2025 MNWT Winter State Convention

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!

MNWT State Staff Information

President Tevyan Sorensen
We Go Together
Check out her Chapter Information Packet (CIP) or email president@mnwt.org for more information.

“We Go Together" is more than a motto or a theme, it is how I and the Executive Council are approaching this Women of Today year.  We are here for you to go together on your journey.  You are not alone!  We will show up, we will provide information you need, and we will connect you with others that can best support you when we can’t.  Reach out to any of us and we are here for you!

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.*

Administrative VP Andrea Schue
You are Solid Gold

Check out her Chapter Information Packet (CIP) or email avp@mnwt.org for more information.

District Meetings:

• Thank you to all the District Directors and members who attended all the 1st Trimester meetings. 

Membership VP Shellie Lemmerman

Make a Difference

Check out her Chapter Information Packet (CIP) or email mvp@mnwt.org for more information.

New Chapter Orientation Materials and State Orientation Zoom

A new, editable orientation deck is available for chapters to educate members on their chapter and how to get involved.  This deck focuses on chapter activities and is most helpful if delivered in the first 1-2 months of membership.  In the 2nd and 3rd trimesters of membership, new joiners will be invited to attend a State Orientation Zoom meeting.  Here we will share information on Districts, MNWT and USWT.  Please encourage any members to attend to learn more about our organization beyond the chapter.

Chapter Management VP Shirley Viesselman
Success with Sparkle

Check out her Chapter Information Packet (CIP) or email cmvp@mnwt.org for more information.

What is your May membership base?  What is your membership goal for this year?   My challenge for each of the MNWT chapters is to reach 15 or more members.  Do you already have 15 members… then I challenge you to increase your base membership by 5….  How are you going to do this?  Do you need help?  New ideas?  Please reach out.  I’m here to help.  I love Random Acts of Kindness, and would like to show you what a difference they can make in your community.

Remember.... Success With Sparkle

Success Coordinator Sarah Sundine

Success Form & Guidelines 

Tri 2 Presidential Success Bonus Points

• During M-Week (Nov. 3-9), hold an event and sign a member (50 points) – Verified by MVP

• Donate $25 or more to Outstanding Young Adult Scholarship (25 points) – Verified by YT SPM

• Donate $25 or more to USWT Ways & Means (25 points)- Verified by FVP 

• Submit article to NEWSLET for Post-Winter State edition (25 points) – verified by MKVP 

• Volunteer or hold a service project on Make A Difference Day, Oct. 26 (50 points) – Verified by PVP

• Sell two or more books of Winter State Raffle Tickets (25 points) – Verified by FVP 

• Submit the Program Manager Trimester Report (25 points) – Verified by PVP

(Maximum 100 points) 

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 Michelle Kocak-Jones
Shaking It Up

Check out her Chapter Information Packet (CIP) or email pvp@mnwt.org for more information.

Program Manager Trimester Report:

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.) *

Marketing VP Michelle Cloutier
Recipe for Success: Baking a Difference for All

Check out her Chapter Information Packet (CIP) or email mkvp@mnwt.org for more information.

NEWSLET Editor Suzanne LaLond

A Word On The NEWSLET

NEWSLET Editor Suzanne is looking for Personals for the next issue of the NEWSLET. What is a Personal? Think of it as a shout out, a thank you, way to go, thinking of you that is published in the NEWSLET to a specific person or group! 

PR Assistant OPEN

We currently do not have anyone in the PR Assistant position. If you are looking for some public relations help please reach out to MKVP Michelle. She is always willing to give ideas and point you in the right direction. Her email is mkvp@mnwt.org.

Financial VP Connie Fink
Wheel of Treasure
Check out her Chapter Information Packet (CIP) or email fvp@mnwt.org for more information.

“Buy A Pie” on the Wheel

There are spots on the Wheel of Treasure up for grabs! Members, Chapters or Districts that donate $50 to Ways & Means can pick their piece. President Tevyan will spin the wheel at Annual Convention for two $150 Amazon Gift Cards!  Buy your spot today to be guaranteed entry in the drawing.  All proceeds benefit MNWT Ways & Means.

Finance Committee

The 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.

Extensions Director Kathy Hansen
Stand Together and Shine
Check out her Chapter Information Packet (CIP) or email extensions@mnwt.org for more information.

MNWT Foundation Rebates

• Any chapter to extend by November 15th the foundation will provide a $500 incentive to help support your new chapter. 

