Chapter Update from Bobbie Nelson, Governor for San Mateo, Contra Costa, East Bay, Santa Clara and Monterey Bay Local Chapters

Well here it is July 15th and almost ½ a year has gone by already. I talk with all the Chapters I oversee via e-mail regularly and they all seem to be having great years, wonderful programs and good membership growth. The Presidents are working hard and representing their Chapter well. I have had more contact lately with the President-Elects who are excited to start planning for their year and soon to be leaving for the Leadership Academy.

This month I had the pleasure to visit the East Bay Chapter for lunch. Their Chapter has lots of excitement and is growing by leaps and bounds; George Johnson at the helm is doing a fine job at generating interest for WCR in his area. One thing he does at their luncheons is they introduce each other, they spend about five minutes interviewing each other and then they introduce the person to their right. What a great way to network and learn more about our members. He also recognizes quarterly a Realtor and an Affiliate that has gone above and beyond in the spirit of WCR.

San Mateo Chapter is doing a fine job at membership recruitment. Denise Aqulia got the message when they said at National that building membership is an all year event. They have installed 7 new members in the last few months. Way to go San Mateo. I plan to join them at their meeting in September anyone close might want to come also. The topic is “Tame your Computer” now here is some good information everyone can use. They also are planning their big fundraising event a Wine Tasting and Auction on Oct. 3rd. If you are interested in going please contact Denise for tickets.

Santa Clara Chapter celebrating it’s 50th year one of the largest Chapters in the Nation and still growing under the wonderful leadership of Janice Miners. Janice and her team have introduced ambassadors from WCR that take back information on programs and presentations to their office meetings. She is also working on a mentoring program to align a new member with an established member to create a feeling of belonging for the new member. It also is a great way to get more members involved in a small job that they feel that they can do. Nancy Domich this year started a Corporate Sponsorship program to help cover cost for the Chapter it was a great success and they are already planning for next year as it is important to contact all your sponsors as they make their budgets. Most companies have their budget sessions and planning in October so the letters of request should be out to them by September.

Monterey Bay Chapter is almost 1 year old. Winner of the Brick by Brick contest for their membership recruitment efforts in their class. It was right around the time of our October meeting last year that National chartered them. Susan Clark along with her team has done a GREAT job on programs. Their attendance at meetings is almost 100%. If you are looking for some unique and interesting topics contact Susan as they have had a blockbuster set of meeting this year. The Mayor Panel where all the mayors in the Monterey County came and did a panel very interesting. They also had their first fundraising effort a rummage sale that brought the chapter $1,000. They are planning a great Caribbean Night in October just after our meeting so everyone can stop on the way back and attend. It is Saturday October 12th with a silent auction and casino night and music something for everyone. Another hint on getting members to the meetings is that their phone tree is calling three times to remind them of the meetings. Once at their home and once at the office then a follow up call. As you can see it seems to be working very well.

Contra Costa Chapter at 106 members and growing Toni Lane’s team and chapter are going great.
They had their fund-raiser this April that raised over $90,000 and there are planning their Fashion Show that is not to be missed. Barbara Safran is also hard at work planning for next year and has already gotten confirmation that Barbara Lach, National WCR President will be here in California to install her. Contra Costa is also proud of their online registration for meetings and events on their own web site www.wcrccc.org visit them to stay on top of the programs and event that Contra Costa is putting on.

I would once again like to thank the Chapter Presidents and the State Chapter members for the wonderful opportunity to experience all the great energy and talent that make up our WCR family.