Guide for WithIt Chapter Leaders

Welcome! As a chapter leader, you are the contact person and representative of WithIt in your area. WithIt Chapter leaders work with and through the Vice President of Connections.

One Clear Goal: To Build Membership and connection through events or interaction.

There will be no shortage of ideas and suggestions for activities. Compare each idea to the WithIt mission and plan events that are good for  professional connections.

• Begin With a Game Plan

You are the leader. Begin with your own written plan or calendar. Talk with current and former leaders and review past agendas to get a good idea of member needs as you formulate your plan.

• You Are As Effective as Your Committee

Remember, until you have a Committee, you are Chair of everything, so gather your steering committee as quickly as possible. That core group may include official positions or you may just work as a team. Here are some suggestions:

1. Event Chair (Chapter Leader in training to replace you at the end of your term. Supports chapter leader in event planning)
2. Communications Chair (Email /Newsletter and social media – alerts members to events or just communicates with members)
3. Membership chair – Contacts perspective members to invite them to events and encourages them to join the organization.

• Your Job is To Lead, Direct, and Inspire

Trying to manage every activity can be daunting. So, your job is to begin to build a core group that enjoys connecting and brings new people. You will quickly notice those capable leaders on your team. Take advantage of them and remember that in one to two years you’ll need a successor. Keep your eyes open for potential national leadership. You will find that follow up is important.

Suggestion: Put follow up dates on your calendar to remind you monthly to check in on your committee members.

• Never Do What You Can Delegate

Encourage team members to be ‘doers’ and assume responsibility. As you work to establish and accomplish goals, decide what activities are critical to the success of an event and which are not. In the initial stages of regional development, you would be wise to personally work on tasks that are  critical and assign others to a teammate or Event Chair.

• Make the Committee Enjoyable

Network with other WithIt leaders and work smart. Take every opportunity to get to know your members personally, in pleasant and relaxed surroundings.

TYPES OF POSSIBLE EVENTS

1.     Networking / Social
Members confirm repeatedly that networking is the #1 benefit of WithIt.

2.   Membership Drive
In actuality, every event is a membership drive and an opportunity for members to bring colleagues and friends. Leverage the hard work, manpower and publicity put into every WithIt event to build membership.

3.     Education
Your region will likely have concerns and issues specific to your location. Brainstorm ideas with local members and your WithIt team. And be sure every topic/panel chosen directly supports the WithIt mission.

4.     Chapter Fund Raising
All Chapter events should be self-funded. There is a pool of donations funded by the voluntary $10 donations which the region can use to seed their events or projects. Since that amount is limited, finding hosts or sponsors for events can make the dollars go farther.

An example of how to use the regional donations: Attend a museum show together and everyone pays for their individual ticket. WithIt hosts drinks or appetizers following the show to discuss what people saw or learned.

WithIt’s bylaws require fees, sponsorships or donations to be received and held at national headquarters. Work with the Executive Director for collection (through the website or venmo) and reimbursement or payment of expenses.

WithIt’s VP of Connections, along with our Executive Director, can help you get started with ideas. Note information in “Event Planning” section.

5.   Annual Events

Through years of trial and outcome, WithIt Chapter leaders suggest you try you conduct the following:

• Major Market Events/Educational Events: Guest speaker or panel. Take advantage of dates and locations where women professionals gather, especially Market Centers and Showrooms where you can benefit from established efforts already bringing people together.
• Look for opportunities to partner with other furnishings organizations/events. Leverage WithIt board members and existing sponsors for speakers, presenters, panel members. Remember, you want the biggest bang for the fewest hours of your time. And you want topics/agendas attractive to members and sponsors.
• Special Educational Events with planned programs: Plan a guest speaker for a luncheon, tour an industry facility, visit a museum, meet on a campus with future leaders or have a day long retreat. The goal for these meetings is to learn, mentor and educate.
• Networking Events with no programs. Dutch dinners and lunches also work well with established members and invited guests. Drinks/Appetizers at a handy restaurant take little preparation but offer a chance to get to know one another better – whether four or twenty-four are in attendance.