• Any chapter to extend by December 31st will receive a $300 incentive to help support your new chapter.

What is an extension of Interest?

• Any community that has been identified as having an interest in Women of today.

• To begin the official process a Charter Fee ($20.00) and Intent to Charter Form must be filled with MNWT Extension Director.

What is an extension in progress?

• The official forming of a new chapter within the Minnesota Women of Today (MNWT).

• An extensions team (an individual, chapter or district) sets up informational meetings in the area to attract prospective embers by hosting events.

How to complete an extension?

• Dues for a minimum of ten (10) chapter members must be paid to the MNWT before the chapter can be recognized.  Only new members can make up the 10 charter members.

• Names of all members along with their address, phone, email and birthdate, must be included on an add/change form and sent to the MNWT Chapter Service Center.

Who can do an Extension?

• A chapter may choose to extend to a nearby community.

• A district may choose to work together to extend a community in close proximity to the chapters within their district.

• The state may choose to extend in an area where there are no other chapters to strengthen others.

• Any member may join an extension team, volunteer with the team or be asked to work on an extension as a recruiter or trainer.

*Apply for a Grant for Newly Extended Chapters.

*Apply for a Loan for a Newly Extended Chapter.

Secretary Liz Weigel
Stick To It
Check out her Chapter Information Packet (CIP) or email secretary@mnwt.org for more information.

Parliamentarian Jeny Ohr
Parli Tips with Bob and Me
Check out her Chapter Information Packet (CIP) or email parli@mnwt.org for more information.

District Bylaw/Policy Repository

This will be completed by the end of Trimester 2. Thank you to all the districts for all their hard work getting all their district bylaws and policies updated this year. 

Chapter Bylaw/Policy Repository

Please send in your chapter bylaws and policies to be added to this repository. This will be a place chapter can turn to incase theirs is ever lost, so they don't have to start from scratch. 

Chapter Bylaw Checklist

Make sure to check out my Fall State CIP for a revised bylaw checklist for chapters to use at their bylaw and policy review.

2nd Trimester Challenges

District Directors

Your name will be entered into a gift card drawing each time a chapter in your district submits their chapter's bylaws and policies during Tri 2.

Chapter Parliamentarians

• Hold a Chapter Bylaw and Policy Review during Tri 2 either invite me or let me know.

• Send me your Bylaws and Policies to Review.

• Have a chapter member attend the MNWT Bylaw and Policy Review.

Presidential Assistant Mary Sobczak
Live and Learn
Check out her Chapter Information Packet (CIP) or email pa@mnwt.org for more information.

Scrapbook Page:

It’s never too early to start collecting pictures and memorabilia from your chapter events to create awesome memories of your year. All Executive Council members and Chapters are asked to create a

12 x 12 scrapbook page which will be placed into an album and given to President Tevyan at Annual Convention. Scrapbook pages were handed out to the District Director to distribute to chapters. Deadline is April 1, 2025. Have fun and be creative!

Year-End President's Gift:

Districts and Chapters are asked to contribute $10-$20 for a Year End Gift for President Tevyan. Checks can be mailed to the Chapter Service Center with “Pres YE Gift” in the memo.

Please reach out to me with any questions. Have a great year everyone!

State Committee Info

MNWT Foundation Chair- Laura Gaylord
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.

Foundation Calendar:

• August 1st- Cheryl L Anderson Scholarship Application due 

• August 2nd- Foundation Board Meeting at 7:00 p.m. by zoom. Email foundation@mnwt.org for zoom link.

• September (Fall State Convention)- Cheryl L Anderson Scholarship Awarded & Lucky Buck Baskets

• Anytime- Straight River Scholarship Application Accepted

• December 1st- Chapter Grant Applications due

Future Directions Committee Chair- Cathy Shuman
The Cat's Meow
Check out her Chapter Information Packet (CIP) or email fdc@mnwt.org for more information.

Next FDC Meeting- Nov. 16th at the Star Bank in Eden Prairie

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.

Membership Management Committee Chair- Anna Nichols
Check out her Chapter Information Packet (CIP) or email mmc@mnwt.org for more information.

Next MMC Meeting- Nov. 16th at the Star Bank in Eden Prairie

Marketing Committee

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

7. Enter your phone number in the next window and click the "Call Me" or "Text Me" button to get a verification code.

8. Enter that verification code into the next window and click the "Finish" button..

9. Go through the helpful hints windows until you see the Shopping Window.

10. Start Shopping!