Monthly messages from your Big Sir & Little Sir

Big Sir Sez,

September 2024

Along with Halloween, we have our outstanding Octoberfest on Thursday, October 17,2024.  Be sure and sign up and attend if you can.

At our September Luncheon, we discussed the results of our recent survey.  42% of our members participated in the survey.  Preliminarily, the following chart confirms that the overwhelming majority of those responding responded favorably.

90% plus stated that:

  • SIR provides value in their lives
  • They are satisfied/neutral with the branch overall
  • They are satisfied/neutral with the lunch meeting
  • They are satisfied/neutral with the branch communication
  • They are satisfied/neutral with the branch activities
  • They are satisfied/neutral with their activities.

We were also pleased to learn that many of our members would like to participate as branch leaders.  We are so appreciative of the foregoing support.

As part of the survey we asked for suggestions for improvement and criticisms.  We very much appreciate those of you who took the time to comment.  Your comments have been and will continue to be discussed by the BEC.  We will continue to review your comments closely as we work to improve our branch.  For your part, as we roll out improvements, let us know how you like them.

Following for your review is a link to the Survey PDF file:

https://www.sirbr8.com/wp-content/uploads/activities/Sir-Br8-Survey-Results.pdf

Finally, SIR, Inc. put on a Zoom program in September addressing scams and how to handle them.  The program was recorded and is available to review.  The shorter version is at https://youtu.be/YyksdG0AblQ.  The longer version is at https://youtu.be/DwdZqlCtWrY.   

 
May 2024
 
The eclipse has come and gone as well as most of the rains and cold of the winter. It was fun at our April luncheon to view the eclipse safely. It was also fun to invite the service staff out at Boundary Oak to let them know how much our branch appreciates their efforts. I know they go above and beyond to make our members happy and take care of our
requests.  I want to express my appreciation for all the many members that assist in running our branch. Tom and I attended a Leadership Summit in March where leaders representing approximately 60% of all SIR members were in attendance. It was gratifying to hear suggestions from the various branches on how to improve a branch and recognize we are already doing them. While we can always improve, it underscored to me just how lucky we are to have so many dedicated members providing such excellent service. This month it will be my pleasure to present Doing My Part Awards to many of those members.
Hopefully this month we will have some more audio improvements. The BEC approved funds for us to purchase new microphones and a speaker for the back of the room. We
hope these will solve the sound problems.  Finally, Larry Yarberry needs someone to assist him with managing Traveling SIRs for the next several months as he focuses his time on family matters. Please let Larry or me know at your earliest convenience if you can step up and provide this assistance.

updated on 09/26/2024 by MLF.

 

Little Sir Sez,

September 2024

Communication & Information!

In the last few months, we have distributed a large quantity of information pertaining to the “State of the SIR Organization” and upcoming changes within our branch.

We have asked for your thoughts, ideas, suggestions and views, in a survey. You have the results from that survey, keeping in mind that only 42% responded.

Some changes or adjustments have already happened or are “in the works”. The BEC is dedicated to sharing any and all this information (transparency) with our members thru various types of communication.

The SIR Website, Newsletter (Hotline)and E mails are the biggest source of communication for the branch. Luncheons only get the message out to about 1/2 of our membership.

So, here is the issue –

Why do we still have some of the membership saying that they don’t see any of these suggestions and views being addressed or changes being made?

Are you going to the Website?

Are you “opening “ and “reading” the Hotline when it comes out (monthly)?

Do you “open” and “read” the E mails from our branch leadership & activity chairs?

Please take the time to do so!

The SIR State Board and Directors, along with ALL the local branch Big and Little SIR’s, hear what their members are saying. The “Communication “ lines are open.

Be Patient!😵‍💫

Attend a BEC meeting.👍

Volunteer to take a Leadership role in our branch.😉

Join an activity.😃

Thanks for your support, Tom

June 2024
 
Since becoming Little SIR of Branch 8, I have had numerous opportunities to talk to other SIR Branches Big  and Little SIR’s. 
Starting with the SIR Summit held a few months ago, it became obvious that Branch 8 “does it right”! From the Administrative & BEC committee’s, to the Activity Chairmen & Co-Chairmen, we have it covered. It is apparent to me and others in SIR, our structure and participation leads the way.
Our Treasure’s, Dan & Paul are “on it”!
Secretaries, Carl & Hugh “catch it all”!
Attendance & Membership Manuel, Dan, Rich & Rick always “updating the count”!
Mike, Chick & Martin “keeping us on the straight & narrow “!
And of coarse, Rich Carlston leads us all, with outstanding leadership and communication!
 
Branch 8 could not support the quantity of activities, without the leadership of our Chairmen & Co- Chairmen. Other Branches are amazed of how many activities we support and are asking for help and information in setting them up. 
Along with the curiosity of activities, they have inquired  of the amount of prospective speakers we have for luncheons and want the list of past candidates and individuals that have presented a program recently.
In fact, in the near future, we will have an upcoming Little SIR from another branch, attending our luncheon to “see how it is done”.
 
Bottom Line – We Have a Great Group of Guts!👍
Keep those “comment cards” coming at the luncheons.
What was your opinion on the AI – Fake News presentation?
Enjoy the weather, join an activity!
 
Thx for your support,
Tom
Little SIR Branch 8
 

last updated 09/26/2024 by MLF.