WFWP MARYLAND ON THE RISE: MEMBERSHIP DRIVE RENEWS ENTHUSIASM IN CHAPTER
Spring is a time for new beginnings, and for WFWP Maryland, that means the introduction of some new members and a welcome back for members continuing their membership!
For two Sundays in a row, April 22nd and April 29th, 2018, WFWP MD prepared a table at New Hope Family Church in Bowie, MD (the first time it was outside under an inviting tent and banner, and the second time it was inside with more foot-traffic) to promote WFWP and its many projects and programs, as well as to encourage those interested to sign up for WFWP membership.
The WFWP MD chapter met together on April 15th to plan this event, and that’s when current member Pauline Eby offered to give donated gifts to current WFWP members who renew and to anyone who signs up. Another member, Emiko Butler, agreed to coordinate other details regarding space usage, supplies, and materials. There was a buzz in the air when these two women in particular took responsibility and became excited about the project. I barely had to ask them- this was the most inspiring for me!
As the new WFWP MD Chairwoman, I sent out emails to the New Hope Family church community with information about the membership drive itself and also about who can be a member and how they will be making a difference by being so. I also asked WFWP USA Administrator Kiyomi Schmidt to send us ‘Become a Friend’ cards and other materials.
All three of us- Emiko Butler, Pauline Eby, and I- set up the tables both times with the gifts (jewelry, keychains, pens, and bookmarks), brochures, info cards, and ‘Become a Friend’ cards, the Schools of Africa project information, membership forms, and boards with pictures showcasing WFWP Maryland’s past activities.
We were open, friendly, and inviting, and by the end of the two Sundays, we got 3 new sign-ups and 3 renewals. Some people observed that we were back up and running, which, although this chapter was never dormant in the first place, made me realize how much more effort we need to put in to showing off our amazing organization and including people everywhere into it.
This marks for our MD chapter the beginning of something new- we are becoming more active and inspired to do more, and I believe it started with, first, the monthly meetings we’ve had since December 2017, and then also this membership drive. Looking forward, we will continue our efforts by collaborating via email, and expanding the membership drive to a new audience- our local community beyond the church. Eventually we want to host an informational seminar/session that goes into more specifics about what WFWP is, in the hopes of breaking long-held concepts and inspiring collaboration and membership.
Maryland is on the rise!
