WINTER STATE CIP

January 2020

MNWT State President

Cathy Shuman

9640 Goodrich Ave NE

Monticello, MN 55362 612.812.9198

(call or text)

president@mnwt.org

www.mnwt.org

INSIDE THIS ISSUE: President’s Letter / CSC

hours

3rd trimester recognition /

Focus on Straight River WT

LOTS / Key Dates for 3rd tri-

mester and end of year

Buddy Connection System

E.C. aid / Foundation Gala /

MNWT webinar

Connection Packets / 3rd tri

membership recognition /

membership renewals & dues

3rd Tri President Challenge /

Monthly reports / Success

Bonus Points

Year-end Evaluation & Guide-

lines for local presidents

Training Your Successor

USWT Rocket Award submis-

sion

Dear Chapter Presidents,

I’m so excited at all that was accomplished during 2nd trimester! I received many monthly reports from local presi-dents letting me know about the projects that you were involved in and the socials that you held. Great effort! We added 2 new chapters in December and we grew for 2nd trimester!

Here are a few updates to keep you and your chapter connected for 3rd trimester: • Local President Monthly Report: Please continue to keep me

informed each month by submitting your report. It doesn’t take very long to complete. The link to the form is on the president’s page of the MNWT website.

• Presidential Pin and Medallion nominations: The response was outstanding for 2nd trimester! Thanks to those chap-ters that sent in nominations.

• Buddy Connection Calls: State staff was matched up with buddy chapters and phone calls were made to a number of chapter presidents in 2nd trimester. A list of chapters and buddies is in this CIP and we’ll be calling again. You are wel-come to contact your staff buddy too.

• Making Connection Packets: Packets were distributed with your Winter State CIPs and I encourage you to check them out and hold a “Shine Among the Stars” event during 3rd trimester. Final chance to participate in my President Chal-lenge and earn a nice incentive.

• Trimester 3 State Webinar: Calling all chapters to take part in the next state webinar on Wednesday, February 26th from 6 to 8 pm. Topics will include succession/leadership plan-ning and Community Connection Awards.

I am always willing to help you out and maybe visit too,

so don’t hesitate to contact me. I’m looking forward to “Making Connections” during 3rd trimester.

Cat

Looking for information? Need help? Contact the Chapter Service Center

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday ~ 11 AM to 4 PM Call Executive Director Katie Castro at 952.406.8578

or email her at csc@mnwt.org

Key Dates:

Many Chapter Information

Packets (CIPs) from staff members

or State Program Managers

(SPMs) include a listing of some

key dates in their area. As Chap-

ter President, it is important for

you to consider key dates for all

areas, so I refer you to the

Statewide Calendar that can be

found online at www.mnwt.org

under the Events page. There is

both a PDF copy as well as an

electronic version. You can print

the PDF and include in your Chap-

ter Handbook. I encourage

you to reference the state calen-

dar often so you don’t miss any

dates.

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MORE Chapter President Fast Starts (completed but missing in my Fall State CIP)

Linda Nindorf, Duluth Rhonda Eckhart, Monticello Rita Johnson, New Hope

Chapter President—2nd Trimester Challenge Michelle Cloutier, Burnsville

Closeout—Gift Card Winners

Barb Monsrud, Greenbush

Andrea Schue, Warroad

Linda Nindorf, Duluth

Jen Kinzer, Aitkin

Sally Koltes, Melrose

Michelle Marotzke, Willmar

Janet Hall, Hutchinson

Sara Novak, Rice

Connie Fink & Rhonda Eckhart, Monticello

Sandy Trossen, Sauk Rapids

Wendy Homyak, Champlin

Jeny Ohr, Coon Rapids

Rita Johnson, New Hope

Michelle Clouthier, Burnsville

Brenda Nommenson, St James

JoAnn Miller & Sheila Geier, Byron

Cindy Golbuff, Glenville

Please check out the MNWT Admin-istration Facebook page and “like” it

so you may stay updated on the latest happenings.

