Meeting, greeting and trivia, oh my!

Wow, what a busy afternoon and evening. But first a quick note.

Cori Dodds, president of Wichita Professional Communicators, the sole organized chapter of KPC, is also going to be posting on the blog. We'll both have fun sharing our impressions. Cori, by the way, is an Idaho native, so some of her perspective of the area will be different from mine (not as much ooohing and aaahing perhaps).

She did take some beautiful pics on the Riverwalk this afternoon. Meanwhile, I'm struggling with the pics I've taken today. Will probably work on them in the morning.

Back to today's action.

My day started by sharing lunch with folks attending from Colorado, Nebraska and Missouri affiliates. We discovered that we share the same struggles with active groups of members in a central urban area with our remaining members spread across our states. How do we help all of our members feel connected to the whole? What kinds of programs do we offer to reach our members?

We spent much of our time discussing how we could reach out to each other. Colorado and New Mexico worked together a few years ago on a meeting in Taos that both affiliate members attended. Given geography, it's always possible that events organized by Colorado might appeal to our western Kansas members (and may be closer than something we might plan on the eastern side of our own state). On the other hand, something in the Kansas City area could appeal to western Missouri members and eastern Nebraska members.

We made no firm commitment except to make sure we extend invitations beyond our own borders.

Next on my agenda today was a leadership meeting with national board members and affiliate presidents or their representatives. We discussed the proposed dues increase and also shared information about our affiliates and what's worked.

It brought up some interesting ideas, as well as facts. Missouri, for instance, has affiliate meetings nine months out of the year, September through May. They meet for programs and Saturday brunch in St. Louis where the bulk of the membership is. Ohio chooses interesting venues throughout the state for its regular meetings, such as the First Ladies museum in Canton.

My thought was, "Wow, Kansas members meet once a year." Hmmm, are we doing enough for our members?

Right now, my brain is shutting down and screaming for the bed behind me. I'll talk about the membership meeting and our trivia competition -- and post pictures -- in the morning.

Gwen