“Winning the Three-Legged Race: Make membership, Leadership and Public Relations Work for You”
Virtually, every club situation, project and fundraiser contains an aspect of membership, leadership and
communication. For our clubs and members to be successful, it is important to never lose sight of this fact. A
good way to reinforce this message is through the discussion of real-life club scenarios. This workshop
contains six scenarios, each written with a set of discussion questions, which can easily be conducted at club,
district and/or state meetings. The workshop requires no special equipment and allows your members to bring
their own experience and creativity to the table.
INSTRUCTIONS:
 Workshop should have a facilitator who introduces the workshop, explains the exercise and
coordinates the wrap up portion of the workshop.
 The group should be divided into teams of 6-8 members. Seating at round tables is ideal.
 Each team should be given one of the scenarios. If the group is large and there are more than six
teams, the same scenario can be given to more than one team.
 Team members should take 2-3 minutes to read the scenario and review the discussion questions.
 Before the team discussion begins, each team must select a scribe and spokesperson. For this exercise,
the scribe will be the facilitator. During the discussion, the scribe will record the answers to the
questions. The spokesperson will share answers to the questions during the wrap-up portion.
If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact the following GFWC Chairpersons or the GFWC Georgia Chairpersons:
Suellen Brazil, GFWC Leadership Committee Chairperson at sbrazil@bcbe.org or 251-626-2386
Bev Lassiter, GFWC Membership Committee Chairperson at bevlassiter59@gmail.com or 704-542-1426
Patty Whitehouse, GFWC Communications & Public relations Committee Chair at pattynjsfwc@msn.com or 908-234-2522
SCENARIO ONE
You have been a member of your club for five years. You have been an active member and you were
recently elected club president. Two of the past club presidents, who are well-liked and respected by
members of the club, have opinions on everything and can be disruptive at meetings. Recently, they have
become very negative when new ideas are suggested. It is discouraging to the new members as well as the
longer term members who want to make some changes in the direction of the club. One of the proposed
changes is a joint project with another community group to undertake a much needed community
improvement project. Two of the newer members have many contacts in the community, including the
other community group, and are willing to make some necessary contacts to “get things rolling” with the
other group.
 Leadership –
o What can or should you as the Club President do to reduce negative disruptions during club
meetings? Are there any aspects of good protocol or parliamentary procedure which can be
utilized?
o How could the experience of the past presidents be used in a constructive and positive way?
 Membership –
o How could a member survey/questionnaire or brainstorming session be utilized to identify and
prioritize the changes members would like to be undertaken by the club?
o How could the new members be encouraged to lead? What can be done to quiet the fears of
longer term members?
 Communications and Public Relations –
o In what ways could the club introduce itself to the other community group?
o What communication tools can be used and how can they be used to garner support from the
club membership and the larger community for the community improvement project?
“Winning the Three-Legged Race: Make membership, Leadership and Public Relations Work for You”
Virtually, every club situation, project and fundraiser contains an aspect of membership, leadership and
communication. For our clubs and members to be successful, it is important to never lose sight of this fact. A
good way to reinforce this message is through the discussion of real-life club scenarios. This workshop
contains six scenarios, each written with a set of discussion questions, which can easily be conducted at club,
district and/or state meetings. The workshop requires no special equipment and allows your members to bring
their own experience and creativity to the table.
INSTRUCTIONS:
 Workshop should have a facilitator who introduces the workshop, explains the exercise and
coordinates the wrap up portion of the workshop.
 The group should be divided into teams of 6-8 members. Seating at round tables is ideal.
 Each team should be given one of the scenarios. If the group is large and there are more than six
teams, the same scenario can be given to more than one team.
 Team members should take 2-3 minutes to read the scenario and review the discussion questions.
 Before the team discussion begins, each team must select a scribe and spokesperson. For this exercise,
the scribe will be the facilitator. During the discussion, the scribe will record the answers to the
questions. The spokesperson will share answers to the questions during the wrap-up portion.
