Q.        Is this a “competition” between Chapters?      

A.        No!  The GWTA Chapter Olympics is an intra-Chapter (internal with the Chapter) program.  We want to celebrate fun, successful Chapters, and provide tools and ideas so that all Chapters can improve programs to better serve their members. 

Q.        This sounds interesting!  How do we get involved?

 A.       That’s the beauty of this program.  Just go about your business being a fun, successful Chapter, and you’ll automatically earn credits.  The Chapter Olympics web site, www.gwta.org/olympics provides ideas and tools you can review and decide if they work for you and your Chapter.   

Q.        What's new in the 2005-06 Chapter Olympics Program?

A.        There are several significant changes in the 2005-06 Chapter Olympics Program.  Perhaps the biggest change is that you no longer have to have net positive growth in your Chapter to be recognized for any level of recognition.  (You would need it to get all the credits for "Gold" recognition, however.)  We have also simplified the overall program by reducing the number of total areas to just 16, with corresponding changes in the requirements for recognition.  Another major change is that we have extended your opportunities for credits until May 31, 2006, a whole another month, to help more Chapters get recognition. 

Q.        How does a Chapter decide to participate? 

A.        All GWTA chapters are automatically entered into the Chapter Olympics.  About half of the measurement parameters (membership growth, on-time chapter registration fee submission, members reaching levels in the Rider Ed Program, Helping Hands donations, publishing a Chapter Newsletter, etc.) will be accomplished by the National office and staff, while the other half will be done by State and Provincial Directors, and submitted on a chapters behalf.  Basically, chapters do not have to submit reports for the Chapter Olympics program or make overt efforts to participate.  If you have a chapter, you are in. 

Q.        We saw the ideas and tools on the Chapter Olympics.  We have some tools we like.  How can we share them with other Chapters?   

A.        Great!  New ideas are welcome.  There is a page on the Chapter Olympics web site to submit your ideas, or you can send them directly to Mike & Carol Brush, brush123@cox.net. 

Q.        Our CD doesn’t have email or web access.  What about us? 

A.        The Chapter Olympics web site (www.gwta.org/olympics) provides a large array of ideas and tools.  If a Chapter Director without web access wishes to check their status in the program or down load either the tools or ideas, they can also visit a public library and use the computers there.  Fortunately, we expect that this will not be a problem for very many Chapters.  Most CD’s today either have email or have a member within their chapter who has email and is willing to relay information to them.