Building Engaging Programming For Your Members

Building Engaging Programming For Your Members

Association Requirements Elect a President, Secretary and Treasurer annually. It is best if the same officers don t hold the same positions for many years in a row. Encourage your association to rotate and get new officers in those positions. Schedule and hold at least four meetings per year. Celebrate Kappa heritage with a Founders Day event.

New Graduates Can Bring New Membership and Fresh Ideas for Programs Reach out to new graduates and new alumnae in the community. Help to match them up with other recent graduates and alumnae. Work with pledge class groups to recruit members for your association and plan special events for those age groups. Sponsor local graduating seniors with a send-off activity and recruit them to join your association.

What is RIF? RIF is the nation s largest children s literacy nonprofit RIF helps to deliver free books and literacy resources to kids who need them most For many of the children served, the RIF books are their only books They are the books that fill their hungry minds and nourish their future successes in school and life Since RIF s establishment in 1966, RIF has provided 35 million kids with 400 million new, free books Today, there are 16 million kids living in poverty in the U.S. To reach them, RIF needs Book People to Unite

Successful Projects for Small Associations RIF project with a local school district. Sponsor a local elementary school by donating books and volunteering to read to students. Participate in the Holiday Sharing (Rose McGill) program through the Kappa Foundation. Help collect and then sort food at a food pantry. Volunteer at a women s shelter or at an animal shelter. Work together with a local chapter on a service project. Participate in a charity walk/run event. Knit baby blankets or hats to donate to hospitals to be given to new parents. Plan visits to Nursing Homes. Know a service member? Adopt him/her and regularly send holiday cards to the platoon, company, etc.

Successful Projects for Larger Associations Kappa Tablescapes is an annual event sponsored by the Dallas Alumnae Association. The event brings local designers, florists and retailers together to create magnificent and unique table decorations for the benefit of annually selected agencies. Kappa Holiday Homes Tour has been held in Kansas City for the past 62 years during the first week of December. Kappas work with homeowners and florists to present a Holiday tradition tour that is enjoyed by thousands of patrons every year.

Successful Projects for Larger Associations The St. Louis Alumnae Association is strongly committed to supporting a local nonprofit organization, Redevelopment Opportunities for Women (ROW). The event that they hold is a trivia night with prizes and activities throughout the evening. The Houston Alumnae Association has held their Pilgrimage Homes Tour since 1941. This is a biennial fundraising event that has become a Houston tradition. Local florists and talented Kappas displayed their artistry in five beautiful homes to celebrate the joys of the season and inspire holiday decorating.

Other Philanthropy Project Ideas Indianapolis - Kappa Kareer Night Denver - Book Signing Event Chicago Loop - Lydia Home for Children Wichita/Little Rock - Author Luncheon /Dinner

Programming and Social Events Bunco night Fun with floral arranging / holiday wreath making Cooking / recipe tasting party Home decorating demonstrations Women s safety and identity theft awareness Painting pottery Jewelry night (make it or shopping) City / community concern presentations Fashion show Chili supper party with guests / souper bowl party

Programming and Social Events Zip code neighborhood party Wine tasting (or wine and cheese) Winter couple s party TGIF Night Owls and association social Adopt a community garden Spa night manicures/pedicures Movie night (especially if it is a dollar movie) Intergenerational events Kappas for a lifetime Ritual review Personal Shopper Night Flip flops and lemon drops summer event Book-signing event

Kappa Interest Groups/Clubs Meet me at the gym walk and run for fun Game night - Bunco, board games TGIF - dinner group Book clubs Kappa K-9s Kappa Kids / Moms with strollers Kappa Koffee Needlework group Bridge and cards club Yoga/Pilates group Cooking/recipe club Pinterest crafting groups Dinner and a movie night Kappa Hikers Kappa Golfers

Programming Affects Membership and Membership Affects Programming How will your programming and philanthropy projects affect your membership? How does your membership affect your programming and philanthropy projects? Remind your groups to make program and philanthropy planning a priority, it does help with membership. A goal and project will help your members feel connected and increase your participation.

Group Discussion: Share and Compare Please break out into groups of 10 and share and discuss what your groups have done that has been successful in the areas of programming. What would be some new ideas that you would like to incorporate? How do you keep event costs down for your members? What can your association do to help with membership growth and interesting programming topics? What are some philanthropic projects that you have done that have been successful?

Final Reminders Kappa is competing for busy women s free time including both women who work in and out of the home. If the events are planned in advance, Kappa women get excited to attend, will pay their dues and plan time to be together. By having a variety of programming needs, you are appealing to Kappa women of all ages. We are a multigenerational organization. Kappa is for a lifetime.

Thanks for your attendance and participation!