OUR CHAPTER - IN TRANSITION

Over the last several years the LPGA Amateurs Central NJ chapter has struggled to find chapter members willing to step up and take on the task of running the chapter as members of the board.   Other chapters have had similar struggles.   The end result of this is the Management team of the LPGA Amateurs has recognized this issue and has now approved chapter use of a new board model.

So why a new board model and what does that mean?   
      The new board model was developed to offer chapters increased flexibility, reduce the number of board members and increase the President’s term from the current one year to a two year term.  It means is that the chapter will be run by three officers, plus some directors and committees versus the current model of 4 directors (Membership, Events and Golf Programs, Marketing and Finance) and the President with an optional Vice President.

So how would this new model work?  
      The chapter will have a minimum of three officers: President, Secretary, and Treasurer.   These officers are the legal authorities and are responsible for effective management of the chapter.  Among their duties will be presiding over meetings (President), keeping minutes (Secretary) and signing contracts (Treasurer).
      The new model then includes a minimum of three directors which can be the same three people as the officers.   They can also be different individuals within the chapter, if so desired. The directors are responsible for developing the overall objectives and direction for the chapter.  The President must also be a director.
     The key difference in this model is the creation of committees.   The committees are where the key activities and work in the chapter come together.   Among the recommended committees are: events, membership retention, recruitment, leagues and marketing communications.

So what does this mean for the Central NJ chapter?
      The current board has approved a recommendation to transition the chapter to the new board model.   With the new by-laws approved, the Board has begun the transition to the new model.   Board members has confirmed who will remain.   From this team, directors will be appointed, the treasurer and secretary will be confirmed.
      With the management team in place, the work of setting up committees will begin.   The chapter already has an Events Committee and a team of league coordinators which will transition to become the League Committee.   The new directors will be soliciting volunteers to assist on the newly formed committees.   

So what does this mean for me?
       Volunteers will be needed for the new committees that will be assisting in the tasks necessary to run effective programs for the chapter.   With the responsibility for tasks being shared, this means many hands will make this less work for each person.   So, please think about how you might use your skills to help the chapter.  Requests for committee members will be sent out shortly. We are working on breaking down our major responsibilities in running our chapter into more discrete roles, so that you get a better feel for what is required for a given committee.

Change is sometimes scary and unsettling.   The current Board truly feels that the transition to this new model is in the best interests of the Chapter.   Success in making the transition will be a combination of leadership and the dedication of EACH and EVERY chapter member.   Please consider how you might make a contribution, and volunteer to be on a committee!