Gerard BiancoI also heard from Vice President Francis Moul about the intentional growth efforts in process in Portland, ME. Secretary David Smith told me the Vice President,, a writer, artist, jewelry designer and adept marketer, was the moving force behind their push to renew their club, so I called him. Both men told me that as they looked around, they saw a club on a plateau. Gerard spoke to their Board suggesting a plan to market the club.The Board granted Gerard $1,000 to redesign the club website (add site address here) and create a marketing card to give to possible new members with an elevator speech outlining "What Is Torch?" on the back of the card. A plan is in the works for a gathering later in the spring for guests to be brought by each member with the hope of gaining a number of new folks for their group.  The marketing card works-four persons have responded to the invitation to attend, three signed on the dotted line! If other clubs wish to prepare materials for guests, IATC has good suggestions for what to include in a prospective member packet.  Also, should your club host an event such as the one the Maine Club is considering-a reception or meeting especially to invite friends as potential new members, the IATC will reimburse your club for the dinners of the prospective members who actually fill in a membership form, including the application fee. We want to promote life-long learning and new friendships among professionals, and this is one way to do that and increase our membership as well.

The Torch Club in Blacksburg, VA, has probably been in the social media vanguard for Torch-their club is on Facebook! Barbara Newton, a member of the Montgomery County Club, is leading the charge.  She says that Facebook is a good way for members to keep in touch with club activities. It is free and simple to use, easier than it used to be, according to Barbara. And, if your club cannot see their way clear to establishing a website, this may be an answer to marketing your Club.

Barbara suggests starting with a Club member or two who have a Facebook account-very likely to keep in touch with family members, possibly grandchildren.They can help get your club started on the road to posting pictures, the subject and author of your next Torch paper, a brief bio of that person, and any other information that provides a window into your activities.

Barbara has provided a very clear outline of what to do to begin a Facebook account, including screen shots as a guide. Jim Coppinger has created a link to this outline on the Torch website- see How To Create a Facebook Page. Look it over!  Think of the endless marketing possibilities! When all else fails, take the easy path-ask a younger family member to help you do this-you may be pleased with the results.

 

It's not too early for Clubs to be choosing delegates to the 2015 Annual Meeting in Lincoln, Nebraska. The Fall edition of The Torch featured a centerfold promotion of the great things to see and do.

The major bonus is the gathering of Torch members from around the country and Canada to do the business of the Association and have a good time touring, eating and socializing. The Hagerstown, MD Club members have voted to provide an additional $250 for a delegate to attend, an excellent idea to promote participation. Other clubs might follow that example. The Torch Foundation trustees will be on hand to explain their projects and how you can join their efforts to support the IATC.

For the past couple of years, I have been talking with and e-mailing Torch folks from around the country and Canada, and would truly enjoy seeing faces to go with the voices of my new friends!

We get this question-a lot.

Some normally articulate, intelligent individuals suffer from glossophobia, derived from the Greek words for "tongue" and "fear" or "dread." They get "stage fright," actual physical symptoms too grim to print here. My question here is, what to say when people hear they may have to give a paper as a condition of Torch membership and back off?

My experience from several years as program chair is that the best way to deal with people who feel this way, but would really enjoy the Torch experience, is: "Come join us, you don't have to give a paper until you have been with us for a couple of years, get to know the other members as your friends, feel comfortable, then maybe you will begin to think of an idea for a paper."

That very often works well-a new author creates a paper.  And yet, there may be other people who prefer to serve as a loyal club officer who never will decide to present a topic. There are enough professionals who present without hesitation, having a larger audience for their efforts isn't all bad either. Let's ease glossophobics into our fellowship-they may have discussion questions that illuminate the presentation or be valued members in other ways. Let's include, not exclude.

The Blue Ridge Club, Leesburg, VA has a book exchange at every meeting. Members who have read a good book they want to share bring it along to trade. Most of the books are new or very recent. The Club also has a members-only summer potluck picnic, an event they anticipate every June. This is the home club of Anne Thomas, the new Region 3 Director, succeeding Michael Parsons, whose increased academic teaching load took enormous time and energy.  We welcome Anne to the IATC Board!

At the end of each Torch season, the Hagerstown, MD Club conducts a survey to determine the members' "Most Favored Paper" given in the concluded season. The author of the chosen paper receives a signed and framed certificate at the September club meeting. This process is also carried out in the Winchester, VA Torch Club, perhaps where Hagerstown heard about the idea.

The Fox Valley, Appleton, WI Club assigns Round Table Discussion topics during the dinner hour. Club members and guests are invited to participate, with each person given 2-3 minutes to contribute to the discussion.The topic for November was, "Talk about your favorite, or most notorious ancestor, and why." That sounds as though it had possibilities!

What does your club traditionally do that could be shared with the rest of us? Let Jim know and he will clue me in. Or, e-mail me at tnhaas@comcast.net. I'd love to hear.

I hope everyone is thinking about what their Club can do to help meet the goals we have set for our Centennial Observance in 2024-Five thousand members and 100 clubs in the next ten years is doable if we all put our thinking caps on and get moving! 

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