We invite all members to join a committee.  As a member of a committee, you can take a leading role, or work on small projects here and there, depending on your schedule and availability.  We have something for everyone! Once the committees are formed for each TDW Hood County term, the committee members will select a chair and a vice-chair.  Alternatively, the President has the authority to appoint the chair.  As a group, you will be responsible for each other and for carrying out the functions of your committee. And, the most fun — joining a committee is how you get to know other members!

1. Membership Committee.

• Inform people about the TDW Hood County and how they can join.
• Lead an ongoing “out-reach” program to contact persons who may be willing to join.
• At the beginning of each year analyze, plan, and conduct a membership drive.
• Ensure membership brochures and written materials are available at TDW Hood County meetings and events, and at various community activities.
• Maintain the TDW Hood database of members on a spreadsheet.   Enter all members’ names, mailing address, email addresses phone number, and amount and date of dues paid in the database, check on and update obsolete contact information, add new members’ information promptly, enter each member’s participation in activities in a notes field.
• Maintain a database for all visitors to meetings, including names, phone numbers, and email addresses.
• Use databases to produce reports for Treasurer, and provide copies to any other Board member on request.
• Process membership applications, and coordinate with the Secretary and Treasurer to maintain accurate membership records.
• Welcome new members and follow up with calls to encourage involvement.
• Stay in touch with all members throughout the year with calls, emails, cards, etc.
• Handle check-in at monthly meetings and preside over attendance sheet.
• Always have membership applications at meetings and other functions, ready to recruit new members on the spot.  Make sure applications are completely filled out.
• Conducts a renewal of members at the end of each year.

2. Communications Committee. (Secretary Ann Schuessler is Chair)

• Maintain and continuously update the TDW Hood website and “private” Facebook page. 
• Contact various committee chairs for adding content to our newsletter, website and social media sites.
• Form relationships with the press and try to get them to write articles about TDW Hood.
• Send press releases about Hood County and State TDW activities.
• Create brochures, flyers, and other printed materials in coordination with other committees.
• Take or arrange for photos to be taken at TDW Hood’s events.
• Maintain TDW Hood’s e-mailing system, and send email blasts as directed by the Board

3-Outside Events Committee.

• Plan and execute periodic social events, such as happy hours, debate watching parties, dinners, scholarship and holiday events.
• Research local events of interest to women and suggest attendance at such events as a group from TDW Hood.
• Provide Communications Committee with information to post.

4- Program Committee. (Vice President Kat Sanders is Chair)

• Plan the speakers and programs for the TDW Hood monthly meetings.
• Present the proposed programs to the Executive Board for approval at board meetings.
• Invite speakers, confirm their attendance for a particular month, provide them with information about the TDW Hood, act as their main contact, and give the Board and Communications Committee details for promoting the speaker.
• At each meeting, greet the speaker, introduce him/her (or arrange for someone else to do the introduction), and assist the speaker out of the meeting afterwards.
• Write a note afterwards thanking the speaker.
• Provide Communications Committee with information to post.

5- Nominating Committee

• Anyone may join this committee.  This committee shall consist of at least three members (but no maximum number) who shall be elected at the meeting one month prior to the election of officers.  The consent of the candidate shall be obtained before placing a name on the slate of officers to be submitted for election.  Additional nominations may be made from the floor.

6- Political and Legislative Issues Committee (Irene Smith, Chair)

• Research and stay up-to-date with issues/happenings in the government at the local, state, and national level.  This will include attending hearings and debates in Austin.
• Keep up with issues that affect women and TDW Hood members.
• Report current issues at monthly meetings, as appropriate.
• Research and investigate studies or trends that may affect upcoming legislation.
• Monitor and track the progress of bills while the Texas Legislature is in session.
• Report status of bills as they traverse through the Legislature.
• Summarize at a meeting the recent legislation that passed, and bills that did not pass, which affect women and TDW Hood members.
• Provide Communications Committee with information to post.

7- Bylaws Committee (Appointed by the President)

• Draft amendments for TDW Hood Bylaws and first submit to Board of Directors for consideration.
• Submit proposed Bylaws amendment to membership for vote and approval.
• Transmit initial bylaws to State TDW Board for approval.
• Monitor to revise bylaws from time to time, as needed.

8- Sunshine Committee (Emily Kenny, Chair)

• Shall be responsible for acknowledging members’ special events and giving comfort to the ill or bereaved.