FEATURED FOCUS … Straight River Women of Today Chapter

The Straight River Women of Today holds a unique place in our organization. Members of this chapter deal with developmental challenges, while they live productive lives and make a differ-ence in their community and surrounding areas. This chapter is led by Gary and Cherry Schwartz who are devoted to their members and their mission. This group has been in existence for many years and has donated thousands of dollars to local charities and non-profits. They originated the MNWT Foundation’s Straight River scholarship and regularly donate to the fund. A featured project of the Straight River Women of Today is the annual “Camp Along Clean Athon” held at Camp Friendship in Annandale over Memorial Weekend. They bring campers from their chapter and invite other helpers to remove brush and fallen trees in the Nature Center and trails and attend to other projects, as needed. They arrive Friday evening and work starts around 9 am on Saturday and runs until about 4 pm. Gary and Cherry would love to have Women of To-day members from any chapter take part in this year’s “Camp Along Clean Athon.” You can show up for Saturday, May 23rd only (they provide breakfast and lunch) ~ if you stay for the day, you can bring a dish to share for a potluck dinner when the work is done. If you are interested in coming for the weekend, there are cabins to stay in or camping facilities are available (electric, but no water/sewer hookups). The weekend runs from Friday evening to Monday noon and most meals are provided. If you are interested or would like more information, please contact Gary and Cherry by email at presike2@live.com or call (507) 363-1834 or (507) 451-6676.

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KEY DATES FOR YOU — THIRD TRIMESTER AND YEAR END JANUARY

31 Chapter President monthly report due

FEBRUARY

5 MN State Sales Tax filing due to MN Dept of Revenue

26 MNWT Trimester Webinar (register online)

29 Chapter President monthly report due

MARCH

5 Newslet articles due to newslet@mnwt.org

7 Finance Committee meeting, Monticello (tentative)

10 Presidential pin and medallion nominations due for Area Meetings 14 March Planning, Arrowwood Lodge, Baxter

15 Early Bird renewals due postmarked to CSC

21 State Committee Meetings (place TBD)

27 Area 2 meeting ~ Lions Building, Rice (registration form in COB CIP)

28 Area 1 meeting ~ United Methodist Church, Bemidji (registration form in COB CIP)

30 Membership Monday ~ “Let’s Flamingle” for AVP Ille’s birthday! 31 Chapter President monthly report due

APRIL

1 Key Woman nominations for Annual convention due to Key Woman President

Chapter/District/Exec Council president scrapbook pages due to PA President year-end gift donations due to PA

3 Area 3 meeting ~ Valley of Peace Church, Golden Valley (registration form in COB CIP)

4 Area 4 meeting ~ Trinity Lutheran Church, Albert Lea (registration form in COB CIP)

7 President Cat’s birthday ~ Hold a birthday/unbirthday social in April to celebrate!

15 All renewals due postmarked to CSC

Community Connections Award nominations to CC@mnwt.org 19-25 National Volunteer Week

24 Individual Evaluations due emailed to PVP@mnwt.org

30 Chapter President monthly report due

All certifications due to L&L SPM

Programming Trimester report due to PVP Project of the Trimester and Outstanding Program Manager nominations due to SPMs

President pin and medallion nominations due for Annual convention

MVP 3rd trimester challenge due

Closeout for 3rd trimester AND year-end (chapter presidents call CSC and win gift cards!)

MAY 1 All certifications and Outstanding Achievement in Programming due to USWT PVP

2 LOTS, Monticello

5 Effective Speaking registration due to L&L SPM

3rd trimester Success submission due to Success Coordinator

Newslet articles due to newslet@mnwt.org 14-17 Annual Convention, Arrowwood Resort, Alexandria

22 Finance Committee meeting (place TBD)

31 Chapter President monthly report due

JUNE

5-7 MNJOTS 11-14 USWT National Year-end Convention, Staples MN

LOTS—Local Officer Training Session LOTS is a great training opportunity for your chapter officers. LOTS includes individual officer training as well as time for specialized board training. Encourage your board members to attend this informative training. LOTS will be held May 2nd at Resurrection Lutheran Church in Monticello. Please see the CMVP CIP for details and registration form.

