We are one CREW: Leading into the future
CREW Network is investing in annual training for chapter leaders to build their leadership skills, create stronger chapters, and create a unified CREW experience. The skills and learning gained here will help members be stronger leaders and employees. See tentative outline below.
Chapter leaders serving as president and president-elect for calendar year 2024 are required to attend and will be reimbursed up to $500 USD in transit costs as long as all sessions are attended. This event is exclusively for individuals serving in these roles.
Start Time: 2:00 pm CT, October 19, 2023
End Time: 2:30 pm CT, October 20, 2023
Location: Hilton DFW Lakes Executive Conference Center, Dallas, Texas USA
Attendees: Each chapter is required to send their 2024 president and 2024 president-elect to the training and each person must participate in all training activities. Additional leaders are not eligible to attend.
Registration: There is no fee for participating. CREW Network staff will connect with eligible participants in early October 2023 to obtain details of arrival/departure and collect dietary/accommodation requirements.
Hotel Accommodations: CREW Network will manage hotel reservations (including payment) for the night of Thursday, Oct. 19. If additional hotel nights are needed, please coordinate with Jenny Weissenbach.
Expenses:
- CREW Network will reimburse up to $500 per person in transit costs*.
- Receipts for flights and other travel-related expenses will be required for reimbursement.
- Evaluation of the training will also be required before receiving reimbursement.
- Participants may each submit one reimbursement request for travel-related expenses (up to $500 per person); all receipts must be submitted together.
- Expense reimbursement form will be shared on Oct. 20
- CREW Network will cover 1 hotel room night for all participants, and a second hotel night, if necessary, with advance approval.
- CREW Network will provide dinner, breakfast, and lunch during the training.
*Consider ways to minimize costs by collaborating with the other participants from your chapter (e.g. share rides to/from the airport). If expenses are expected to exceed the $500 USD stipend and the chapter is not able to cover the additional cost, participants should contact Jenny Weissenbach before booking.
Contact us with questions:
Jenny Weissenbach, Director, Chapter Services
Emily Reineke, Chief Member & Chapter Services Officer
Tentative Agenda:
Thursday, October 19
Participants arrive by 1:30 pm
Welcome/Overview 2:00 pm – 2:15 pm
One United CREW 2:15 pm – 2:30 pm
Governance 101 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm
Good governance is one of the most important factors in the success of a chapter as it defines operating norms, practices, accountability structures, and any unique needs of the organization. This session, led by Donna Dunn of Tecker International, will provide an overview of the role of the board based on organizational maturity, the fiduciary responsibilities, governance documents, and best practices in committee structure.
Inspiring and Leading Volunteers 4:15 pm – 5:45 pm
Volunteers are the heart of a chapter and serve in both small and big leadership positions across the organization. This session, led by Lowell Aplebaum of Vista Cova, will be an interactive discussion about volunteer expectations, motivation, training, and the personal value gained from volunteer roles. Participants will discuss the challenges and successes they have faced identifying, recruiting, and managing volunteers and the role that culture plays in the volunteer experience.
6:15 pm - Reception
7:00 pm – Dinner
Friday, October 20
7:15 am – Breakfast & Networking
The Responsibility of Leadership 8:00 am – 10:00 am
When a volunteer becomes a chapter leader, the expectations placed on that person changes. A chapter leader is expected to lead with purpose and authenticity and always operate with the best intentions of the chapter at the core of their behavior. Chapter leaders are the official voice of the organization and need to behave with integrity, restraint, and good judgement when faced with a myriad of challenges. This session will feature four past CREW Network board members who will share personal learnings and insights from their CREW leadership experience. Facilitated by Alyssa Dangler, CREW Network President; presenters include Alison Beddard, Holly Neber, Tara Piurko, and Claire Roberts.
Succession Planning Workshop 10:15 am – 11:45 am
Succession is a key component of all volunteer organizations and securing the right people at the right time is both an art and a science. This workshop, led by Cynthia Mills of The Leaders’ Haven, will be interactive and leave you with a plan for how to build the talent pipeline, recruit leaders, secure commitment, and ensure proper training. Cynthia will conduct the training virtually so that the volunteer serving as Chair of the Nominating Committee in 2024 can participate implement these lessons in the coming year; in-person participants will participate in breakout groups designed specifically for their role.
11:45 – Buffet Lunch available
Serving as President: Leading the Way 12:15 – 12:45 pm (Presentation during lunch)
As president, you are the most visible leader of the organization and other leaders and volunteers will watch your behavior and actions closely. As president, you should be conscious that your decisions have a ripple effect, either positive or negative, and it is your responsibility to lead in a strategic and thoughtful manner. This session, led by Jenny Weissenbach, CREW Network Chapter Services Director, will review CREW Network’s expectations for you and share a timeline and other resources provided by CREW Network to help you achieve success in this role.
Cultivating your Chapter’s Culture 12:45 pm – 1:45 pm
Organizational culture, the way a chapter feels and acts, can enable success or get in the way of it. This session will help you uncover elements of your current culture and opportunities to improve. It will incorporate promising practices for DEI and leadership skills that can support execution of presidential duties. In this highly interactive and energetic session, you will explore tools and frameworks to understand the power of cultivating your ideal culture and begin a journey towards that new future. This session, led by Sharon Newport, organizational consultant, and Georgetown University adjunct faculty, will coalesce all the elements discussed during the training and leave you with a deeper understanding of your role in shaping culture.
Chapter Best Practices/Recognition 1:45 pm – 2:00 pm
Emily Reineke, Chief Member & Chapter Services Officer with CREW Network will present a new resource that outlines best practices for chapter operations which will set your chapter up for success.
Closing Remarks 2:00 pm – 2:15 pm