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July 17, 2008
TO:2008-2009 State Board Members
FROM:Mary Parcheta, Co-President
SUBJECT:Board to Branch calls
Since we have had some changes in Board
positions, let me explain what the
BBC
program is and how it works.
Basically this program is a way for State
Board members to stay in contact with the branches in
Minnesota
. Since we have 33 branches in
Minnesota
, each Board member will call two or three Branch Presidents twice a year or another officer if it is difficult to reach the
President. Board members are encouraged to be a mentor and friend of the
branch and in a dialogue with the President find out how the branch is
doing and if there are issues that we could help with. All of us can
relate to how discouraging certain issues are and where do we turn for
help; also, we can reap some good solutions from branches that we can pass
onto other branches. We need to reiterate and encourage branches to
continue their great efforts in working toward the
mission of AAUW via programming and projects from their branches.
Remember the branches are truly the “grassroots” of the organization. In
keeping with our goal of developing closer relationships with our
branches, your responsibility is to encourage and support your branches
with guidance and advice as needed.
The goal of this program is to use it as a
networking tool and to make personal contact with EVERY
branch in
Minnesota
. After I receive the branch reports from State Board members, I will
compile these reports into an “Information Exchange” format that I will put on the website plus a
copy will go to board members and branch presidents. If a particular
project or idea looks intriguing or might be a fit for a branch, they are
encouraged to contact the Branch directly for more information or they may
choose to contact you, their mentor. We can all learn a great deal from
one another and we need to encourage this process. We have identified
branches through this program that are struggling and at a loss as to what
to do. You as mentors might also suggest successes you have heard about
from other branches. I truly believe our primary function as a State Board
is to serve and give direction to our branches.
I will get a dialogue of discussion points
for you to talk with your branches about prior to making your calls. If
you have questions you would like to have addressed to the branches,
please let me know. I will e-mail all State Board mentors within the month
on questions to address. If I could get your responses by early September,
I would really appreciate it so I can get my report finalized PRIOR
to the Board meeting. FYI branches look forward to hearing from their
State Board mentors and disappointed when they don’t
If you have questions and/or suggestions
about this program, please contact me via e-mail; mparch01@aol.com.
Attached is a guideline for reporting purposes and the
BBC
matrix..
Thank you for your participation in what we
feel is an extremely valuable resource for the State Board.
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