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State Staff/Chapter Buddy Connections

Each chapter has been matched with a state staff member in a Buddy Connection System. The intent is to provide a social con-tact between you and a state staff team member each trimester. About midway through the trimester, chapter presidents should expect a call from their staff buddy. We’ll ask you a few ques-tions and you can share your thoughts and ideas. We’ll gather the suggestions and requests and use that information for to learn how we can make your Women of Today experience a bet-ter one. If you don’t hear from your staff buddy, you can also contact me (President Cat). You are also welcome to email your staff buddy, if you wish.

MNWT STAFF / CHAPTER BUDDY CONNECTION SYSTEM

President Cat president@mnwt.org

Byron Duluth Eden Prairie Glenville Savage Area

AVP Ille avp@mnwt.org

Greenbush Jackson Benson East Central (Mora) White Bear Lake

PVP Melissa pvp@mnwt.org

Hutchinson Fridley Maple Grove Warroad Area

CMVP Barb Z cmvp@mnwt.org

Albany Eastern Carver County Champlin Elk River Area St Joseph Staples Motley Area

Parli Wendy parli@mnwt.org

Big Lake Longville Roseau Slayton

FVP Amy fvp@mnwt.org

Avon Burnsville Madelia Sauk Rapids St Michael-Albertville

COB Brenda cob@mnwt.org

Brainerd Lakes Area Coon Rapids Lake of the Woods Thief River Falls Willmar

MVP Lisa mvp@mnwt.org

Aitkin Montevideo Rice St James Straight River Windom

PA Barb B pa@mnwt.org

Fairmont Morris Area New Hope Red Lake Falls St Cloud

Secretary Christine secretary@mnwt.org

Anoka Blooming Prairie Hanska Virginia

Extensions Jenise extensions@mnwt.org

Brooklyn Park Hawley Melrose Area Monticello New Ulm Rogers-Otsego-Dayton

These are the Buddy Con-nection Chapters and Staff assigned for 2019-2020. Staff will make calls to their Buddy chapters each tri-mester.

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Utilizing Executive Council Members – Contact us anytime.

Did you know that you can utilize Executive Council members for assistance and training needs that you may have? For

example, District Directors should be the go-to person for chapter presidents. They are a key resource to answer

your questions and help you through difficulties. State Program Managers are usually willing to come and speak on

their respective area or they could provide resources on projects in their area.

Staff members will also come to your aid in any way possible. Here’s who you could contact:

• Membership concerns, contact Membership VP Lisa Hahn (mvp@mnwt.org)

• Chapter management concerns and issues, contact Chapter Mgmt VP Barb Zeroth (cmvp@mnwt.org)

• Interest or questions regarding extensions, contact Extensions Dir Jenise Teske (extensions@nwt.og

• Programming questions and concerns, contact Programming VP Melissa Redzuan (pvp@mnwt.org)

• District concerns and State Delegate assistance, contact Administrative VP Ille Miller (avp@mnwt.org)

• Questions on meetings or parliamentary procedure, contact Parliamentarian Wendy Lindberg

(parli@mnwt.org)

• Questions regarding minutes and other secretarial items, contact Secretary Christine Sibilleau

(secretary@mnwt.org)

• Financial, budget, and ways & means questions, contact Financial VP Amy Pumper (fvp@mnwt.org)

• Anything else? Contact President Cat Shuman (president@mnwt.org)

MNWT Trimester Webinar — February 26th

MNWT will be hosting its 3rd trimester webinar on Wed, February 26th starting at 6 pm. To participate, register in advance through the

MNWT website. (Chapters that participate can earn Success bonus points.) The schedule is not finalized yet. However, 2 of the topics will be: Succession/

Leadership Planning and Community Connection Awards. Check the website for more information.

Sessions will be interactive with allowance for questions from the audience. Materials presented should be available through the MNWT website following the webi-

nar.

MNWT 70th Anniversary Gala Fundraiser

Save the Date: October 17, 2020

Arrowwood Lodge at Brainerd Lakes, Baxter, MN

Early Bird $55 per person – received by April 15, 2020. Cost is only $70 per person from April 15 to September 1. However, the minimum number for this event is 75 peo-

ple. If we do not receive 75 registrations by June 1, the event will be canceled. Regis-trations after September 1, 2020 will be $80. Enjoy special entertainment from Gram-my and Dove-nominated Singer Gary Timbs with Dawn Timbs. You won’t want to miss

this wonderful event! Contact foundation@mnwt.org for ticket sales and information.

