TENNESSEE LEADERSHIP SEMINAR SAYS “GOODBYE” TO HOBY –“WELCOME” TO CONTINUED LEADERSHIP SEMINARS FOR TENNESSEE STUDENTS

As mentioned in “Lana’s Letter” there have been major changes at HOBY International, none of which seem to be good for Tennessee students. Consequently, Tennessee Leadership Seminar, Inc., which has successfully operated the seminars for HOBY for a large number of years has opted to terminate its affiliation with HOBY. Following is an article prepared by Joan Beaver, GFWC of TN Past President and long time member of the Tennessee Leadership Seminar Board. Joan’s article gives a good explanation of HOBY’s decision as well as how clubs can continue to support a Leadership Seminar for Tennessee students.

Those of you who were able to attend Fall Conference know that all of this became known to us at that time. There, we listened to explanations from Tennessee Leadership Seminar Board members as to why they felt it mandatory to terminate the HOBY affiliation. The prevailing opinion of our members in attendance was that TLS had made the correct decision given the extreme action HOBY had chosen to take. The TLS Board also requested that GFWC of Tennessee allow them to add “ Endorsed by GFWC of TN” to their name, publicity, etc. I appointed an Ad Hoc committee to gather information regarding our liability and responsibility and to report no later than our Spring Convention.

The other prevailing opinion was that clubs want to continue to support a leadership seminar and are willing to support Tennessee Leadership Seminar without the HOBY affiliation. Therefore, I am going to call a meeting of the Board of Directors to consider adding Tennessee Leadership Seminar as a GFWC of Tennessee project like our Mt. Division project and CARS project. This will allow clubs to continue with their financial and volunteer support while the Ad Hoc committee gathers the necessary information to decide whether or not to officially add our name as endorsing the seminars. In the meantime, please read Joan’s article carefully, as it tells you exactly how to help a leadership seminar for Tennessee students continue uninterrupted. Thanks to Joan for all of her hard work on this.

NEWS and "Requests" --Joan Beaver

Clubs are getting back to their work and so is Tennessee Leadership Seminars, formerly HOBY! For 44 years, there was a seminar for high school sophomores at no cost to the schools, the parents or the students. Recently, the decision was made to charge $150 for a registration fee which would go to HOBY, International. In light of this determination, The Board of Directors of Tennessee voted to withdraw from HOBY. There will still be a seminar, but it will be for high school sophomores or juniors and will be held the third weekend of May at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Until we can determine the number of students, the first year under the new organization, there will only be one seminar which will be limited to 125 students.

How can you and your club help???

Sponsorships of students is the first priority. $175 is a sponsorship cost for a student, but any donation will most certainly be appreciated. One of the greatest concerns is in obtaining the funding prior to the seminars. Last year, we had approximately 105 students attending the West site and 117 students attending the East site. By April, we get very nervous about the donations which should be mailed to us. As an added incentive, we are offering something this year. IF YOUR CLUB HAS YOUR DONATION IN TO OUR TREASURER BY APRIL 1, WE WILL BE ABLE TO LIST YOUR CLUB'S NAME IN OUR PROGRAM BOOK!

Please mail your sponsorships to the TLS Treasurer, Martha Coradini, 2607 Chimney Lake Circle, Soddy-Daisy, Tennessee 37379. She sends a prompt acknowledgement of your contribution and we assure you the donations are GREATLY appreciated!

We are especially proud to announce that BOTH of the Tennessee sites were awarded "Outstanding" Site awards at the HOBY Training Institute this past August in Arizona. In addition, our Corporate President, Steve Sabados, was honored with one of the six Corporate Presidents' Award. We congratulate Steve as well as West Site Chairperson Holt Cason and East Site Chairperson Mark Beaver. How else can you help??? We can also use volunteers during the seminar weekends! Want to be a team leader?

We still need you to collect those small soaps, shampoos, conditioners, lotions, etc. which can be given in the goody bags, as well as bags of candy. These may not seem much, but it is greatly appreciated when some of the students forget items.

As a part of the volunteer service project, our students collected over 500,000 aluminum tab tops which were presented to Ronald McDonald Houses in Nashville and Chattanooga. The Ronald McDonald Houses cash them in and use the funds to stock their food closets. In addition, the West site brought items which were put in shoe boxes and decorated, then presented to GFWC of Tennessee President Lana Robinson to be taken for the Unicorn Project. East site made ceramic clay angels which will be sold by Chattanooga Room in the Inn at their fund raising bazaar. Room in the Inn is a temporary shelter for women and children who are homeless.

Tennessee Leadership Seminar truly appreciates the support of the members of GFWC of Tennessee, and the Federation continues to be the largest supporter of the program. GFWC of Tennessee is "OUTSTANDING!" Thank you!

 

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