Blog by Margaret Clark, SI Middlesbrough
Outgoing Director Chevonne Agana delivered the session with a focus on ’Change’ in an informal setting with chocolates, flowers and fruit, sitting as if having afternoon tea.
It was Chevonne’s final session as she finished her term of Office. She told the story of how she joined Soroptimists 12 years ago in the Caribbean. Young, unmarried, not the usual type to join, and said,” Who would believe 12 years later she would be Director of Membership.”
The theme for the Conference, ‘Climate for Change’, was not only to be on the environment as we know, but on Climate for Change in Soroptimists. Membership focus is on change. Change is always a challenge but also an opportunity.
With the declining membership a closer look at what we are doing is essential and as Chevonne said, “What are we going to do? There is a need for change.” Being the best kept secret is a double edge sword. It gives you a surprise, a secret, and challenges you to think, “How do you know who you are and what you do?”
We were informed there was good news and the bad news!
The good news was we were all going to leave with good news and ideas. The bad news we were all going to do the work!
Collectively Soroptimists have 100 Years of wisdom. Using this wisdom opportunities are created differently in different areas.
A question was raised. Why are we forming new Clubs? What’s the point if we can’t retain members?
What is the root cause? The exit surveys highlight the need for change.
To address this Chevonne explained styles of leadership and likened to different types of parenting skills.
It was suggested we look for the best style to suit the situation. The authoritarian style creates rules and boundaries but still allows personality. Rules are not prescriptive but provide guidelines enabling clubs to flourish as they want to.
The question is, how do you make them work? What are we doing together. We do not all have to do the same. We need guidelines and know how to use them.
Meaningful Programme Action work is essential. Do we know who we are? What do we stand for ? What are we selling?
It was suggested we look at what people consume; look at reviews, purchasing decisions etc. This is how informed decisions are made these days.
Women look at the voluntary organisation options before they select.
So what do we look like? What are we doing? Volunteerism means different things to different people.
Soroptimists need to be clear through their work what we are doing. Be BOLD, use controversial issues.
Our work is what sells us.
Ensure our wisdom is not lost, share whilst allowing new and younger members to become Soroptimists.
Some say there are too many face to face meeting, but the E- club option is not for everyone. How do we address these problems? There is no one way. Do what works for your club and members. Every club is unique. How can we flourish?
What’s the root cause of the problem?
Members were asked to discuss in pairs or groups the following
- Ageing Membership
- Personality issues within clubs
- Perception of extensive bureaucracy within the organisation
- Lack of engagement among club members
- Lack of meaningful programme action work
- Too many meetings/ inconvenient meetings
The interactive session was welcomed but found there was not enough time for our enthusiastic and verbose members to address all the points.
Feedback informed us of various club case studies and how they were addressing the different issues.
These included mentoring and buddying; use of café meetings to include Mothers after they had dropped children off to school and enabled great Programme work at a convenient time; one club said members were coerced to join by relatives!; friends invited to social evenings; An inter generational club had members aged 37-64 years
Chevonne’s recommendation was to say to younger members, “This is how we have done it, but if you have new ideas we can integrate ……”
Great words to remember.
Northampton have a Women’s Council Local Forum which creates a healthy environment for SI Northampton’s club which includes younger members
Why are we?
- Wanted meetings to fit around our lives
- Wanted a ‘ light touch’ and flexible approach
- Wanted an emphasis on action not, not bureaucracy
- Wanted to create a space for younger members
An idea of an Entry Survey, (as well as the existing Exit Survey) was suggested asking, “Why have you joined?” If the needs of new members are not met then you won’t keep them. Something to work on.
It was agreed we should value our differences. Senior Soroptimists have guided us. We are standing on their shoulders. Young give enthusiasm, energy and ideas for change. We are all passionate to seize the day. Currently we can’t stand with a road map. We have to be flexible, value and respect each other, ask for wisdom from people that know it.
Talk about Soroptimists. Spread the word and hope.
Change the way you meet.
An introduction to the E – Club was presented by Rachel Weinhold. Congratulations on introducing change. For full information see the website sigbi.org.
Believe Soroptimists will be there in another 100 years time.
- Now is the time
- Seize the day
- Implement Soroptimist Climate Change
- This is how we have done it , but if you have new ideas we can integrate ……”
- Be the change you want to see.