If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact the GFWC Chairperson or GFWC Georgia Chairpersons:
Suellen Brazil, GFWC Leadership Committee Chairperson at sbrazil@bcbe.org or 251-626-2386
Bev Lassiter, GFWC Membership Committee Chairperson at bevlassiter59@gmail.com or 704-542-1426
Patty Whitehouse, GFWC Communications & Public relations Committee Chair at pattynjsfwc@msn.com or 908-234-2522
SCENARIO TWO
Until fairly recently, the membership of the club had been homogeneous. Most members are retired and
of a similar age, race and religion. The newer members are younger, professional women with young
children, lots of new ideas and are more ethnically diverse than the longer term members. From time to
time, there have been some “rubs” between the newer and longer term members, but nothing serious has
developed. Currently, there are some major disagreements regarding the club’s largest annual fund raiser,
a Tricky Tray/Silent Auction. However, over the past two years, it has become more difficult to get
volunteers to organize the fund raiser. Two other organizations now conduct a similar project annually so
attendance has been down. Several of the newer members have an idea for something different and are
excited about the prospect. A group of influential longer term members are critical of the project. You are
a longer term member, but you think it is time to do something different, but you are in the minority.
 Leadership –
o What can or should the club officers do to create a positive and constructive environment at
meetings? What aspects of good protocol or parliamentary procedure which can be utilized?
o How could the experience of some of the longer term members be used in a constructive and
positive manner?
 Membership –
o How could a member survey/questionnaire or brainstorming session be utilized to identify and
prioritize the changes members would like to undertake for the club?
o How could the new members be encouraged to lead? What can be done to quiet the fears of
longer term members?
 Communications and Public Relations o How can internal club communications tools be used to garner support for the new fund raiser
among the membership?
o What can be done to gain support outside the organization for the new fund raiser? How soon
should it begin and what communications tools could be used?
“Winning the Three-Legged Race: Make membership, Leadership and Public Relations Work for You”
Virtually, every club situation, project and fundraiser contains an aspect of membership, leadership and
communication. For our clubs and members to be successful, it is important to never lose sight of this fact. A
good way to reinforce this message is through the discussion of real-life club scenarios. This workshop
contains six scenarios, each written with a set of discussion questions, which can easily be conducted at club,
district and/or state meetings. The workshop requires no special equipment and allows your members to bring
their own experience and creativity to the table.
INSTRUCTIONS:
 Workshop should have a facilitator who introduces the workshop, explains the exercise and
coordinates the wrap up portion of the workshop.
 The group should be divided into teams of 6-8 members. Seating at round tables is ideal.
 Each team should be given one of the scenarios. If the group is large and there are more than six
teams, the same scenario can be given to more than one team.
 Team members should take 2-3 minutes to read the scenario and review the discussion questions.
 Before the team discussion begins, each team must select a scribe and spokesperson. For this exercise,
the scribe will be the facilitator. During the discussion, the scribe will record the answers to the
questions. The spokesperson will share answers to the questions during the wrap-up portion.
If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact: the GFWC Chairpersons or the GFWC Georgia Chairpersons:
Suellen Brazil, GFWC Leadership Committee Chairperson at sbrazil@bcbe.org or 251-626-2386
Bev Lassiter, GFWC Membership Committee Chairperson at bevlassiter59@gmail.com or 704-542-1426
Patty Whitehouse, GFWC Communications & Public relations Committee Chair at pattynjsfwc@msn.com or 908-234-2522
SCENARIO THREE
Your club’s membership does not have younger members, but it is eager to add younger members to the
club’s roster. Two of your members are recently retired elementary school teachers and have been
discussing the idea of starting a Juniorette Club as a way to involve younger members in the club. Two
other members read in a Federation publication about Junior Clubs being established on college campuses
and thought this might also be a good way to involve younger women in the club’s community service
activities. Your community has a local college and several of your members have a number of contacts at
the college. However, none of the current members were Juniors of Juniorettes so no one is quite sure
what these clubs do nor how each is structured, but the good news is that the members are willing to
learn and do anything to move one or both of these projects forward.
 Leadership –
o What can the club officers do to educate the club’s membership about Junior and Juniorette
Clubs? How might the Federation district, state or national resources be utilized?
o What materials are available to help the club’s questions?
 Membership –
o How could a member survey/questionnaire or brainstorming session be utilized to identify and
flush out members concerns and suggestions?
o How could the members be encouraged to lead the investigation of these projects?
o If your state does not have a Junior Membership, how might your club structure a Junior Club
on a college campus?
