MNWT Webinar Series

Each trimester we offer our membership online training where participants will learn more about our programming areas, membership techniques, and online tools. Make this a regular event for your chapter!

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MNWT State Staff Information

President Amy Pumper
Visions of Success
Check out her Chapter Information Packet (CIP) or email president@mnwt.org for more information.

Trimester Challenge

You can find the third trimester form in President Amy's Winter State CIP. Once you have finished it send it to president@mnwt.org by April 30th, 2024.

• First, guide your chapter to third trimester chapter growth. 

• Second, pick one Women of Today goal to challenge yourself in your position. This should be a specific and measurable goal. It does not need to be a goal from your Plan of Action, but it could be. This is something that you wish to accomplish before your year is up 

Presidential Pins and Medallions

Do you have someone who has gone above and beyond the expectations of a member or chapter officer? Members appreciate receiving recognition for what they do. 

Reminders:  

• If someone previously submitted has not received recognition, be sure to submit them again and add information to the nomination.  

• If submitting more than one nomination, be sure to indicate how you would rank them.  

• Information is for current year only which began May 1.  

• Be sure to give specifics about how they have helped your chapter. 

• If you are nominating a member for a President or State Delegate medallion, be sure to include information pertinent to that position. 

*Nominations may be submitted online or mailed. Click on the blue highlighted words above (Presidential Pins and Medallions) and it will bring you to the forms.*

ANNUAL CONVENTION PIN/MEDALLION NOMINATIONS: 

Nominations due May 2nd.

Vision Award

There are many individuals and businesses that help us be able to hold projects, events and positions on all levels of the organization. It could be a spouse, another family member, a business, or another organization that has been helpful to your chapter or our organization. This award is to recognize non-members only and will be awarded during visits, district meetings and state conventions. See her Winter State CIP or click on the purple highlighted words above (Vision Award) to be brought to the form. Send email at president@mnwt.org for any questions.

Administrative VP Shirley Viesselman
Leave a Little Sparkle Wherever You Go
Check out her Chapter Information Packet (CIP) or email avp@mnwt.org for more information.

District Meetings:

• Held after convention (June, October, March/April).

• Focus on the chapter and providing for connection at a local level.

• A little bit of District business and a whole lot of Social, Service or Enrichment with each other.

Meetings will last about two hours and will not be a rehash of the Convention business meeting or CIPs. There will be chapter sharing, social time, speakers or activities to do together. Click on the above purple highlighted (District Meetings) to find your districts upcoming meeting date. 

District Directors:

Are you interested in being a District Director for the upcoming 2024-2025 MNWT year reach out to AVP Shirley at avp@mnwt.org to let her know and get any questions answered that may be holding you back from taking on this position. 

Membership VP Glorie Balfanz
Believe in Your Vision
Check out her Chapter Information Packet (CIP) or email mvp@mnwt.org for more information.

Trimester Challenge

• During Membership Week or during the 3rd Trimester hold a chapter social. Have fun with your members. Make them feel welcome and important. We all want to feel that we matter to our organization! 

• For an extra chance for the prize say how you used the Vision Packet this past year. 

Email mvp@mnwt.org to be included in a drawing at Annual Convention. 

Membership Foundation Incentives:

• Chapters that have Growth+3 and Growth +5 will receive a monetary rebate. 

• If you are a new member in the 2023 calendar year and complete the STEP 1 and STEP 2 certifications, your chapter will receive a $5 State Store Gift Certificate. 

Close Out:

Make sure to have your chapter join the Year-End Closeout on April 29th by zoom!

USWT RECOGNITION 

• All American Chapter: This award recognizes those WT Chapters who have planned and accomplished a well-rounded program of projects and activities that exemplify the USWT Creed. Complete the form on the USWT website and submit by May 10. 

• One a Month Club: To achieve One a Month Club status your chapter needs to sign one new member every month for the MNWT year (May – April). New members must be reported to the Chapter Service Center before midnight of the last day of each month to be counted. 

• Fellowship Builder: The Fellowship Builder Award is given to those chapters that take Friendship Day a step further by holding three more socials during the year. For chapter recognition, please complete the Fellowship Builder Form and return to mvp@uswomenoftoday.org no later than May 1. 

Chapter Management VP Tevyan Sorensen
Building for Success
Check out her Chapter Information Packet (CIP) or email cmvp@mnwt.org for more information.

