Page 13 - The Decorative Painter Spring 2015

We are excited about the wonderful happenings
of our SDP chapters.
Please let us know about your programs. Send information and photos to:
sdp@decorativepainters.org
ATTENTION
ALL
CHAPTERS
It’s that time of year again to get your forms to SDP, so mark your calendars with the following due dates:
FEBRUARY 16, 2015
Chapter Achievement Award Forms
are due to SDP.
Annual Chapter Treasurer’s Report is due to SDP.
FORMS CAN BE FOUND AT:
www.decorativepainters.org Chapters/Forms
JANUARY 1–MAY 15, 2015
U.S. chapters need to submit their
2014 990-N Electronic Notice to the IRS. www.irs.gov
If you have any questions about forms, dates, or requirements, contact our
chapters coordinator
at (316) 269-9300.
Chapter Spotlight
YOU’VE JOINED A CHAPTER...NOW WHAT?
by Margaret Riley
You got the welcoming invitation to “Come visit our chapter and paint with us!” So you went, and you loved the creativity and the friendly faces. Next thing you knew, you were joining. Now what?
Being a member of any chapter or organization doesn’t require that you eat, think, and breathe for them. But there are some things you can do to be an active member.
LEND A HAND
Don’t sit back and let everyone else do all the work. Join in. You will have fun! Figure out one or two things you can help with. Not sure where your help is needed? Let your fellow members know your talents and strengths (everyone has at least one), and ask what you can do to help. No one knows what you can or cannot do until you tell them. Don’t say to yourself, “I’ve done all this before and now I’m going to sit back and enjoy!” This won’t keep the chapter going. Without everyone’s help, the chapter will not survive.
ATTEND MEETINGS AND STAY INFORMED
Try your best to attend each meeting. This is the best way for you to stay on top of everything that’s happening within your chapter. Plus, you don’t want to miss out on the laughter and fellowship! If you can’t make a meeting, contact a member who did attend and find out what you missed.
Reading your chapter’s newsletter is also a great way to stay informed. If yours includes recipes or painting tips, it might just educate you, too.
BE RESPONSIBLE
Don’t expect other members to do everything for you. We’re all adults and don’t need our hands held. Whether it’s working on a project or completing a chapter task you’ve signed up for, if you can do it on your own, do it! But also know that fellow members are there to help if you need it.
Be courteous and arrive on time to meetings and events. This allows everyone else to stay focused and ensures that you don’t miss out on the fun.
TAKE ON RESPONSIBILITY
Have you served as a chapter officer? Try a position sometime. The rewards are much greater than you think. If everyone volunteers to serve on at least one committee, or to help make a chapter event successful, then everyone can enjoy belonging to the chapter! Just watch—each year your chapter will be better than the year before. So get that volunteer hand up in the air!
If you follow these simple guidelines, you will see how fun being a part of a chapter, especially one that is active, will be.
DECORATIVEPAINTERS.ORG
The Decorative Painter
• ISSUE NO. 1, 2015 11
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