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ABA Job Description
WELCOME LETTER WRITERS COMMITTEE
BASIC FUNCTION
To extend the hand of friendship and fellowship to new ABA members/subscribers of the Bell Tower, through written correspondence.
WELCOME LETTER WRITERS COMMITTEE QUALIFICATIONS
1. Interest and time to write letters of welcome
2. Talent to project friendliness in letters and to provide information on ABA to new members
CURRENT BYLAWS AFFECTING COMMITTEE ACTIONS
Article VI - Executive Committee
Article X - Duties of Officers and District Representatives A. President
Article XI - Terms of Office for Appointees
Article XII - Duties of Appointees
Article XV - Non-rotating Committees
A. Welcome Letter Writers Committee
Current Procedures
Welcome Letter Writers Committee
1. The President furnishes the names of those serving on the Letter Writers Committee for the current year.
2. Send a "Welcome to Committee" letter to each committee member and enclose a sample letter that could be used for new member letters. Sample letter should indicate the nearest local chapter to the new member; also send new members name and address to the local chapter. Inform each letter writer of details on recording postage expense and payment by Treasurer.
3. Distribute new member names to Letter Writers when received from the Membership Chairman.
4. Ask each letter writer to submit a sample letter that they write.
5. Keep records of new member names and the letter writer to whom each was assigned.
6. Remit to Treasurer all expenses, with receipts, when the job is completed but no later than end of fiscal year, March 31st Committees whose budgets are large, remit expenses with receipts for payment periodically and send in any remaining expense no later than end of fiscal year, March 31st.
7. Submit four copies of annual report to ABA Recording Secretary at the Executive Committee meeting held before the annual convention; if not attending convention, send four copies of annual report to the President three weeks before convention.
8. The Chairman shall attend Executive Committee meeting chaired by President on day before convention.
Enclosure: Sample Welcome Letter
Sample Welcome Letter
(May be adapted by writer)
Dear_______,
Welcome to The American Bell Association International, Inc. I have just learned that you have joined our organization. I am a member who enjoys the organization so much that several of us write to new members to welcome you and explain a little about ABA. Our organization is made up of people who enjoy bells, collect them, research them, display them proudly, welcome visitors to view them and are interested in preserving their heritage. The majority of members collect small bells of many mediums and there are some who do collect large church or school bells and even display them inside their homes as well as in their yards.
I caught "Bell Fever" after attending The Great Lakes Chapter meeting in Frankenmuth, Michigan, in October of 1987 and since that time have collected 150 bells of various sizes and shapes and in various mediums; my preference is bronze which makes up the majority of my collection. It is amazing where one can find bells - mine have been purchased new in gift shops or a department store, at flea markets and rummage sales and many are gifts from friends and relatives.
Our bi-monthly publication, The Bell Tower, is most informative and interesting. You will find many feature articles on bells and it is a great source of other information. If you have not already done so, do join a local chapter in your area. By attending chapter meetings you will meet friendly people and learn much about them through their bells. Chapters in your area are listed on the sheet enclosed from The Bell Tower. Also enclosed is a list of members in your area; you may already know some of them.
Our annual convention draws between 300 and 400 people and is moved around the country. The 1992 convention in Appleton, Wisconsin, was my first time to attend an annual convention and I found it most exciting. There are many research presentations on many different types of bells and hundred of bells for sale at tables by individuals from their collections, others from estates. A bell auction is also held which lasts at least one-half a day with hundreds of bells from members that have been sent to the convention site to be auctioned to the people attending. There are also regional meetings, but I have not attended one. The largest is the Illinois-Wisconsin meeting which draws over 100 members.
Again, welcome to The American Bell Association International, Inc. You'll find it both fun and a great source of knowledge for bells, in addition to meeting interesting, friendly people.
Bellfully Yours,