Local Officer Training Session (LOTS):

Incoming Board members and LPMs should sign up for LOTS training on May 4th at Immaculate Conception Church in Rice. This is a great way for the new board to bond together and learn new skills. This is also a great opportunity to network with other Presidents, State Delegates, Secretaries, Treasurers, Membership Vice Presidents, and/or Programming Vice Presidents from across the state. Getting to know others who are going through the same experiences or struggles as you can help with making your year go smoothly. 

For those who are serving in a position for a 3rd or more time and have previously attended LOTS training, we are offering an optional Leadership Training session as an alternative to attending position training. This is a limited space training session and priority will be given to Chapter Presidents and Vice Presidents first. 

Click the above purple highlighted (Local Officer Training Session (LOTS)) for the registration form. Check out CMVP Tevyan's Winter State CIP for more information about LOTS. 

Success Coordinator Cindy Sanders

A new Success Form & Guidelines was approved at the Future Directions meeting in July. Both can be found on mnwt.org. Here are few changes to look for:

• NEW! Chapter visitations – 25 points per trimester. It will be verified by your meeting minutes!

• NEW! Have 2 members attend the MNWT webinar each trimester – 25 points per trimester no matter how many members attend.

• Removed District Orientation

• Removed Mid-Year & Year-End entries for Presidents & State Delegates

Success is due postmarked or emailed to the above email address on May 2, 2024 

Tri 3 Presidential Success Bonus Points

• Submit Chapter Scrapbook page to PA and/or contribute to State President Year End gift by April 6 (25 pts) - Verified by Presidential Assistant OR

• Submit a nomination for Community Connections Awards by April 15 (50 pts) - Verified by PVP/Community Connections SPM OR

• Sign a member during Membership Week and submit online or to CSC between March 10-16 (25 points) – Verified by MVP OR

• Submit an article to the Post-Annual NEWSLET (25 points) - Verified by NEWSLET editor OR

• Participate in any SPM 3rd Trimester Challenge. State which Programming Area Challenge(s) in Descriptions. (25 pts/challenge, max 50 pts)– Verified by State Program Managers OR

Points to Claim in Third Trimester Only

• Growth for the Year 

• Attendance at Regional Mtgs 

• Submit Success all three trimesters 

Points To Be Claimed Only One Time a Year*

• A Bylaw Review and submitting it to the State Parliamentarian.

• Doing a chapter survey and have documented results.

*These can be done at any time during the year.

Programming VP Mary Kaminski
Living, Giving & Sharing
Check out her Chapter Information Packet (CIP) or email pvp@mnwt.org for more information.

3rd Trimester PVP Challenge

• Complete the Program Manager Trimester Report (report service hours and donations) 

• Nominate at least one LPM for Program Manager of the Trimester 

• Nominate at least one Project of the Trimester 

Incentives will be provided at Annual Convention 

Program Manager Trimester Report:

Submit by May 2nd . If you did not report for the first two trimesters make sure you include the full year of activities. Every dollar, item and service hour make a difference. Click on the above purple highlighted (Program Manager Trimester Report) for the form.

MNWT Trimester Programming Awards

Every trimester each State Programming Manager recognizes one amazing project and one outstanding programming manager as programming’s best in their area for that trimester. They review nominations sent in from chapters and districts throughout the state and select the top entry for each programming area. Receiving an Outstanding Programming Manager or Project of the Trimester award is no small task and should be considered a special achievement.

*Be sure to nominate all your LPMs each trimester for the Outstanding Programming Manager Award. (FYI: If you do not have LPMs you can still nominate a member that is doing outstanding work in a programming area.) *

2024-2025 State Programming Managers

Congratulations to the four fabulous women who were approved at Winter State convention as 2024-2025 State Program Managers. They all have great ideas and are excited to share with everyone. 

• Sara Rocksted, Monticello - Community Connections 

• Sharon Scholl, Monticello - Living & Learning 

• Deb Froemming, Hutchinson - Priority Area (REACH) 

• Cheryl Watson, Burnsville - Youth of Today 

We are continuing to search for a leader for the Women’s Wellness area. If you are interested or if you want to recommend someone email PVP Mary at pvp@mnwt.org 

Marketing VP Allie Staley
Let's Get Famous, MN Ducks
Check out her Chapter Information Packet (CIP) or email mkvp@mnwt.org for more information.

New Webmaster!

We would like to welcome our new Webmaster Sherri Streff. She has over 20 years of experience and is a proud member of the St. Michael/Albertville Chapter. Please help MKVP Allie welcome her with open arms.  

