Committees

Bylaw Review Committee: Dawn Scouton

This committee is responsible for annually reviewing state bylaws and policies. The state parliamentarian chairs this committee and other members include: state president, chairman of the board, executive director, and past parliamentarian. Other members are welcome to attend the committee meeting, which is held once each year.

Finance Committee: Vicki Rockwell

This committee is responsible for providing financial direction, designation of funds, and preparing the annual budget. The state treasurer, Ways & Means state program manager, immediate past state treasurer and five to seven additional members shall serve on this committee. This committee meets four (4) times each year.

Future Directions Committee: Kayla Hermann

This ongoing committee is responsible for reviewing member suggestions concerning organizational structure, administration or programming, especially long range planning in those areas, which have been approved by the membership. This committee is organized annually and meets at least four times during the year. The Future Directions Committee chairperson is appointed by the state president and serves a one-year term. Additional committee members are the state president, internal and external vice presidents, administrative vice president, membership vice president, chapter management vice president, chairman of the board, executive director, state parliamentarian, extensions director, marketing chair, MNWT Foundation chair, strategic planning chair, reporting subcommittee chairs, past Future Directions chair, and five (5) members from the general membership, who serve rotating two-year terms. Major subcommittees of Future Directions include:

Manual Review Committee: Jen Kinzer

The purpose of this subcommittee is to oversee the development and review of all manuals produced by the Minnesota Women of Today. Anyone wishing to publish a manual must have it reviewed and approved by the Manual Review Committee. The committee oversees the three-year manual review cycle.

Strategic Planning Committee: Becky Lysen

Established in 1998, this subcommittee is tasked with developing a long-range vision for the MNWT. Focus groups will help throughout the state, seeking input from all members. This committee developed the strategic plan approved by the membership.

Train the Trainer Committee: Joanne Larson

This committee was established to train Women of Today members in the skills needed to conduct any type of training the organization requires and to provide the necessary tools to support what you learn. If you are interested in being a “certified” Women of Today Trainer, be sure to go through the Train the Trainer program.

Key Women: Naomi Smith

The Key Woman Award is the highest honor a Minnesota Women of Today member can receive. It was designed as a chapter nomination of a woman who had shown exceptional involvement and growth in Woman of Today. The Key Woman Award started in 1975, as a system of recognizing women within the Jaycee Women organization for their dedicated service. The first award was presented at TOYM ion 1976. A woman cannot work toward this goal; it seeks her out after she has given her heart and soul to the organization.

Marketing Committee: Stacy Pearson

This committee externally promotes the Minnesota Women of Today. Activities include informational booths at expos, developing media kits and new brochures, and providing promotional materials at state-sponsored events. This committee is comprised of representatives from across the state and several executive council members, including the public relations state program manager, NEWSLET editor, web master and internal vice president. Major subcommittees of Marketing include:

Expo Committee

Established in 2002, this committee is in charge of reading materials and booths for the MNWT at women’s expos across the state. Expos where MNWT has a presence have been held in the following cities: Willmar, Rochester, St. Cloud, Buffalo, St. Paul and Minneapolis.

Buckets of Sunshine (Statewide Project Committee): Peggy Kaufman and Stacy Pearson, Co-Chairs

This committee is charged with locating an annual fundraising event for a needy organization that will benefit from our organization’s efforts. In the past, we have donated monetary and gift items to organizations such as: Mary’s Place, the Minnesota Coalition for Battered Women, Project Linus and Operation Minnesota Nice.

Membership Management Committee: Fay Clark

Established in January 1984, this committee works with the state president and her team to generate interest and excitement in meeting membership goals. Additional objectives are to find ways to increase chapter size, improve retention, assist with the addition of new chapters (extensions), and internally market our organization. This committee is also in charge of the First Timers Program at each state convention.

MNWT Foundation: Christine Harkess

This organization is not truly a committee of the Minnesota Women of Today, but a separate 501(c)(3) entity. Established in 1983, it supports the projects and programs of the Minnesota Women of Today. The purpose of the foundation is to raise and distribute funds to help further the educational, training and fundraising projects of the organization. The Foundation is working for and supported by each local chapter. All donations to the Foundation are tax deductible.