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“Making Connections” Packet

Get your hands on your chapter’s 3rd trimester packet

and you can “Shine Among the Stars”

In an effort to supply chapters with simple, low cost, crea-

tive, and useful membership tools, the MNWT President

and the MNWT membership team create unique Con-

nection Packets that are delivered each trimester with

your CIPs. We want to help you with the challenging task

of making an impact. The more your name is seen within

your community, the easier it will be for you to recruit and

support your community. Your Connection Packet will

share ideas on events to hold, where to hold them, and

how to market your chapter. Check your Chapter Infor-

mation Packets (CIPs) for a manila envelope marked

Connection Packet or check with your District Director.

Guidelines and ideas are included in your Connection

Packet along with star templates to use in marketing your

simple but shining event.

The return on utilizing your Connection Packet?

• An opportunity to showcase your chapter within the

community.

• An opportunity to expand your reach and partner up

with other organizations.

• An opportunity to find simple and creative social, vol-

unteering, and fundraising ideas.

• An opportunity to find and recruit members.

Bonus: Hold an event in your community during 3rd tri-

mester using the Winter State Connection Packet and

you will have completed one step in your Chapter Presi-

dent 3rd trimester challenge!!

2019-2020 Renewal Due Dates

Early Bird Renewals are due postmarked to the Chapter Service center the fifteenth (15th) day of the third month of each tri-

mester.

July 15th (Trimester 1) November 15th (Trimester 2) March 15th (Trimester 3)

On-time renewal dates are due postmarked the fifteenth (15th) day of the fourth month of each trimester:

August 15th (Tri 1) December 15th (Tri 2) April 15th (Tri 3)

As is the case for every month of the year, all new member information must be IN HAND the last day of each month to be in-

cluded in that month. All additional renewal information and new members must be IN HAND by the last day of the Trimester to

be included in that trimester. (Aug 31, Dec 30 and April 30). Begin the renewal process now and get your renewals in early!

Dues Billing for 2nd Trimester

Keep a watch for the Dues Billing for 3rd Trimester. Those should be mailed by the time you receive this CIP or shortly after con-

venton. Remember that your renewal trimester is figured according to your join date.

MNWT Membership

3rd Trimester Recognition

Retention: All chapters that have a 75% or

higher retention rate in 3rd trimester will be

recognized at Annual Convention.

In-Chapter Extension: A chapter that has 4

or more new members in one month will

be recognized at Annual Convention with

an in-chapter extension.

Early Bird Recognition: All chapters that

submit 75% or more of their overall total

renewals by the early bird deadline will be

recognized at Annual Convention.

Membership Monday: All chapters that

participate in a March 30th Membership

Monday event and send an email with a

photo from the event to mvp@mnwt,org

will be entered into a drawing for a Mem-

bership Surprise Gift. *Remember, it is AVP

Illeana’s birthday that day, so you just may

want to incorporate something to do with

flamingos for an added bonus gift. ☺

Membership Team and Foundation Appre-

ciation: Chapters that achieve GROWTH

+2 for 3rd trimester will receive a $20 State

Store Gift Certificate that will be good for 2

trimesters, courtesy of the MNWT Founda-

tion.

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Minnesota Women of Today 3rd Trimester SUCCESS Presidential bonus points

2019-2020

Submit a Nomination for a Community Connections Year End Award (50 pts)

and/or

Hold an M Event and Sign 3 New Members for 3rd Trimester (50 pts)

and/or

Reach 85% Retention for 3rd Trimester (50 pts)

and/or

Donate $70 or more to MNWT Ways and Means for the 70th Anniversary Challenge (50 pts)

and/or

Have 2 Members of your Chapter Attend the February Statewide Webinar (25 pts)

and/or

Submit a Chapter Article to the State NEWSLET (25 pts)

and/or

Donate $25 or more for one of these Programming Foundations ~ make check to MNWT

and mail to Chapter Service Center (25 pts):

• Wishes and More - Priority Area

• Brain Injury Alliance of MN – Women’s Wellness

• Boys and Girls Clubs of MN – Youth of Today

Maximum of 100 bonus points!

