NEBRASKA WOMEN OF TODAY

S.T.E.P.

(Success Through Enthusiastic Participation)

CERTIFICATION & COMPETITION RULES

 

The following is a major part of the information from the U.S. Women of Today concerning the S.T.E.P. program.  For further clarification, please see your chapter's copy of the S.T.E.P. Manual, published by the U.S. Women of Today.

 

S.T.E.P. CERTIFICATION

 

Active members . . . A goal that every chapter wants to achieve.  One easy way to increased activation is through the S.T.E.P. certification program.  The following is information to make it an easier task to activate your members.

 

S.T.E.P. I           a.   A member is eligible for this award one time only, for 90 days from the date she pays her local dues.

b.   Her certification should be filed with the state S.T.E.P. Program Manager within 30 days following the end of her 90 day period.

 

S.T.E.P. II          a.   A member is eligible for this award one time only.  This includes her first 12 months of membership.  She can certify anytime before her 12 months are up, as long as she has met all qualifications for certification.

b.   Her certification should be filed with the state S.T.E.P. Program Manager as soon as her certification is complete, but no later than 30 days following the end of her 12 month period.

c.   An activity claimed in S.T.E.P. I must be repeated to be claimed in S.T.E.P. II.

 

S.T.E.P. III        a.   A member is eligible for this award if she has completed her first year of membership.  She can re-certify each year.

b.   Her certification should be filed with the state S.T.E.P. Program Manager as soon as her certification is complete.

c.   A first year member who certifies in S.T.E.P. II may also certify in S.T.E.P. III within the same year, provided she meets all S.T.E.P. III qualifications after her certification in S.T.E.P. II has been completed, fulfilling each requirement again as indicated.

 

Your chapter does have a choice in one mandatory and one optional requirement in STEP II and STEP III.  There is a sample list of suggested requirements in this Guide For Action.  As a chapter you should decide what you want these optional requirements to be NOW. Then you should list them on your forms under Optional Requirement.

 

Please send your completed forms to the S.T.E.P. Program Manager. Discard any old forms your chapter may have.  The requirements for all 3 programs are fairly self-explanatory.  Read the requirements carefully and be complete when filling out the form.

 

For S.T.E.P. I the most important thing to remember is to include the completed dates on all areas.  The complete date would be month/day/year.  It is very necessary in determining the 90 day period.

 

For S.T.E.P. II and S.T.E.P. III, double check the lines that have been completed.  Each member submitted must have at least the minimum number necessary in the mandatory and optional areas.  It is easy to overlook, so just double check the forms before they are sent. 

 

Also, please make sure the name and anniversary date of the new member signed is listed on the certification form.  It must be there to be verified.

NEBRASKA  S.T.E.P.  COMPETITION

 

What an exciting part of the S.T.E.P. program!  This is an area that can really help a member to develop.  You learn so much about yourself, your local chapter, and the state organization through the entire process of competing.

 

S.T.E.P. I competition is by resume only.  No attendance at convention is necessary because there will be no oral interview.  S.T.E.P. II and S.T.E.P. III competition consists of resume and oral competition.  Attendance at convention is mandatory.

 

You will need to send four (4) copies of the resume in Duo-Tang folders, all with original signatures, and a $5.00 entry fee, for all S.T.E.P.'s. Send to the S.T.E.P. Program Manager by the published deadlines.  Each S.T.E.P. II resume may not exceed three typewritten pages.  Each S.T.E.P. III resume may not exceed ten typewritten pages.

 

The interview will consist of five questions, two fact and 3 opinion, plus reciting the U. S. Women of Today Creed.  A complete list of all possible questions in state competition is in this Guide For Action. The interview will be held at conventions on Saturday morning.  There will be three judges in each area.

 

U.S. WOMEN OF TODAY  S.T.E.P.  COMPETITION

 

The United State Women of Today hold STEP competition once a year at Annual Convention.  Details and guidelines are established and publicized by the national STEP program manager in the U.S. Newsletter.  There in no STEP I competition. However, members who have certified in STEP II or STEP III are encouraged to enter national STEP competition.

 

STEP II COMPETITION

This competition is for members who have belonged to Women of Today 12 months or less.  The competition involves only the completion of a resume.  The format for this resume is the same as Nebraska’s.  Dates that resumes are due will be announced.  The major areas of concentration are the following:  meeting attendance, project participation, and other involvement.  Each resume may not exceed three typewritten pages.  A state may enter in competition as many members as it wishes.  Entrance fees, as announced, must be paid for each resume submitted.  The resumes will be judged prior to convention by three judges selected by the National STEP Program Manager.  The judges’ critique sheets are the same as Nebraska's’.  There is NO oral interview.  Awards will be presented at the national convention.  This is a great opportunity for the hard working first year member to receive recognition.

 

STEP III COMPETITION

This competition involves the completion of a resume and an interview to be held at annual convention.  The format for the resume is provided, and details will be specified by the national program manager.  Dates that resumes are due will be announced. The major areas of concentration are local involvement and state involvement.  The entire resume may not exceed ten typewritten pages.  A state may enter in competition as many members as it wishes.  Entrance fees, as announced, must be paid for each resume submitted.  The resumes will be judged prior to convention by three judges selected by the National STEP Program Manager.  The judges’ critique sheets are the same as Nebraska's’.  The oral interview, which will be held at annual convention, is worth 40 points.  Three judges will ask the competitor five questions.  The competitor will also be asked to recite the U.S. Women of Today Creed.  Sample questions may be provided by your state STEP program manager.  The judges oral interview sheet is the same as Nebraska's’.  Attitude and appearance are also categories used for scoring.  Members are urged to take advantage of this personal growth opportunity.  Awards will be presented at the national convention.

