Region C Director

Chapter Olympics

There's now $100 waiting for a chapter that receives recognition in the Chapter Olympics program for this year!

The “GWTA Chapter Olympics” idea was germinated from the need for a Recruitment and Retention program. In thinking about how we as an organization get new members, any objective analysis is that people join chapters, not the Gold Wing Touring Association.

So, before we try to put together any organization-wide member recruitment or retention program, it seems prudent that we help create an environment that encourages strong chapters first. In general, we need to show and exemplify what makes for fun, strong chapters, and provide tools and templates that other chapters can use to improve their programs.

The foundation of the GWTA Chapter Olympics is that fun, strong chapters have an easy time of attracting and retaining members. If we want our organization to grow and be stronger, we need to celebrate those chapters that are working well, and help other chapters consider things they might not have or may not be doing, which will improve their programs.

In looking over the aspects of a Chapter Olympics program, the categories which will be used include:

• Membership

• Riding & Safety

• Beyond the Chapter

• Administration

Membership	Riding & Safety	Beyond the Chapter	Administration
Has net growth in 11 month period	Has Fun After-Meeting Rides	Supports other chapters	Welcoming Committee, Info Kit
Fun, Active Member Recruiting Program	Organizes Fun Major Annual Event	Helping Hands Donation	Business Meetings, productive environment
Fun, Active Member Retention Program	Has fun annual rides planned	Participates in State  Regional and National Events	Sell 10 National tickets per membership
Has and uses fun monthly newsletter	Has Rider Ed program; members reach any level	Community Service	Chapter Registration Submitted on time

The Chapter Olympics will run from July 1, 2005 until May 31, 2006.  Many characteristics (net growth, on-time chapter registration, Rider Ed achievements, sells 10 National raffle tickets, etc.) will be measured by the National Office.  Other characteristics will be measured by State Directors (or in the case of our Canadian Chapters, PROVINCIAL Directors). 

Three specific Award Levels are available to all chapters:

• Bronze - for achieving 8 or more of the 16 credits

• Silver - for achieving 12 or more of the 16 credits

• Gold - for achieving all 16 credits

I pulled the information above from the national website www.gwta.org. Please encourage chapters to check their status and  contact their state directors to report any and all accomplishments. I know that all of the chapters can achieve a level in the Chapter Olympics. Let's set a goal of 100% participation. As the State Director you need to be checking with the chapters frequently to see if they have accomplished another requirement then forward that information to Mike and Carol Brush, the Chapter Olympic sponsors. Their e-mail address is in the header above.

Now about the $100...

Here's how it will work.  For those chapters that attain the Bronze level (8-11 points), they will get one ticket with their chapter name put into a barrel.  For those chapters at the Silver level (12-15 points), they will have two tickets entered.  For those at the Gold level (16 points), they will have three tickets.  All of the chapters who participate and attain any level will have a chance to win $100.00 for their treasury.  The more they participate, the better their chances.  They could use this to buy everyone in the chapter ice cream -- or what-have-you! The drawing will be held at Gold Rush during the Chapter Olympics recognition event.

Good luck to all of our chapters.