Third Trimester Challenge — Chapter Presidents

• Use your “Making Connections” packet to host a social event in your community or chapter during 3rd

Trimester. (Look for manila envelope included with your Winter State CIPs.)

• Participate in a Membership Monday event during the week of March 30th or hold a Birthday/

Unbirthday Party Social in April to celebrate State President Cat's birthday month.

• Submit your Local President Monthly reports for at least one month in 3rd trimester.

Describe or send a picture of what you did for these ~ submit to president@mnwt.org by April 30th.

Completing a Monthly President Report—due the last day of each month Please take the time to complete your President Monthly Report form which can be found on the MNWT website with a link on the President’s webpage. The online form is quite easy to complete and automatically goes to designated state staff when you press submit. You will also get a confirmation copy. (A PDF version is also available, if you prefer that.) I do take the time to read each of these and will respond to any questions or concerns that you share. I appreciate the time and effort you take to do these reports.

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Minnesota Women of Today

Chapter President Evaluation Form

The Mid-Year and Year End evaluations are MNWT tools provided to members in leadership positions to help increase

their ability to perform in such positions. The focus of this evaluation is on both the actions and accomplishments with-

in your position as well the results you achieved. (Guidelines are on the next page.)

This form can be submitted as a Word document or PDF file and emailed to pvp@mnwt.org

NAME:

EMAIL: PHONE:

CHAPTER: DISTRICT: AREA:

Is Your Chapter a 2 and Under Chapter? MNWT POSITION:

1. GOALS - For each goal below, what steps have you done to accomplish each goal including what progress you have made and changes made to meet each individual goal?

Goal 1 (goal involving membership):

Goal 2 (goal concerning meetings): Goal 3 (goal involving programming):

2. Describe your role/attendance/visitation at local, district, state or national meetings, committee meetings and trainings.

3. How did you promote membership? What were the results?

4. What resources available (trainings, CIP’s, manuals) have helped you in your position?

5. What would you like more training on or assistance with?

6. What has been your greatest challenge?

7. What has been your biggest success?

8. Is there anything you would like to have known before taking this position?

YEAR-END EVALUATION - LOCAL CHAPTER PRESIDENT Did you submit a mid-year evaluation? Good for you! No quitting now...you can submit

your year-end evaluation whether or not you submitted a mid-year. The form is shown be-

low and link is available on the MNWT website on the PVP webpage. Submission deadline

is April 24th — email to pvp@mnwt.org. Any questions? Contact PVP Melissa Redzuan or

CMVP Barb Zeroth for assistance. There’s an incentive in it for those who submit!

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Minnesota Women of Today

Individual Entry Evaluation Guidelines

1. Be sure to use the correct evaluation form. For chapter presidents and state delegates for newly chartered chap-ters, check the box that you are a 2 and under chapter. This includes newly chartered chapters after January 1 of the previous year.

2. Type the question and then the answer. There is no need to type what is in parenthesis. Using bullets under

each question is preferred and makes it easier for the reader.

3. Use phrases if possible to explain what you did. Use details in answering questions – be specific. Example: 10

invitations sent out. Visited 3 chapters first trimester.

4. The first time an abbreviation is used, it SHOULD be spelled out. After it is used the first time the abbreviation

may be used. Example: Chapter Information Packets (CIPs).

5. The evaluation should be no longer than 10 pages (not including substantiating material). Pages should be num-

bered.

6. Use margins of ½” (.50) or larger and font of 10 point or larger. A font style of Times New Roman or a similar

font is preferred for ease of reading.

7. Your entry should be professionally done and presented in a neat format.

8. Mid-Year Entry: Completing the mid-year allows you an opportunity to prioritize your year and make adjust-ments as needed. You will receive a review of your goals/performance and be offered encouragement and tips specific to your needs including suggestions for any changes you might want to make for your year-end entry. Remember, this feedback is to help you improve your entry and suggest ideas/implementation that you might not have thought about.

