Hey PR Man, what do you see when you walk in the door?

In my business travels, I'm fortunate to visit many chapters across the nation. I enjoy every evening, but to my surprise the chapters are unprepared for a visitor.

It's shocking to me because I've always believed "every meeting is a guest night." You never know when an interested newspaper reporter (since he/she receives your constant news releases) is going to show up.

It's also shocking because of the adage "treat your family as guests, and your guests as family." And isn't your chapter a family?

So, I pose to each chapter PR man - take a moment to stand in the doorway of your next chapter meeting and take a good look around. And I mean a GOOD, HARD look. Then, follow this checklist:

• Were you greeted at the door?
• Was the man after you greeted? How about those handshakes?
• Is there a sign outside stating, "there's a meeting here tonight?"
• Did you receive a name badge?
• Was there a display table of chapter bulletins?
• Did this table also have Harmonizers, and Harmony Marketplace catalogs?
• Does this table have recent district bulletins?
• And the chapter fact sheet, is it displayed?
• Are the competition pictures well mounted and framed?
• Is the guest sign-in book handy, with pens and nametag?
• Is the new face connected with a buddy in the singing section?
• Did every person greet the new face?
• The music book handed to him, is it current?
• Did every member greet all the others in the room?
• Did the music director make a special effort to greet you?
• Does the bulletin board on the wall display fun, family activities?
• Is there Society membership information readily available?
• And what about the "You've sung with the _______ chapter tonight" cards?

If this listing isn't full of "yes" responses - you have your job cut out for you! And you have a Membership VP, Chapter Music Team, Bulletin Editor, and Chapter Historian to help. You may be surprised at YOUR chapter's preparations for guests.

Your job is not only publicizing chapter activities, but also being the head cheerleader within the chapter. Making every family member feel like a guest.

Hey, let's B#. And remember, you never know when I'll show up!