Elections Issue 

The elections issue will be electronic this year! Please make sure that your contact information is up to date and current. We are asking that you double check your emails to make sure spelling is correct and it is an active email address. We will be sending a survey with the Elections issue to get your feedback. We would love to hear from you!

USWT Shout Out With Pride!

The USWT have a form that is called Shout Out with Pride. This is changing to Shout out with Public Relations. 3rd trimester is Volunteer Week/Random Act of Kindness day. When you submit the form you share with the PR Director what you did for these events. Click the above purple highlighted (USWT Shout Out With Pride!) for the form. 

Incentive of the Trimester

Submit a Newslet Article or Personal for the Presidential Election addition and mail into the newslet@mnwt.org and mkvp@mnwt.org and you will be put into a drawing at annual state for a Ducky surprise!

PR Assistant Shellie Matthes 

If you are looking for some public relations help please reach out to her. She is always willing to give ideas and point your in the right direction. Her email is pr@mnwt.org. 

NEWSLET Editor Suzanne LaLond

NEWSLET

If you are looking to submit any articles or personals please use the online form MNWT NEWSLET Submission. Please fill in with as much detail as possible. This will make Suzanne’s job smoother and more enjoyable! 

Your chapter can receive SUCCESS points (25pts) for submitting an article!

Financial VP Jane Holmberg
Show Me the Money
Check out her Chapter Information Packet (CIP) or email fvp@mnwt.org for more information.

Ways & Means Challenge

There is still plenty of time to get your property on our Visionopoly board. It only takes a donation of $50 or more to the State Ways & Means. Have you done a $35 donation? Just add that little bitty ol’ $15! If we get the board filled, President Amy will get to try her luck in the game. If she lands on your property, your chapter will get a $15 cash prize! 

3rd Trimester Challenge

Chapter and district treasurers that complete the following challenge items will be entered into a drawing at year-end for a State Store Gift Certificate. 

• Report on a local ways & means project that your chapter or district has done or is doing for 3rd trimester. 

• Have made a purchase from the State Store, MNWT Clothing or fudge fundraiser at any point throughout this year 

• Send in the name of your treasurer for the 2024- 2025 year. 

Please send me an email describing each point at fvp@mnwt.org by April 30, 2024. 

MNWT State Store Update

State Store shopping is not only fun but beneficial! Did you know that sales from the State Store help us meet our budgetary needs? Items purchased are also great for recruiting new members and retaining current ones. Items that are currently available include pens, note cards, postcards, the president’s mugs, small notebooks, umbrellas, tote bags, garment bags, flashlights, finger mitts, charms (commemorative, officer, years of service, and STEP), pins (commemorative, officer and years of service). Do your officers wear pins or charms showing that they are holding an officer position? If not, why not implement this and show pride in the positions and the leadership roles held? There are also officer manuals available as well as certificates that you can use to recognize your members. Gift certificates for future purchases are also available for purchase. Store items are available at Conventions and most Regional and District meetings.

MNWT Clothing Store 

Have you checked out the MNWT Clothing Store? In cooperation with Warroad Threads, we offer MNWT branded clothing. We have quite a selection, including T-shirts, polo shirts, pants, jackets and hats– all with the MNWT logo. Your order will also help support State Ways & Means. This is a great way to show your pride in our organization and to support the organization at the same time. Please check out the website: https://warroadthreads.com/product-category/minnesota-women-of-today. 

Finance Committee

Finance Committee provides financial direction for the MNWT. They help designate funds and propose our annual budget as well as promoting a statewide raffle, vendors at conventions and assisting the State Store Manager. It is a two-year commitment and meetings are usually held in May, July or August, January and March. All new members will receive a Get Out of Jail Free card.

Extensions Director Andrea Schue
Arrrgh You Ready to Talk About Women of Today
Check out her Chapter Information Packet (CIP) or email extensions@mnwt.org for more information.

Last Trimester Extension Director Andrea asked you, ARRRGH You Ready to Talk about a fellowship in your chapter and across your district? This trimester, she wants to keep that conversation going and ask, ARRRGH You Ready to Talk about succession planning in your chapter or district? 

Meet & Greets 

Extensions Director Andrea is looking to host another event or meet and greet in the range towns of Hibbing and Virginia in the 3rd trimester. If you have a connection to this area in family or friends and can provide any ideas or support that would be greatly appreciated! Please send her email at extensions@mnwt.org with any help. 

Trimester 3 Challenges:

• Engage in Tuesday Facebook Posts, each like and comment gets your name in for a drawing! 