 

 

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SUGGESTED REQUIREMENTS

FOR CHAPTER'S CHOICE

 

 

The following is a list of suggestions for Mandatory Requirement number 6, Optional Requirement for S.T.E.P. II number 15, and S.T.E.P. III number 20:

 

            1.         Give the names of two prospective members to your Membership Director.

            2.         Submit an article to your chapter newsletter or local newspaper.

            3.         Sign a second individual member.

            4.         Work on a money-making project for your chapter.

            5.         Enter any individual competition at a convention.

            6.         Work on a local community development project.

            7.         75% attendance at membership meetings.

            8.         Babysit for a chapter member while she is working on a chapter project.

            9.         Certify or re-certify in CPR.

            10.        Participate in at least one project per quarter.

            11.        Participate in your chapter's Secret Pal program.

            12.        Participate in your chapter's Big Sis/Little Sis program.

            13.        Define the purpose of the job of both the District and State officers.

            14.        Chair a session of a personal enrichment program.

            15.        Attend a forum at a District, Regional, or State meeting.

            16.        Serve as a hostess or co-hostess at a membership meeting.

            17.        Participate in one of the major projects of your chapter.

            18.        Attend a local board meeting.

            19.        Work on a standing committee project.

            20.        Certify in an additional personal development program.

 

After completing your chapter's Plan of Action, decide on a special area you are trying to focus on.  Use this area to choose the requirements.  Then your members will help you complete your chapter's goal at they same time they are working on their S.T.E.P. certifications.

 

Whatever you choose to do, remember to fill it in on the certification form when you send it in.

 

 

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NEBRASKA WOMEN OF TODAY

S.T.E.P.

(Success Through Enthusiastic Participation)

POSSIBLE INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

 

 

The following is a complete list of all possible questions that could be asked in State S.T.E.P. competition throughout the year.

 

FACT

1.         Name the officers of the Nebraska Women of Today Executive Board.

2.         Outline the Personal Development programming offered by the Nebraska Women of Today, and what does it teach us?

3.         Explain the S.T.E.P. program, and how it benefits your chapter.

4.         Define the Administrative areas and how they effect your local chapter.

5.         Explain your interest and involvement in a Women of Today program.

6.         Name the past state presidents of the Nebraska Women of Today since its founding in 1985.

7.         Explain what the initials S.T.E.P. stand for, and when S.T.E.P. 1, 2, and 3 can be earned.

 

OPINION

1.         Goal setting is a critical process in every person's life.  Tell how Women of Today has changed or influenced your goals.

2.         As a local Women of Today member you are a leader within your own chapter.  What are your responsibilities as a member to your local chapter, and how well do you meet those responsibilities? Be specific.

3.         What one thing has Women of Today taught you and how has it changed or influenced your life?

4.         What is your favorite internal or external program and why?

5.         If you could effect an instant change in the Women of Today organization, what would it be and why?

6.         How does a Women of Today chapter benefit its community?

7.         What is the benefit of competition such as S.T.E.P.?

8.         If you were your chapter's president, how and why would you encourage your members to enter competition such as this?

9.         How would you personally recruit a new member?

10.        How could the Nebraska / U.S. Women of Today be of greater service to you and your chapter?

11.        Why should I be a member of Women of Today?

12.        How would you encourage a new Women of Today member to become involved beyond the local level?

13.        As a new Women of Today year begins, goal setting is included as a very important part of planning that year.  What is one of your main goals for this year and how do you plan to achieve this goal?

14.        Why do we always recite the Women of Today Creed at the end of our meetings?

15.        Do you think the Women of Today organization tends to over-emphasize membership recruitment?

16.        What does being a Women of Today member mean to you?

17.        In the area of chapter management, what would be your top three priorities to insure the effective running of your local chapter?

18.        If you could hold any Women of Today chairmanship, what would it be and why?

19.        Why should you be chosen as Outstanding S.T.E.P. II/III of the year?

 

20.        Retaining members is a vital part of membership.  What areas do you feel need concentration in order to improve retention?

21.        If you were president of your state organization, what would you do to increase membership on a statewide basis?  Be specific.

22.        What experience in Women of Today has been most meaningful for you, why?

23.        As a local Women of Today member, what do you see as the major weakness  in your local chapter?  How would you correct it?

24.        If you were president of your local chapter, what changes would you make and why?

25.        As leaders in the Women of Today chapters, we are faced daily with the challenges of motivating members.  This is true whether you are an officer or a project chairman.  What is your answer to membership motivation?

26.        What internal project has your chapter run that has been the most beneficial to you and your chapter?  Why?

27.        What do you see happening to the Women of Today organization in the future, locally and nationwide?

28.        What do you think is the biggest challenge in our organization and what would you do to improve the situation?

29.        How would you "sell" Women of Today to someone who had never heard of the organization?

30.        Tell us about your favorite local project this year and why it was your favorite.

 

NATIONAL

 

1.         Name the officers of the U.S. Women of Today board and their positions.

2.         When and where was the U.S. Women of Today founded?

3.         When and where was the first U.S. Women of Today convention held?

4.         Who was elected as U.S. Women of Today Charter Chairman?

5.         How many states are chartered as U.S. Women of Today members?

6.         Name the two External Programs of the U.S. Women of Today.

7.         Name the three Internal Programs of the U.S. Women of Today.

STEP I

STEP II

STEP III