Comments On: New England SSA Chapter

I'm asking you New Englanders for help in forming a local Simian Society of America local chapter. Write me Bradnt@aol.com or Bradford Trethewey PO Box 1052, Concord NH 03302.
!!!!Let's show the rest of the country we also care about our monkeys!!!!
WHAT MAKES A SUCCESSFUL CHAPTER? Part 1
Thoughts expressed by many Chapter Officers over the past years
1. Keep in mind that the Chapter is composed of individuals. Each has his/her own ideas on how the Chapter should be run and each must have the opportunity to present those ideas and have them receive sympathetic consideration.
2. Personal feelings are easily hurt. Guard against wounding the ego of any member.
3. Don't overlook the fact that you have new owners who need fundamental help and advice. See to it that they get the beat advice possible but keep in mind that you do not "know it all" and give others a chance to express their opinions.
4. Remember that Chapters are social gatherings as well as educational forums. Treat everyone with the consideration you would give any guest in your home.
5. Business meetings should be conducted with dignity and decorum. Insist that good parliamentary procedure be followed and do not permit any personal arguments to develop.
6. Programs (i.e., videos or lectures) can be good, but be sure that they are wanted and will be interesting to the members.
7. Allow plenty of time for questions and answers and try to get everyone to participate in the discussion
8. At all tirnes, remember that our purpose is SIMIAN WELFARE; don't let the unimportant interfere.
9. Start promptly and adjourn promptly; don't let things drag.
10. Have a "gripe" session now and then, either open discussion or written, where each member expresses what he/she doesn't like about the Chapter or the meetings. Don't let it get personal.
1l. Refrain from discussing financial matters as much as possible. Visitotors and prospective members can be scared away by immediate pressures to join or contribute.
l2. Set your dues at an amount adequate to operate the Chapter. They should be high enough to take care of normal expense: the Chapter including the issuing and mailing of notices.
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I'm asking you New Englanders for help in forming a local Simian Society of America chapter. Write me Bradnt@aol.com or Bradford Trethewey PO Box 1052, Concord NH 03302.
WHAT MAKES A SUCCESSFUL CHAPTER? Part 2
Thoughts expressed by many Chapter Officers over the past years
13.The Chapter must be dedicated to the welfare of the simians and all questions should be decided on how they will affect the simians involved. If it is beneficial for the monkey involved, then it must be the appropriate thing to do.
14.A project is necessary to maintain member interest. Fund raising for a sanctuary; a program for temporary care and placement for primates; formation of a Chapter library are just a few suggestions.
15.Try to locate an interested veterinarian who is willing to research information on primates and will see them as patients.
16. If possible, issue a Chapter bulletin or newsletter keeping members informed as to news of each other, how to best care far their monkeys, new ideas on feeding, housing, enrichment, etc.
17.DON'T LET YOUR CHAPTER BECOME A ONE PERSON ORGANIZATION?
18.Rotate your officers. Limit terms to one or two years. After your term, let the new officers run things; don't try to keep control.
19.The most important thing for a successful Chapter is harmony within. This is not easy as there are bound to be personality clashes and petty jealousies. As a rule, these are due to lack of understanding between parties. The members should be instilled with the spirit that it is THEIR organization and it will be what they make it.
20.Authority and, jobs should be delegated among the members to make as many as possible feel that they are a part of the Chapter.
21.Whenever a question arises as to policy, or any important question, it should be thoroughly discussed by the members at the meeting. If people appear hesitant to speak their mind, call on various ones to get their opinion. Whatever the majority votes should be your Chapter policy and adhered to.
22.You cannot please everyone no matter how you try, so don't try. Make every effort to have all members be a part of any decision and what the majority wants, so be it.
23.There are bound to be some dissenters. Appoint a grievance committee composed of 4 or 5 members. Anyone who has a problem, let them take it to the committee for review. Have the committee report it to the general membership, discuss!
Brad and Trouble
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I'm asking you New Englanders for help in forming a local Simian Society of America chapter. Write me Bradnt@aol.com or Bradford Trethewey PO Box 1052, Concord NH 03302.
WHAT MAKES A SUCCESSFUL CHAPTER? Part 3
Thoughts expressed by many Chapter Officers over the past years.
at an open meeting, vote on it, and accept the vote.
24.Consult your officers regularly, ask their advice; consult your members, ask their opinions--the members are the Chapter.
25.Feel free to consult your National officers. They don't know all the answers but they can help.
26 .The National Bylaws (article IX) is also another Source of information regarding requirements Chapters should meet.
27.Misunderstandings arise. Be sure you know what the other person has in mind before getting upset. Words do not always convey the thought intended.
28.We are not organized for personal glory. Submerge your ego and keep the simians FIRST in all your thinking.
29.Encourage visitors and give all the help you can to any simian or simian keeper, but make membership in the Chapter and attendance at its meetings a privilege. Don't encourage "hangers~on" who want all of the benefits of membership without any of the responsibility.
30.Limit to 2 or 3 the number of meetings a non-member may be permitted to attend and stick to this limit. Let them either join or move on.
Remember that these are only guidelines and suggestions. Each Chapter operates under somewhat different conditions and each must decide for itself just what policies are to be adopted.
Mary Overton National Chapter Supervisor,
Active Chapters listed in the August 1998 Simian
Chapter 13 - Mid Atlantic President- Cliff Lewis
Chapter 28 - Mid-America President - John Hall
Chapter 47 - Texas President - Marie Meyer
Chapter 50 - New York President- Dhurjati Mueller
Chapter 51 - Arizona President - Tirnmye Morgan
Chapter 54 - Staten Island, NY President - Lynn Vendetti
Chapter 55 - Arkansas President - Kay Weatherly
Chapter 56 - Oklahoma President- Barbara Parker
We'd like to add a North Atlantic or New England Chapter to that list.
Brad and Trouble
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