WOMEN OF TODAY GLOSSARY

 

AGENDA:  A step-by-step outline by a presiding officer to conduct a meeting.

 

AID TO FOSTER CHILDREN:  Our State Philanthropy is Aid to Foster Children.  Foster children are very special children who are often deprived mentally, physically and emotionally.  Through our financial support we are able to provide for items such as class rings, senior pictures, music lessons and bicycles, which brings a little sunshine to the foster child’s life.  The funds are distributed through Nebraska Friends of Foster children Foundation, Inc.

 

ANNUAL MEETING:  Held each year to conduct business and where the President and Executive Committee are elected.  Year end awards are also presented at the annual meeting.

 

AWARDS:  A program designed to recognize individual members, local chapters and state organizations that have excelled in various areas,

 

BID:  An offer to host an event, meeting, project, or convention.

 

CHAIRPERSON:  This individual is charged with the responsibility for the completion of the project, she heads a committee and provides motivation for its members.

 

CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD (COB):   The immediate retiring President.

 

CHAPTER:  A local organization for Women of Today.  A minimum of 5 members constitutes a chapter.

 

CHAPTER PRIORITY PROGRAM:  A program that a chapter bids for and sponsors for a year.

 

CHAPTER MAILING:  Nebraska issues a quarterly packet of information to the Local Chapter Presidents, State Board members, and others designated by the president.

 

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT:  Women of Today activities aimed at the improvement of the community.

 

CONSTITUTION:  A set of rules and regulations an organization employs to determine it’s government and procedures.  The Nebraska Women of Today Constitution is available to each chapter at the beginning of each year or as necessitated by constitutional change.

 

CREED:  Statement of philosophy and beliefs adopted by the State and National Women of Today organizations.

 

DUES:  Paid by each individual member of the local and state organization.  Local chapters have the option to set local dues as desired.

 

EFFECTIVE SPEAKING (ES):  A U.S.  Women of Today Personal Development program to offer all Women of Today an opportunity to develop their verbal communication abilities.  This program offers certification as well as competition.

 

EFFECTIVE WRITING (EW):  A U.S. Women of Today Personal Development program to offer all Women of Today an opportunity to develop their written communication abilities.  This program offers certification as well as competition.

 

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE:  It consists of the President, Chairman of the Board, two Vice Presidents, and the L.P.A. President. Secretary and Treasurer are ex-officio members of the committee.

EXTENSION:  The establishment of a new Women of Today chapter.

 

FAMILY TIME:  A program that promotes the inclusion of the families.  This may be a fun activity, program or a course.  It encourages building close and loving families.

 

FIRST TIMERS:  A member attending their first state and national meeting.

 

FOUNDER’S DAY:  Celebrated on July 1st, as the founding day of the Women of Today organization.

 

FOCUS ON WOMEN (FOW):  A U.S. Women of Today program designed to inform, educate, and update members on a wide variety of topics.  You can certify in this program by completing requirements in the area of Health and Personal Concerns, Careers and Economics, American Involvement and Women’s Issues.  There are essay contests that you may participate in.

 

FUTURE DIRECTIONS:  A committee set upon both the State and National levels to help in the positive direction of the organization.  The future directions committee consists of every paid member of the Nebraska Women of Today.

 

GAVEL:  State Membership Newsletter of the Nebraska Women of Today distributed to all members.

 

GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS:  A Nebraska program designed to help the Women of Today members become more aware and involved with their local, state, and federal government.

 

INTERCLUB:  Visitation to another chapter by invitation for a fun day and/or evening of activities.  Should not be a money maker event but to develop friendships and share ideas.

 

LOCAL PRESIDENT’S ASSOCIATION (L.P.A.):  All chapter presidents are members of this association that’s main purpose is to review State Board recommendations on matters effecting local chapter involvement on the State Level.  The Local President’s Association is also an opportunity for local presidents to make recommendations and share ideas with the State organization.

 

LOCAL PRESIDENT’S ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT:  Oversees all Local Presidents in the State with the purpose of sharing ideas, seeking help for Local Presidents office and making recommendations to the State organization, and is an immediate past local president.

 

LOCAL OFFICERS TRAINING SCHOOL (L.O.T.S.):  Local Officers Training School is held annually.  This is a training workshop for all Local Members.

 

MAKE A WISH:  This is our State Program.  The Make-a-Wish Foundation of Nebraska was founded to grant the special wished of children with life threatening illnesses under the age of eighteen, throughout the state of Nebraska.  The Nebraska Women of Today provides funds for this program so we can help provide a joyful and meaningful experience for a sick child and their family.

 

MEMBERSHIP VICE PRESIDENT:  Oversees recruitment, retention, reactivation, orientations and extension activities. Keeps accurate membership records.

 

ORIENTATION:  A function of educating members about the Women of Today organization, its benefits and opportunities. 

 

PARLIAMENTARIAN:  An advisor on matters relating to parliamentary procedure.

 

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT:  Programs where members have an opportunity to gain personally from the investment made in other areas of Women of Today. Programs include Focus on Women, Women in General, Personal Enrichment Programs, Effective Speaking, Effective Writing, Success Through Enthusiastic Participation and Family Time.

PLAN OF ACTION:  A written blueprint for achievement that a chairperson or chapter develops.

 

POLICY:  Rules of practice and procedures which supplement the constitution.

 

PRESIDENT:  Is the presiding officer of the organization and the chairman of the Executive Board.

 

PRESIDENTIAL MEDALLIONS:  Presented by the State President for Outstanding Service, enthusiasm, dedication, and active participation in the Projects and/or Programs of the Women of Today.  Any member may submit nominations.

 

PROGRAMMING VICE PRESIDENT:  Oversees the implementation and promotion of all state and national programming areas.

 

PUBLIC RELATIONS:  Disbursement of information through media to the general public, not to be confused with publicity.

 

PUBLICITY:  Advertising for a specific event.

 

REGION:  A group of chapters within a geographic area.

 

REGION DIRECTORS:  A liaison between the Local and State organization.

 

RETENTION:  Renewing of an individual’s membership for another year.

 

ROBERT’S RULES OF ORDER:  A guide book of parliamentary procedure.

 

 

SECRETARY:  The official recording and corresponding officer of the organization.

 

SPONSORSHIPS:  It’s the financial, material, or physical support from an outside individual, group or firm for Women of Today programs.

 

STATE CONVENTIONS:  A convocation of membership that shall include business meeting, seminars,  awards and fellowship.

 

STATE PHILANTHROPY:  Aid to Foster Children.  Money’s raised by the Nebraska Women of Today benefit Foster Children through supplementing foster parent incomes to cover “extras” for the children.  The funds are distributed through Nebraska Friends of Foster Children Foundation, Inc.

 

SUCCESS THROUGH ENTHUSIASTIC PARTICIPATION (S.T.E.P.):  This is an activation tool for new and existing members.

 

SUCCESS SYSTEM:  A membership tool designed to help local chapters to become involved in all areas of our organization.  This program is managed under L.P.A..

 

TREASURER:  Shall be responsible for incoming and outgoing funds of the organization.

 

WOMEN IN GENERAL:  These include 6 categories:  Personal Concerns, Careers, Lifestyles, Legacy and Promise of Women, Health and Economics.

 

WOMEN OF TODAY:  A person over the age of 18 and who is a member of a local, state, and national organization.

 

WOMEN OF TODAY WEEK:  A week set aside for chapters to celebrate Women of Today. This will be celebrated the third full week in September.