Successful Planning

Here we are, on the eve of another club year. Clubs are in full swing with their planning process, and new committee chairs and officers are chomping at the bit to get their terrific ideas into place. I’m excited about it, too! I’ve heard a lot of great ideas for the coming year, and some interesting ways of planning.

A few reminders as you plan your year:

1.    Remember to review your club, district, and international strategic plan and officers’ goals, and develop projects and activities to support them.

2.    Review the criteria for the Mamie L. Bass Service Award, the Dr. Nina Fay Calhoun International Relations Award, and the Letha H. Brown/Governors Literacy Award, and be sure your plans accommodate the criteria accordingly.

3.    Give every member a true voice, allowing their ideas to be considered. As a builder of women, part of Altrusa’s draw is that it allows us to try new ideas and receive the support of our sisters.

Every club lays out its plans differently. A few examples:

1.    Temple has an all-club retreat, where every member has a say in what service projects will be tackled this year.

2.    Dallas allows its Service Committee to make the plans, then the club has a say in approving the recommendations from the committee.

3.    DFW is implementing an all-club retreat this year, where they will break into smaller groups to make their plans.

What does your club do?