NETWORKING
Each of us as executive
women and men representing our firms must find our own way
to open doors for our firms and ourselves. The tools are made
available to us through EWI. The Chapter and International
Directories are the best tools you can find. Look through
them carefully; become familiar with how they are laid out
and determine how they might best serve you and your firm.
Because of the quality of
the firms associated with EWI, your company will benefit greatly
from the relationships you develop as a member. You will be
afforded the ability to network and learn from other members. You
will find personal satisfaction in the opportunity for professional
growth, camaraderie, and social interaction.
Personal growth through association
with EWI is completely in your hands. Opportunities abound
at every turn; be creative; be the executive women and men
that you are; and take full advantage for your firm and yourself.
EWI MEETINGS
Monthly dinner meetings
are generally held on the third Tuesday of each month. However,
any meeting may be rescheduled at the discretion of the Board. There
are several different types of EWI meetings and they may differ
within a given Chapter. Spokane Chapter meetings are as follows:
- Regular program meetings
- Firm nights
- Business meetings
- Ways & Means fundraisers
- Firm Recognition Night
- Officer Installation
REGULAR PROGRAM MEETINGS
The Program Committee
is responsible for selecting the meeting site and planning
the activities for those evenings. The format varies, but
there is usually a speaker who may select any number of subjects
(e.g., motivational, education, inspirational, etc.).
FIRM NIGHTS
Firm Nights are held
during any Program meeting month and spotlights one of our
member firms. The Spokane Chapter generally holds two to three
Firm Nights each year.
The Program Committee assists
the Host Firm in planning the evening. The EWI Firm has the
prerogative of selecting the meeting site (which could take
place at the Firm's place of business), the menu, the entertainment
and the program. Firm Nights are one of the most effective
ways for a Member Firm to "tell its story" to other
EWI Representatives and Executives. Firm Nights are always
special; each one is different, and all are enjoyable.
BUSINESS MEETINGS
Business meetings are
generally held in March, August and October. It is important
that all representatives attend these meetings as this is
when matters requiring a vote are considered. While guests
are welcome, they should be advised that business will be
discussed. Business meetings can also be called at any time
by the President.
WAYS AND MEANS FUNDRAISERS
These events are the
responsibility of the Ways and Means Committee and can be
held during any month as agreed by the Board. The Committee
selects the site, menu, and the fundraising activity which
has ranged from a dinner, dance and silent auction, to theatre
night at Civic Theatre, to a Murder Mystery. The activity
raises funds for the scholarship and philanthropy activities
of the organization and members are encouraged to invite co-workers
and friends.
FIRM RECOGNITION NIGHT
This is a night when
we honor our executives and our firms. The Program Committee
is responsible for selecting a special speaker or deciding
on a very special event for this evening. We usually have
a more elaborate evening for our special guests, and the cost
of the dinner may be slightly higher for this event. Executives
are invited by printed invitation and are encouraged to attend.
A mini-trade fair is also generally held during the social
hour of the evening and gives member firms an opportunity
to showcase their firm.
INSTALLATION
Installation of Officers
and Directors is held in October. The incoming President is
given charge of this meeting, working with the outgoing Program
Director to choose the site, menu, etc. The program consists
of installation of the Board. The newly-installed President
makes an acceptance speech and highlights the goals for the
upcoming year.
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS
Each member firm must
be represented by a representative or an executive at seven
(7) meetings within the Chapter year and must not miss three
(3) consecutive meetings at any time during the term of membership
at the discretion of the Chapter Board of Directors. After
three (3) consecutive meetings have been missed, a letter
will be sent to the member firm with a copy sent to the representative.
Any member firm not represented at three (3) consecutive
meetings at any time during the term of membership will, at
the discretion of the Board, be subject to termination. Failure
to have a representative or an executive attend seven (7)
meetings within the Chapter year shall cause the member firm
to forfeit membership.
A representative must attend a minimum of six (6) meetings
during the Chapter year.
LEAVE OF ABSENCE
Upon a representative's
written request, the Board of Directors may grant a leave
of absence, not to exceed three (3) months, free of
obligation of attending meetings, providing the applicant
at the time of request is in good standing in the chapter
and remains in good standing during the leave of absence with
respect to payment of dues.