9. Year-End Entry: Completing the year-end allows you the opportunity to honestly review your year, share your accomplishments, and support your successor. By giving a copy of your year-end to your successor you will be helping them get a better understanding of their new position. Although all year-ends will be considered for an individual award, not all entries may receive one. The year-end entries will be evaluated by a group of reviewers and the state president. Gold, Silver and Bronze keys will be awarded at Annual Convention.

10. Your Year-End Entry should consist of the following:

• Limited to a 10 page typed entry, numbered

• Your personal Plan of Action (Goals and Implementation)

• You may include up to 5 pages of substantiating material; this helps to illustrate how you accomplished

your goals and strengthens your entry. It is not required but is recommended.

11. Entries should be emailed to the State Programming Vice President (PVP) at pvp@mnwt.org as either a word or

pdf document. There is no monetary fee required to submit.

SUBSTANTIATING MATERIAL (To be included in your Year-end Evaluation only)

1. A maximum of (5) pages is allowed. Examples: Chapter membership brochure, newspaper articles, pictures, etc.

2. Articles from newspapers, magazines etc. must show the name of the publication and the date published.

3. Photos must be labeled, with a brief description.

Your Personal Plan of Action (Goals and Implementation) is NOT part of your substantiating material.

Contact the Programming Vice President with questions.

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Training Your Successor

Although your role as chapter president continues until April 30, you need to take

the lead in helping your chapter prepare for the new year. Consider having your

newly-elected president assist you with preparing your March and/or April agenda

for your board meeting and general meetings. Mentor her by discussing what

takes place at board and general meetings and explain the difference. Here are some suggestions on ways you can

continue to be a leader in your chapter:

• Be supportive of the new officers. Be excited for the president and her goals. Remember your fears and ques-

tions at the beginning of the year and assist her to be more successful by sharing what you felt was successful and

what you would do different.

• Schedule a board training with the outgoing and incoming board members. Outgoing officers could bring their

records and go over them with incoming officers.

• Check your files for training materials you received in the past year. Make copies and review them with the in-

coming president. Training that could be discussed: material from LOTS, district trainings, president round tables,

CIPs, President Mailings, etc.

—Offer any information on building and leading a team;

—How to run successful, efficient meetings—having agendas, allowing proper timing, following parliamentary

procedure, including fun and energizing activities, inviting speakers, presenting awards/recognition; and

—Chapter Management—review the Success form and explain its use as a chapter management tool, share any

materials dealing with chapter management issues such as conflict resolution, motivating members, orienta-

tions, etc. Be sure to share where some of these materials are located - in print or online on the MNWT

website.

• Clean and organize your chapter files and turn them over immediately.

—Throw away president reports you sent to the District Director—they may include confidential, personal

information that you do not want shared.

—Provide extra copies of forms she will need—report forms, district award forms, presidential pin/medallion

forms, etc. and make sure she knows where to locate these on the website.

—Share your organizational and time management methods with her.

—Help prepare a tentative chapter calendar of events. Make sure she is aware of dates, such as LOTS, district

orientation, deadlines for Fast Start, reports, Success, pin/medallion nominations, and also share with her

which individuals are responsible for other important deadlines such as Early Birds, renewals, and other

such items.

• The extent of training you provide to her may depend upon the length of time she has been a member, whether

she attends any training sessions that are offered through the district and state, or if she has served in a chapter

board position before. Although she may receive training from various sources, be sure to help her get a jump

start by reviewing critical information with her now. If she is successful, the chapter will also benefit.

• Consider offering your assistance where it is needed. However, be careful to not overstep the bound as mentor

or you will find that you are both frustrated. Offer your assistance and if it is declined, accept that response with

no judgment.

• Strongly suggest that she plan and prepare a chapter Plan of Action. By preparing this useful tool at the begin-

ning of the year, the stage is set for direction within the chapter along with a growth plan and calendar for the

year. This helps everyone know the goals for the coming year and what to expect. By being informed, chapter

members will typically be more supportive and ensure that they can participate as much as possible because they

will have a chapter road map for the year.

• Be honest with her! Let her know what worked for you and what did not. Give a copy of your year-end evalua-

tion to her as that should provide a great deal of what you have learned throughout the year.

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