 Communications and Public Relations o How can internal club communications tools be used to garner support for the project among
the membership? What tools should be used to publicize the establishment of a Junior or
Juniorette Club?
o What should the club do to determine if there is interest in the community to start a Juniorette
Club or Junior Club on a college campus?
“Winning the Three-Legged Race: Make membership, Leadership and Public Relations Work for You”
Virtually, every club situation, project and fundraiser contains an aspect of membership, leadership and
communication. For our clubs and members to be successful, it is important to never lose sight of this fact. A
good way to reinforce this message is through the discussion of real-life club scenarios. This workshop
contains six scenarios, each written with a set of discussion questions, which can easily be conducted at club,
district and/or state meetings. The workshop requires no special equipment and allows your members to bring
their own experience and creativity to the table.
INSTRUCTIONS:
 Workshop should have a facilitator who introduces the workshop, explains the exercise and
coordinates the wrap up portion of the workshop.
 The group should be divided into teams of 6-8 members. Seating at round tables is ideal.
 Each team should be given one of the scenarios. If the group is large and there are more than six
teams, the same scenario can be given to more than one team.
 Team members should take 2-3 minutes to read the scenario and review the discussion questions.
 Before the team discussion begins, each team must select a scribe and spokesperson. For this exercise,
the scribe will be the facilitator. During the discussion, the scribe will record the answers to the
questions. The spokesperson will share answers to the questions during the wrap-up portion.
If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact GFWC Chairpersons or the GFWC Georgia Chairpersons:
Suellen Brazil, GFWC Leadership Committee Chairperson at sbrazil@bcbe.org or 251-626-2386
Bev Lassiter, GFWC Membership Committee Chairperson at bevlassiter59@gmail.com or 704-542-1426
Patty Whitehouse, GFWC Communications & Public relations Committee Chair at pattynjsfwc@msn.com or 908-234-2522
SCENARIO FOUR
Several members of your club, including you, have been more involved in Federation district and state
activities for a number of years than in the activities of your local club. While you have been more focused
on activities outside of the local club, the membership of the club has evolved and most of the current
members are not well-versed in the Federation history, traditions, activities, etc. As a result, there is little
support for Federation activities and projects and at the last meeting, questions were raised about the
Federation dues, specifically what the local club receives for the dues it pays to the Federation.
 Leadership –
o What can or should the club leadership do to educate the membership about the Federation?
o How could the experience of the past club presidents as well as those involved in district and
state activities be put to use in a constructive and positive way?
o What type of project could the membership undertake that would illustrate the power and
value of the Federation?
 Membership –
o The club does not have a New Member Orientation. How could the implementation of a New
Member Orientation be utilized to educate new and more experienced members about the
club and the Federation? What steps could be taken to create the New Member Orientation?
o What other things can be done to raise awareness of the larger organization and the value of
membership?
 Communications and Public Relations o What internal club communications tools can be used to education the club’s membership
about the history, traditions, activities, etc. of the Federation?
o What other communications tools are available to the club to help educate the membership
about the Federation?
“Winning the Three-Legged Race: Make membership, Leadership and Public Relations Work for You”
Virtually, every club situation, project and fundraiser contains an aspect of membership, leadership and
communication. For our clubs and members to be successful, it is important to never lose sight of this fact. A
good way to reinforce this message is through the discussion of real-life club scenarios. This workshop
contains six scenarios, each written with a set of discussion questions, which can easily be conducted at club,
district and/or state meetings. The workshop requires no special equipment and allows your members to bring
their own experience and creativity to the table.
INSTRUCTIONS:
 Workshop should have a facilitator who introduces the workshop, explains the exercise and
coordinates the wrap up portion of the workshop.
 The group should be divided into teams of 6-8 members. Seating at round tables is ideal.
 Each team should be given one of the scenarios. If the group is large and there are more than six
teams, the same scenario can be given to more than one team.
 Team members should take 2-3 minutes to read the scenario and review the discussion questions.
 Before the team discussion begins, each team must select a scribe and spokesperson. For this exercise,
the scribe will be the facilitator. During the discussion, the scribe will record the answers to the
questions. The spokesperson will share answers to the questions during the wrap-up portion.
