Planning Meeting #3 Recap
After our last meeting when we identified the need to establish a long-range vision and mission statement, the Shrinking Violets met again on August 11th to discuss this and other topics. However, with only four of us in attendance, the decision was made to postpone discussion of our mission until a time when we can gather input from the larger group. Taylor and Crystal will be working on developing a survey to measure members’ interest in the group and reasons for being involved as a means of guiding the development of our mission and vision.
A review was made of on-going events and future events. It was agreed that existing events have been a fun and valuable aspect of participating within the group. Observations were made that future events should be scheduled as they are convenient and there is no need to make further events monthly, unless the need and interest warrants it. Upcoming events include a Drop In Art Afternoon, hosted by Taylor and Tiffany, scheduled for Saturday Sept. 19th, and a special Fall Fashion Postview hosted by Mariah and Area 58 on Sept. 21st, as well as the regular Ladies Who Lunch on the second Saturday of every month and the book club meetings on the third Sunday of every month.
Weaknesses in our communications were identified as we have largely relied on Facebook for the promotion of related events. All present agreed that an effort should be made to expand communications using avenues already available to us, such as the group email list and our blog, diamondinthebasalt.com. Observations were made that a clear purpose and direction for the blog needed to identified and that there is a desire for more regular content as well a more contributors. The possibility of a meeting with blog contributors was brought up, but not scheduled. The need to more actively communicate with various SVS sub-groups was brought to attention and in the future, organizers of said groups will be contacted directly prior to the meetings for input on the group’s activities.
Again, participation of the larger SVS community was addressed and a desire to invite new members was expressed. All in attendance agreed that outreach should be made to make members who have not yet attended an event feel welcome and encouraged to participate. Leadership opportunities within the group were discussed and needs identified. The monthly Ladies Who Lunch is in need of a regular coordinator, Mariah can be contacted for details of this position. Attending members agreed that all members are encouraged to organize events that would be of benefit to SVS and that co-planning an event would be an easy way for members to plan new events.
We sure covered a lot of ground in our meeting! Please fell free to share your feedback in the comments below. We would just like to reiterate that membership is always open and new members are encouraged to join. We love seeing new faces and meeting new people!
Thank you so much for taking the time to post this recap. I wasn’t able to make it to the meeting, but I am very interested in the proceedings. I just think it is so important for people to learn how to work together like this. You gals are great!
I am definitely interested in being an active member of the group, but am really not interested in joining Facebook to do so. I think that the suggestion made to email people is great. I’ve had no communications as to events, meetings, or how to actively participate. I also know quite a few people who are interested in meeting with the group, but share my wariness about joining Facebook to do so. Maybe a monthly calendar of meetings, events, and a contact sheet can be emailed out once a month so that people can plan effectively, and know about what’s going on. If you send it out the week before the new month begins, I think you will see an amazing response to events and meetings.
My only other thought is that while I think it is great to have so many options of events, maybe whittling it down to fewer things will encourage membership. It seems a little haphazard with so many things going on, and I think that it splinters membership.
Also, I really encourage supporting neighborhoods and local business. How about doing some neighborhood outreach programs? Delivering meals, fund raisers for school supplies for needy kids in our community, cleaning up parks etc. As winter approaches, a canned food drive, or a coat drive, taking up donations to buy a bunch of the window insulator plastic and then hanging it for the elderly or the people who will have a hard time paying their electric bill.
I’m not sure that any of these suggestions are ones that fit in with what you guys are trying to do with the group, but I think it would be great to be a group of young people who have a large focus on giving back to our community. It also would allow us, en masse, to really see what issues Spokane has, and maybe make an impact on the perceptions and attitudes around here. I’m happy to help organize any of these events, just let me know.
[...] our last meeting on August 11th, the Shrinking Violets met again on October 24th to review existing projects and [...]