• Send me an email at extensions@mnwt.org with a brief explanation of what each chapter officer’s job duties are for your chapter. 

• Make an item or monetary donation to the Extension Lucky Buck Baskets that will be an Annual Convention 

• Attend or support a Meet & Greet for a new chapter extension in anyway. 

Every time you participate your name goes into a drawing!! 

MNWT Foundation Rebates

• Any chapter to extend by February 29th the Foundation will provide a $500 incentive to help support the new chapter

• Any chapter to extend by March 31st the Foundation will provide a $300 incentive to help support the new chapter.

• Any chapter to extend by April 30th the Foundation will provide a $200 incentive to help support the new chapter. 

Any chapter can apply for the following:

Apply for Extension Funding. To help chapters, districts, or extensions teams when they are looking to extend a new chapter.

• Apply for a Grant for Newly Extended Chapters.

• Apply for a Loan for a Newly Extended Chapter.

If you are interested in any of these options, please email the Extensions Director at extensions@mnwt.org 

Secretary Candi Frick
The Magic of Minutes
Check out her Chapter Information Packet (CIP) or email secretary@mnwt.org for more information.

3rd Trimester Challenge

3rd Trimester Challenge is to send your chapter minutes for review and you will be placed in a drawing for another magical basket. Please send to secretary@mnwt.org.

Parliamentarian Tawn Hanson
Checking in with BOB
Check out her Chapter Information Packet (CIP) or email parli@mnwt.org for more information.

3rd Trimester Challenge!

Hold a Bylaw and Policy review once during the 2023 – 2024 year. Email me the date and time of your meeting and share anything learned. This meeting could have been held at any time during the year. Information due April 15th. 

Presidential Assistant Cat Shuman
Make Magic Happen!
Check out her Chapter Information Packet (CIP) or email pa@mnwt.org for more information.

Scrapbook Page:

This year's Scrapbook pages will be 12” X 12” double-sided. You can create your own front and back of the page using pictures and other memorabilia, background art, clip art, stickers, markers, etc. These are due on or before April 1, 2024. Completed scrapbook pages can be given to me at any event.

PR Photos & Mementos:

In addition to the scrapbooks, collecting photos, press releases, and other memorabilia from exec council members and chapters. When President Amy visits or you have a chance for a photo op with her, please pass those pictures on to pa@mnwt.org. Additionally, if your chapter is recognized in your local news or you are part of community event, please send me a copy of the press release/article/photo. These are wonderful ways to share your year with President Amy and she will greatly appreciate it. You can send these items any time and will be accepted up to April 30, 2024.

Year-End President's Gift:

It is a tradition to present the State President with a special gift(s) at Annual Convention to show our appreciation for her leadership this year. We ask each chapter and district to donate $10 to $20 for this gift. Please make your check to “MN Women of Today” and send To: MNWT Chapter Service Center, PO Box 216, Albany MN 56307. Note “President Year End Gift” in the memo line. Thanks for helping make this a memorable year for President Amy!

Incentives:

For third trimester, chapters can earn SUCCESS POINTS if you donate for Amy’s year end gift and/or submit a scrapbook page by April 1, 2024. In addition, there will be DRAWINGS at Annual convention for one “wonderama” basket for each chapter/person that donates for the year end gift and one “wonderama” basket for those that turn in scrapbook pages. You qualify for the drawing if donations and pages are submitted by April 1, 2024. 

COB Jenise Teske
Finding Your Piece
Check out her Chapter Information Packet (CIP) or email cob@mnwt.org for more information.

Past President Challenge: 

Send COB Jenise a quick email to share the following:

• How do you feel your year as Past President went?

• Did it get easier as the year progressed?

• Were there new ideas your Chapter President accomplished that impressed you?

• Did you personally grow this year?

Participating gets you a chance to win a gift at Annual Convention. Send email to cob@mnwt.org.

USWT Bucket of Sunshine (BOS)

At each USWT Convention, President Amy will present a donation for the current USWT BOS project. As a state we collect items for the USWT Mid-Year BOS Project at Fall State and the USWT Year-End BOS Project at Annual.

The Year End Bucket of Sunshine will be Safe Shelter in Des Moines, Iowa). Between now and the convention, June 7-8, 2024, ALL USWT members are encouraged to collect items from their WISH LIST - and bring to year-end.  The wish list is at the top of this page. 