If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact GFWC Chairpersons or GFWC Georgia Chairpersons:
Suellen Brazil, GFWC Leadership Committee Chairperson at sbrazil@bcbe.org or 251-626-2386
Bev Lassiter, GFWC Membership Committee Chairperson at bevlassiter59@gmail.com or 704-542-1426
Patty Whitehouse, GFWC Communications & Public relations Committee Chair at pattynjsfwc@msn.com or 908-234-2522
SCENARIO FIVE
Your club has been a member of the Federation for more than 50 years. During that time, several members
have served as district chairmen and officers as well as on a number of statewide committees. However,
currently none of the club’s members are serving in any positions beyond the local club. At a recent district
meeting, the club presidents were encouraged to submit the name of at least one member to attend the
state’s LEADS program from which one member is selected to represent your state at the annual GFWC LEADS
program. While you were aware of the two programs, you had not really thought about encouraging members
to apply. However, as you think about it, your club has three to four members who would be great candidates
for the program.
 Leadership –
o What can or should you as the club president do to educate the membership about the state’s
LEADS and GFWC LEADS program?
o What can the club do to help offset some of the expenses incurred by its members by attending
LEADS?
 Membership –
o How could the experience of the club members who have served in district positions be put to use
to encourage members to apply?
o Your club does not have a Mentoring Program. How could the implementation of a Mentoring
Program be utilized to encourage new and more experienced members to apply for LEADS?
 Communications and Public Relations o What internal club communications tools can be used to educate the club’s membership about
LEADS?
o What materials and resources are available to the club to help encourage your members to apply
for LEADS?
“Winning the Three-Legged Race: Make membership, Leadership and Public Relations Work for You”
Virtually, every club situation, project and fundraiser contains an aspect of membership, leadership and
communication. For our clubs and members to be successful, it is important to never lose sight of this fact. A
good way to reinforce this message is through the discussion of real-life club scenarios. This workshop
contains six scenarios, each written with a set of discussion questions, which can easily be conducted at club,
district and/or state meetings. The workshop requires no special equipment and allows your members to bring
their own experience and creativity to the table.
INSTRUCTIONS:
 Workshop should have a facilitator who introduces the workshop, explains the exercise and
coordinates the wrap up portion of the workshop.
 The group should be divided into teams of 6-8 members. Seating at round tables is ideal.
 Each team should be given one of the scenarios. If the group is large and there are more than six
teams, the same scenario can be given to more than one team.
 Team members should take 2-3 minutes to read the scenario and review the discussion questions.
 Before the team discussion begins, each team must select a scribe and spokesperson. For this exercise,
the scribe will be the facilitator. During the discussion, the scribe will record the answers to the
questions. The spokesperson will share answers to the questions during the wrap-up portion.
If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact GFWC Chairpersons or GFWC Georgia Chairpersons:
Suellen Brazil, GFWC Leadership Committee Chairperson at sbrazil@bcbe.org or 251-626-2386
Bev Lassiter, GFWC Membership Committee Chairperson at bevlassiter59@gmail.com or 704-542-1426
Patty Whitehouse, GFWC Communications & Public relations Committee Chair at pattynjsfwc@msn.com or 908-234-2522
SCENARIO SIX
Over the years, your club has had a number of smaller fund raisers each year. During a recent brainstorming
session, a number of the members expressed a desire to do just one major fund raiser each year, instead of
the five to six smaller ones, and several of the new members had some really good ideas. Not surprising, some
of the more experienced members were hesitant to abandon the “tried and true” for something they had
never done. The club grants two scholarships each year to graduating high school seniors and makes a number
of grants to local charities and projects and the club needs to raise enough money to continue its community
service activities. The club could stand to make a few changes and as the club president, you are willing to try
anything. However, you know to go to a single fund raiser will require careful thought and member sign-on to
be successful.
 Leadership –
o What can or should the club leadership do to investigate the possibilities? How could an
investigative committee be helpful?
o How should the establishment of an investigative committee be introduced to the membership?
Who should be on this committee?
 Membership –
o How could partnership with another community organization be useful? How would you approach
them with your ideas?
o How could enlisting the participation of non-members as well as members on the project be
utilized?
 Communications and Public Relations o What internal communications tools should be used to engage the membership in the investigative
process as well as the status of the project?
o What would the project’s Media Campaign include? How soon should the campaign begin? Who
would be involved?