Training

This section contains information on both "Leadership Training" and "Newsletter/Website Training". "Click on your area of interest to go to it on this page."

Leadership Training

The Michigan District is very dedicated to the “Knowledge” part of the GWRRA motto, “Friends for Fun, Safety and Knowledge” through its "Leadership Training" programs.  A misconception of Leadership Training is, “It is only for the Officers”.  NOT TRUE!  Leadership Training is for everyone in GWRRA and a greater emphasis is being given to the Members. The training Members receive is useful not only in your GWRRA involvement but also your family and business life. During one of our courses, the District Staff, along with Regional and National guests, work very hard at making information available to the participants.  The District will continue to make training available to all the District Members and encourage you to sign up for one today. The two Leadership Training programs we currently offer are:

• Boot Camp

• The Horizons program

The best way we know how to demonstrate how much fun and informative these programs are is through the following article submitted to the "Michigan Wing News" back in the Spring 2003. In the article Midge Hollister mentions our past Senior District Directors, Ian and Audrey Holmes, who have since finished their tenure. We look forward to great things from them in the future.

(From the Spring 2003 issue of the Michigan Wing News)

On Saturday, March 22, forty-eight people gathered in a meeting room in Midland to begin a new journey for GWRRA of Michigan. This was the first Horizon Program offered in the District and these were the first folks to participate. As each couple arrived they were warmly greeted (and hugged – this is GWRRA remember!) by various members of the District Staff. It was good to see friends we hadn’t seen in awhile.

We settled in and began the purpose for which we were there – to become better leaders for our Chapter. We weren’t there long before we realized that not only were we going to work during the next day and a half but we were going to have fun (this is GWRRA remember!). Leo Wolfe led us through an exercise to discover our personal profile in relating to others.

It was at this point that we were divided into “Chapters” – a group of eight to ten people that we would be working and interacting with for the rest of the program. A director was assigned and we all nervously wondered what was in store for us. But we were up for the challenge (this is GWRRA remember!).

Don Gilbert, Region D Staff, presented the module on Expectations – both from the chapter leaders’ viewpoint and the chapter members. It was again stressed to us that “where the Chapter Director goes so goes the chapter.” What an awesome responsibility and honor we’ve been given.

Mark Zingery presented the Communication module. The importance of good communication within a chapter cannot be over emphasized. The tools for keeping our members informed and motivated were discussed. Chris Bobek talked to us about Meetings and Events. It was interesting to hear from others in the group as to what has worked and not worked in their own chapters.

Then it happened – we were given our assignment as a “Chapter” to develop a fifteen-minute mock meeting, which we would present the next day to the entire group. Our group took the opportunity to start our planning over food (this is GWRRA remember!). We met at a local restaurant and ideas for our “meeting” started flying around the table faster than the food could be served. Back at the hotel we met to set a meeting agenda and made a flyer for our “charity.” We laughed as ideas were shared and responsibilities assigned.

Sunday morning our “Chapter” gathered for breakfast and the anticipation of presenting our “meeting” was evident. Cindy Gilbert, Region D Staff, presented the last module, The Officer Couple. This reinforced the importance of the Chapter Director and spouse working as a team to support and serve the chapter.

Now it was time to present our “meeting” to the group. Each “chapter” had unique and fun ideas. Again, the camaraderie of GWRRA was evident. Laughter was shared along with information on new ‘charities’ – Mable and NERDD. Each “chapter” put to use the points presented to us during the last twenty-four hours. It was time to leave for home – good-byes were said and hugs were given (this is GWRRA remember!).

Bringing The Horizon Program to the Michigan District has been a goal of Ian and Audrey Holmes, Senior District Directors, for a number of years. There is a great deal of work that goes in to presenting a program such as this and the District Staff should be proud of their first Horizon Program. We left Midland with new ideas and enthusiasm for our role as chapter leaders. Thanks to the District Staff for your enthusiasm, work and effort – it’s not a surprise to us - remember after all, this is Michigan GWRRA!

Check to see if you are on the signup list      

Newsletter and Website Training

The Michigan District recognizes that the health of a Chapter greatly depends on its ability to communicate. The ability to get the word out to your fellow Chapter Members is the key to participation within your Chapter. With the age of computers and the Internet, have come some really great tools to help facilitate a Chapter's Communication needs. If you don't believe us ask what you are doing right now. You are using our Communication tool known as the Michigan District Website. Without this we would need to do a mass mailing campaign and create thousands of information booklets at the cost of thousands of dollars to equal the information contained in this website. Here are a few benefits a Chapter will realize.

• Cost reduction through the use of electronic communications, especially in the area of postage and paper cost. Depending on the size of the Chapter Membership the cost savings can be hundreds of dollars a year.  

• A common software source for both your electronic and hardcopy newsletters. The benefit of using a software program like "Microsoft Publisher" is that you can use it to print your hardcopy newsletters to mail to your Membership and then publish it to the District Website or the website of your choosing for others to read. With additional software like "Adobe Acrobat" you can create a printable copy of your newsletter and email it to your members.

• Having a Chapter website allows others to find you. Other than buying advertisement through a local media source, no other tool is as affective as the Internet in letting others know who you are, where you meet and what time to find you. Just ask our previous Region D Couple of the Year, Pat and Marie Beaudoin. Four years ago after purchasing a Goldwing, Pat searched the Internet to find a Goldwing organization in his area. Through the "National GWRRA" website he found the "Michigan" website which in turn took him to the "Chapter A" website in his area. They got the scoop on Chapter A and attended a meeting, the rest is history. The Michigan Staff is truly grateful to Chapter A in having the foresight of using the web as a recruiting tool and add such a great couple to our organization. 

Over the last few years the District has developed two learning guides that will help you get started using the computer as a communication tool.

For a hands-on guide to create a newsletter and publish it to the web. Be sure to download both before starting.

For a hands-on guide to create a Website and manage it. Once again, be sure to download both before starting.

For those Chapters that have decided to have the ability to edit their website online, use this link for reference information on using FrontPage to upload and edit your files.

Ever wonder how you can include a pdf document into your Newsletter without scanning? Well here is a quick tip guide that walks you through the process.

We also offer Newsletter seminars at both the Michigan Rally and Section Meetings. Contact your Assistant District Director in your area to get more information.