USWT Year-End Convention

Date: Friday, June 7 and Saturday, June 8, 2024

Location: Des Moines, Iowa

Cost: $100 early registration, $114 + tax for hotel

What to Expect: Year-End is a celebration of 2nd and 3rd Trimesters, PLUS 23-24 year-end recognition. Events start Friday afternoon and run through late Saturday evening. Those attending will have an opportunity to see the 23-24 President give her final speech and participate in the election of the new 24-25 USWT President. 

State Committee Info

MNWT Foundation Chair Nicky Anderson
Check out her Chapter Information Packet (CIP) or email found@mnwt.org for more information.

Chapter Grants

The Chapter Grant Program is funded through the “Lucky Buck” Auction held each year. We received two grant applications and the following chapters was awarded a grant from the Foundation at Winter State: $1000 was awarded to the New Hope Women of Today for their Habitate Restoration Project. $1000 was awarded to the District 2 Women of Today for their Girls date project. Congratulations to both chapters for their efforts to help make a difference in their community.

How Gift Card Fundraising Works

Gift card fundraising, also known as scrip fundraising, has been the #1 fundraiser for nonprofit organizations across the U.S. for more than 25 years. Why? Because it’s easy and more convenient than selling goods or recruiting volunteers. Earn simply by buying gift cards to use for everyday purchases, instead of cash or credit cards. www.raiseright.com

Become a Sustaining Member

For an annual $25 donation you, your chapter or both can become sustaining members of the Foundation. Funds are uncommitted and used at the board’s discretion to support the mission of the MNWT. Funds have been used for the membership rebate/incentives, for PE courses, to pay for speakers at convention, to support new and rebuilding chapters and many more programs. Won’t you send your donation today? We also have Venmo to collect payments now.

People with Determination Award:

The Minnesota Women of Today Foundation is pleased to fund the honorarium for the people with determination award. A $100 donation is made to the charity of the honorees choice. This year’s honorees are Kaitlyn Peterson nominated by the Burnsville WT and Pat Mayer nominated by the Aitkin Women of Today. 

Outstanding Young Adult Scholarships: 

The Minnesota Women of Today Foundation is pleased to fund the Outstanding Young Adult Scholarship program.  The following young adults were recognized at Winter State and will receive a $500 scholarship from the Foundation to be used for their college education. Cade Bunell – Nominated by Burnsville Andreya Clour -Nominated by Sauk Rapids. Congratulations to all of these young adults! 

Foundation Calendar:

• April 13 Foundation Board Meeting at 10:00am. email foundation@mnwt.org for the address of the meeting.

• Annual Convention Annual Extensions Basket Auction 

• Aug 1 Cheryl L Anderson Scholarship Applications due Anytime Straight River Scholarship 

Future Directions Committee Chair Jane Hanson
Moving Forward
Check out her Chapter Information Packet (CIP) or email fdc@mnwt.org for more information.

What is the Future Directions Committee?

The Future Directions Committee shall advise and make recommendations to the Executive Council on the organization’s structure, administration, and programming, shall develop long range planning objectives and methods to obtain them, shall consider changes proposed by members and reporting committees and shall supervise the timely implementation of such changes. Future Directions Committee shall have the authority to make decisions on all matters except for the state bylaws and policies.

Updates on Subcommittees and Task Forces

**We are always looking for members to chair and be on subcommittees and task forces.

• Manual Review (Cat S, Chair) – busy working on manuals. Let Cat know if you are willing to help. 

• A Project Report Form was approved for use beginning with the 2024-25 year. There will also be an addition on the success form adding submissions of projects, fund raisers and membership events. 

• Convention Task Force (Wendy H, Chair) A survey was sent out to the chapters and several members responded. Once this has been tallied; the committee will meet again to work on recommendations. 

Membership Management Committee Chair JoAnn Miller
Where It Comes Together
Check out her Chapter Information Packet (CIP) or email mmc@mnwt.org for more information.

Updates:

• TLC and Watch List Task Force is working to define TLC and Watch List. Anna Nichols is leading this Task Force, and should have results by our next MMC meeting. 

• Extensions are being worked on in Hibbing, Virginia and Gibbon. If you know of any prospective members in either of those locations, please contact Extensions Director Andrea (extensions@mnwt.org) with their contact information. 

• Tevyan Sorensen has led a Membership Recognition Task Force that presented a subset of Service Certificates at Fall State. We are currently asking our chapters to verify their members’ years of service. Some members may have left Women of Today for a time and have since rejoined. We want to ensure we recognize those previous years as part of their service. Please watch for a letter in your mail asking for this information.

Marketing Committee

For Marketing Committee Meeting information, see the information under the Marketing VP above.