Community Connections - SPM: Leslie Goble

This programming area, not available prior to 2009-2010, encourages involvement in the local community (e.g. food shelf, a civic project, senior citizens, adopt-a-family, etc.). It was developed to assist and encourage MNWT chapters to become significantly involved in their local communities, resulting in "community connections"; increase recognition of a chapter's joint ventures with local community organizations, and highlight the following areas:

• Promote Friendship Ventures one trimester
• Promote the Outstanding Person with Challenges award, may expand to include people with physical challenges
• Promote the Community Connections Awards
• Promote national programming areas that do not fall under any MNWT programming area
• Promote a community-focused area of the SPM's choosing
• Honor chapters who have established outstanding community connections with Year-End Awards with a Community Connection Award.

Priority Area - SPM: Kandy Dorlack

The Can Do Canines programming encourages MNWT members, chapters, and districts to become educated about this organization that has been helping people with disabilities through the use of assistance dogs since 1987. Can Do Canines works with individuals who are deaf, hard-of-hearing or physically disabled, pairing them with dogs specially trained to alert them to important sounds or assist them in the activities of daily living.

Living & Learning - SPM: Brenda Nommensen

This programming area not available prior to 2009-2010 was developed to encourage a member's personal growth -- mentally, spiritually, civically and through family. Highlights include:

• Promote the Living and Learning certification
• Promote Personal Enrichment Program courses
• Promote the Women Who Impact Award
• Encourage use of USWT certifications, consider developing one universal certification form
• Keep competitions (one per year): Speaking, Writing and Impromptu
• Organize fellowship services, invocations and benedictions at convention

NEWSLET - SPM: Barb Swalinkavich

This is the official newspaper of the Minnesota Women of Today. Every member is encouraged to submit an article to this newspaper by contacting the state program manager. Items included are: staff and program manager news, awards received at conventions, personal notes, chapter highlights, etc. Each member receives a copy of the publication delivered to their home. The NEWSLET Editor will also offer tips and ideas on generating chapter and district newsletters.

Public Relations - SPM: Sue Ellen Toppings

Public Relations programming area is the "how to" in teaching our members how to market our organization by utilizing community assets; newspapers, cable, television, radio, network and businesses. Learn ways to spread Women of Today news! Founder's day is celebrated July 1 and Women of Today Week is celebrated in September. Promote MNWT as one of the top ten volunteer groups to be a part of in Minnesota. This is a USWT programming area.

Records and Recognition - SPM: JoAnn Miller

Records & Recognition is designed to help keep those important project records on file. Ideas for chapter histories come from this area, as do awards and incentive ideas. This area promotes the USWT Project Recognition program; advertising and promoting outstanding projects in each programming area; and encouraging members to complete Success and Year-End Evaluations.

Ways and Means - SPM: Dana Hoenigschmidt

Each chapter needs to raise funds for normal operating expenses. Check within your chapter handbook to see what your chapter does, and what month to expect a project. If you have an idea for a fundraiser, attend the board meeting and present it. The state organization raises funds several different ways. One of which is the State Store. There members can purchase items carrying the Women of Today logo, manuals and various other items of interest. The State Store is open at all conventions, as well as at LOTS and the spring area meetings.

Women's Wellness - SPM: Barb Berndtson

Women's Wellness is focused on providing and supporting women's health educaton through traditional and holistic medical practices, as well as balanced lifestyles. Highlights include promoting the March of Dimes WalkAmerica and promoting other health areas affecting women today.

Youth of Today - SPM: OPEN

This area covers a wide variety of projects whenever a service is provided to our communities, either directly or indirectly. It also promotes ideas and activities that allow youth to discover and experience the importance of volunteering, and also promotes foundations related to youth activities. A major emphasis in this area is Kid's Week held in August. The Outstanding Young Adult program is held annually at Winter State. Young persons are honored for their contribution to the community, and scholarships are awarded by the Minnesota Women of Today.