Thursday, April 26, 2012

A New Resolution for Gold Star Wives

I am pleased to add my support to a resolution Potomac Chapter members Rose Lee and Edie Smith plan to introduce at the Gold Star Wives Middle Atlantic Region Conference coming up this weekend (text below).

Speaking for myself, new media will be an important aspect of the future success of Gold Star Wives. We must fully embrace it, or our organization will fade. The old, static model has come and went. We must be willing to grow, and we must have the freedom to exercise our good judgement in doing so.

I think the proposal below is an excellent start, and I'm proud to stand behind it.



Gold Star Wives of America
 Middle Atlantic Region Conference
April 28, 2012

RESOLUTION

STANDING RULES:
RELATED TO CHAPTERS, #1

Submitted by Rose Lee, Edie Smith, Siobhan Esposito

WHEREAS, Gold Star Wives Standing Rule #1, states: 
1.   A Chapter Assistance Packet will be sent to prospective chapters by the Chapter/Region Liaison Chair.  This packet contains policies, procedures, and necessary information concerning report forms and required filing dates.  Region Presidents and new chapters are to review the Chapter Assistance Packet for detailed instructions and current forms to be followed in forming a new chapter. (2003, 2011)
WHEREAS,  Gold Star Wives information is not widely distributed.  GSW policies, procedures, and necessary information concerning report forms and required filing dates should be posted on GSW National website, to include GSW most recent Constitution, Bylaws, and Standing Rules and other policies. 
WHEREAS,  Gold Star Wives policies need to incorporate a GSW formal technology plan that would take into account both GSW’s need to protect its brand with its decentralized, chapter-based structure.  That is to say, there should be common-sense guidelines established, for example guidelines for logo use, no vulgarity, no stand on political elections, no stand on issues unrelated to GSW’s declared mission.  Beyond that, chapters should otherwise be left free to implement their own technology solutions and left free to use and adapt new technology as their independent judgment demands.   
WHEREAS,  These are documents crucial to our organization and they should be freely disseminated; further, will help cost effectiveness, rather than paying for stationery and postage, except where it’s necessary to mail to those without access to computers. 
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED,
1)    
a)   A Chapter Assistance Packet shall be posted on GSW National website, as well as be made easily available for those who do not have access to computers.  The Chapter Assistance Packet shall contain all of GSW’s policies, procedures, and necessary information concerning report forms and required filing dates relevant for GWS chapters.   
b)   A Chapter Assistance Packet for New Chapters shall be posted on GSW National website as well as be made easily available for those who do not have access to computers.    The Chapter Assistance Packet for New Chapters shall contain all policies, instructions and current forms to be followed in forming a new chapter, and Region Presidents and new chapter leaders shall be provided the Chapter Assistance Packet as necessary to facilitate the creation of new GSW chapters.
c)   GSW’s Constitution, Bylaws, and Standing Rules shall be posted on GSW National website, as well as be made available at a nominal charge for those who do not have access to computers. The charge for paper copies of these documents may include the reasonable cost of reproduction and postage for mailing, but shall not include any additional surcharge.
d)   GSW shall adopt a formal Internet technology plan and publish this plan on GSW National website, to include guidelines for the use of GSW’s logo and other intellectual properties, a prohibition against vulgarity, a prohibition against public stands on political elections, and a prohibition against public stands on issues unrelated to GSW’s declared mission.  Beyond the guideposts illustrated above, chapters shall be left free to implement their own technology solutions as they deem necessary and left free to use and adapt new technology as the independent judgment of their officers’ demand.

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