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Regional FAQs
As a member of the SCBWI, you might wonder how the organization functions at the regional level. Read these SCBWI Region FAQs to find out:
What is a Region?
How is a Region funded?
Why do other Regions offer more than my Region?
Why doesn't my Region offer events in my area?
My Region offers a lot, but not what I want to do...
Pitching an event idea...
What is a Region?
An SCBWI region is nothing more or less than a geographic area such as the country of Mongolia or the U.S. state of New Mexico. Representing the SCBWI at this regional level is a Regional Advisor (RA), a volunteer who may also hold a job and be active within their family and community. Included in the RAs many duties are promoting and organizing at least one major annual event and keeping members informed via email, a newsletter or a website.
How is a Region funded?
The regions do not get a portion of their members annual dues but this does not mean that they get no financial support from the main office. New regions or others without treasuries receive start-up funds, seed-money, from the LA office. Regions with limited treasuries can also apply for annual grants to launch a new event.
Support for the region doesn't end there. Any RA can call or email the main office and receive mailing labels, SCBWI brochures, bookmarks, sample Bulletins, Award & Grant Programs brochures, and more. Advice and back up of all kinds, including financial help for an event in crisis, is available at any time. After all, operating an SCBWI region is a team effort.
Why do other Regions offer more than my Region?
Many regions have numerous activities -- hosting monthly meetings, retreats, workshops, websites, email lists, and even mentorship programs. This is possible because the RA is not working alone.
Regions with large populations may have co-RAs or an RA and one or more assistant RAs (ARAs) as well as Illustrator Coordinators (ICs). . Because this occurs in only the largest regions, in terms of population, the most active regions benefit from a host of dedicated volunteers working behind the scenes, editing and posting newsletters, greeting new members, and even organizing events. The more people who work for a region, the more work gets done.
Why doesn't my Region offer events in my area?
Even with numerous events within a single region, not every geographic area will host an event. Events may even concentrate within one area within the region. This may be because of a geographic concentration of members. When the majority of members live within one area, this may be where the larger events are held. Most events are also held where the volunteers are; no one is likely to volunteer to organize from scratch an event in an area with which they are unfamiliar. This means that some members may face a lengthy drive to attend their regions major events.
While large conferences and retreats get a lot of attention, SCBWI members also benefit from smaller events such as Schmoozes, weekly or monthly critique groups, and casual meetings with local speakers.
My Region offers a lot, but not what I want to do...
Despite many volunteer hours poured into SCBWI offerings, members sometimes perceive gaps in what they want from organizational events. They may not have events in their immediate area. Or if there are events, they may not be of the type (workshop vs. conference) or with the focus or speakers that some members would desire. There are several ways to change this:
- Make suggestions! After planning a number of events, an RA may feel that they are running low on ideas. Prime the pump! Suggest possible speakers or topics that have not recently been covered.
- When you make a suggestion, be specific! Don't simply state that there are not enough events for professional members, illustrators or authors of graphic novels. Tell them what topics you would like to see covered. Yours may be the idea that is used for the next workshop or conference session.
- Volunteer! This is especially important if the suggestion means adding a new event to the regional calendar. A new event means more work and demands people willing to do it. Perhaps most effective is when a member volunteers to plan and organize a new event. But volunteering to organize an event, be it a panel discussion or a conference, requires pitching an idea. Before volunteering make sure you have read and understand the Volunteer Guidelines.
Pitching an Event Idea
Offering to organize an event is a lot like pitching a book to a publisher. Your proposal will have a greater chance of being accepted if:
- You are known to your RA. Because the RA, as the SCBWI representative within that region, is responsible for all official SCBWI events, they are most comfortable turning an event, especially a major event like a conference, over to someone they know. Attend a public critique group with the RA, volunteer or simply just attend other events. This will make you a known factor and less of a risk.
- You give specific, detailed information. Again, this is important because the RA is ultimately responsible if this is an SCBWI event. Give as many specifics as possible. The RA will need to know what type of event it will be (workshop, critique group or conference), who the speakers might be, where it might be held, when it might be held, as well as what the upper limit on registration will be.
Your proposal may be rejected if:
- You fail to answer the RA's questions. To be an SCBWI event, all details for the event need to be approved by the RA even if someone else is doing the actual work. The RA must be assured that there will be adequate cooperation with the SCBWI, a well thought-out plan, and adequate attendance for a larger event because the RA will also be responsible for paying all bills through the regional treasury.
- It is too similar to something already on the regional calendar or that of a neighboring region. RAs have to plan with the big picture in mind. They don't want to compete directly for attendance with one of their own events or that of a nearby region. This is one reason an RA may suggest starting with a smaller event -- there is always a danger of reaching a saturation point with too many large events and not enough demand to fill them.
Operating 79 SCBWI regions is a complicated job that demands many volunteer hours, commitment and planning on the part of RAs and their many dedicated volunteers. In four years, SCBWI membership has grown from 13,000 to 20,000. We take this as a vote of confidence that we, the RAs and other volunteers that serve you, are doing something right. We hope you agree.
Thanks to Sue Bradford Edwards for compiling this helpful list of questions and answers. Sue is the former Regional Advisor for the Missouri Chapter of the SCBWI.
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