Clarification: if your
firm is not represented for three (3) consecutive months,
and you request a leave of absence in the third month, a leave
of absence will only be granted for a third month, not the
first and second. It is important to remember that the Board
will grant a leave of absence only when the reason for the
absence is deemed appropriate (e.g., illness, work commitment)
and repeated leaves are not to be granted to an individual
within the same calendar year. An excused leave never provides
the firm, the representative or the Chapter with the benefit
of attendance at the meeting.
MEMBERSHIP CLASSIFICATION
EWI is an international
organization of leading non-competitive business and professional
firms. The key phrase for our purpose is: "non-competitive
business and professional firms." First, let's address
the RULE and then the APPLICATION OF THE RULE.
The RULE: Each EWI
Chapter is comprised of non-competing firms.
Now that we know the rule,
how do we apply it?
The answer: Each
member firm is classified by the nature of its business.
Each firm receives two classifications:
The MAJOR classification
identifies a company's general area of business.
The MINOR classification identifies a company's specific
area of business.
EWI has defined about 100
MAJOR classifications.
EWI has defined about
1,000 MINOR classifications.
Because there are only about
100 MAJOR classifications under which EWI member firms fit,
many firms will share the same MAJOR classification.
Admitting or not admitting
firms into EWI is the prerogative of each member firm. We
each have the right to block or grant the privilege of membership
to our individual competitors. Because we "post"
each prospective member firm in our Chapter newsletter, the
EWI representative and/or executive can accept or reject a
firm before the Chapter extends an invitation. It should be
pointed out, however, that an objection must be in writing
and be from the executive of the objecting firm and be received
by the Membership Director within 10 days of posting. It must
be a legitimate objection, i.e.; the firm would be in direct
conflict with the existing member firm, etc. In the event
the Board feels the circumstances do not warrant such an objection,
then the objection can be overturned, but not before the Board
carefully weighs the negative effect such an action would
have upon the existing member firm.
COMMITTEES
Executive Advisory Committee
Executive Advisory Committee
consists of two to three firm executives, serving 3-year terms,
to consider and advise on any matter concerning the Chapter
at the request of the President or the Board.
Membership Committee
Membership directs the
activities of the Chapter in securing new member firms and
in processing all changes in membership in accordance with
the Bylaws.
Mentoring Committee
Mentoring is responsible
for assigning mentors to our new members. They are also responsible
for facilitating, coordinating, and monitoring the Chapter
Mentoring program. The Chair of this Committee is not a Board
member and is appointed by the President.
Nominating Committee
Nominating shall present
a Slate of Officers and Directors for the coming year at the
September meeting. This Committee is also responsible for
presenting names to be considered should any vacancies occur.
The Chair of this Committee is the immediate Past President.
Philanthropy Committee
Philanthropy is responsible
for investigating and developing philanthropic projects which
would be appropriate for the Chapter, and assist in administering
projects which are already part of the Chapter's philanthropic
program. The Chair of this Committee is not a Board member
and is appointed by the President.
Program Committee
Program is responsible
for planning and arranging the programs for the regular meetings
of the Chapter.
Publications Committee
Publications is responsible
for the preparation, publication, and distribution of the
Chapter's monthly publication, The Pulse and other publications
as needed.
Scholarship Committee
Scholarship is responsible
for coordinating the EWI Scholarship competition in area high
schools for EWISP and with area colleges for ASIST. The Committee
works directly with schools to encourage participation and
to inform them of the guidelines for the EWI scholarship awards.
The Committee selects the panel of judges that determine the
scholarship winners from our Chapter. The Scholarship banquet
to announce the winners is held in May. The Chair of this
Committee is not a Board member and is appointed by the President.
Ways & Means Committee
Ways & Means devises,
suggests, and supervises the ways and means of financing special
activities of the Chapter. The Committee makes recommendations
to the membership of its purposes and plans for securing funds.
Such plans are first submitted to the Board of Directors for
approval.
OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS (BOARD
POSITIONS)
