for candidates, right? How
about a few months before your spring or fall (or both) membership drive,
consider doing a “block walk” for your club! You may be able to get a list of
Republican women from your local county party. Another source is voter database of those who chose Republican presidential ballots in 2008. (Hint: I just happen to still have that file stored on my computer.) You can simply extract the addresses which are local to your area and prepare a walking list from that. Pick a sunny afternoon and then a couple of you go out knocking on doors and invite the lady of the house to attend your membership drive event. If she’s not home, leave a printed invitation or postcard.
Make your membership drives competitive. Offer an award for the member who does the most successful recruiting.
Also use the Quick Tips above – 2, 3, and 4, whenever you send emails. You never know who will be sharing your message with others and it may be a distinct advantage if your name and contact information is available to future recipients.
If you are proficient on Twitter, FaceBook, Smart Girl Politics, etc., always announce your meeting giving the date, time and location. This is free advertising for your club.
Be sure that you always have a sign-in sheet at your meeting and have EVERYONE sign in! Be sure that guests are informed about your sign-in sheet and ask for their contact information.
And then follow up with the guests to invite them to another meeting or event.
Stay in touch with them and always make them feel welcome.
Once that new member signs up and pays her membership fee, BE SURE SHE RECEIVES YOUR CLUB MEMBERSHIP PACKET!
If you BE SURE to do the simple things, you won’t BE SORRY and kick yourself later!
Now, I’ve kind of embellished some of the information about the workshops with my own thoughts and, if you’ve already heard our presentation, “Come Fly With Me,” it will sound familiar. By the way, we were one of only 10 states to receive an Honorable Mention Award for our membership recruitment program, “Come Fly With Me.”
NEW MEMBER PACKET: Courtesy Republican Women of Whatcom County
The final thought I want to leave with you is this: does your club offer a New Membership Packet for new members? If not, you should – make it a priority in 2010 to give one to every new member and perhaps even the current members. Chances are none of your members have ever received a packet that educates them on the long, honorable history of their club, the Washington Federation of Republican Women and the National Federation of Republican Women.
While we’re at it, do all members have copies of your by-laws? Some clubs include it in their membership rosters – some do not. Consequently often the only time a member sees a copy of the by-laws is when – and if – they are reviewed and/or revised to accommodate an issue.
The Republican Women of Whatcom County have a New Member Packet that can be used as a model for your club. It contains:
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A welcome letter
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Name tag order form
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“Bright Idea” form
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“We Want You” committee description sheet
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New member survey
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Campaign Volunteer Award packet
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Club By-laws
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Pocket Constitution (contains the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution)
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Elephant pin
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Business card
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Directory & Resource Guide (current officers, committee chairs, resources, roster, campaign award policy)
- WFRW “Courtesy” Guidelines for Effective Meetings
You could also include a copy of your current club newsletter.
If you are interested in what this membership packet looks like, please email me. I’ll send you a scan of the contents.
Thanks!
