Quota International — We Change Lives

2011-2012 International President Chris Tracey-Patte

February 2012

Dear Fellow Quotarians,

What a wonderful and productive board meeting we had the first weekend in February. Before I share with you the results of our work on the structure plan, I am pleased to announce that in spite of a three percent cost-of-living increase this past year, the board has decided not to increase member dues. So your dues for 2013 will remain at the current U.S.$76 per member level.

In addition, we are providing you with a way to actually reduce (or totally eliminate!) your personal Quota International dues collected for the 2013 year while helping your club and QI grow this year. HOW? Participate in our new Quota “Q-Pon” program, which rewards YOUR recruitment efforts. From March 1 through June 30, 2012, Quotarians who sponsor a new or reinstated member will receive U.S.$25 off next year’s international dues! Recruit TWO new members and get U.S.$50 off! Recruit THREE new members and get your entire 2013 U.S.$76 international dues free… a full year without paying any Quota INTERNATIONAL dues at all! Learn more, print a Quota Q-pon, and get started!

Of course, the review of the board’s proposal to revise the structure and governance of Quota International, Step 7 of our Creating the Quota of Tomorrow plan, was the leading topic of discussion at our February meeting. The run up to the meeting saw your board members reviewing all of our normal paperwork plus the feedback notes from area meetings and all correspondence about the proposed changes received from individual members, clubs, and leaders.

We have listened and learned from you: what you like about the proposal and your concerns. Overall, the response to the proposal was positive and the majority of members and clubs agreed that change is needed if we are to continue to be a force into the future. We also heard some concerns that we responded to through changes in the structure and governance system we originally proposed to you at 2011 area meetings. Here now is an overview of the board’s latest proposal that will be discussed at 2012 district conferences.

Proposal Part I: Create Regions, Eliminate Districts and Areas

A great deal of time was spent at the board meeting ensuring that the change from districts and areas to regions was as positive a process as possible for members. The board has proposed keeping all districts intact (except for District 41, which, because of its size will be divided into two regions). We then combined districts into regions, where necessary, bearing in mind geographical and cultural commonalities and transport costs as opposed to trying to make each a similar size. We are an international organization and several regions involve multinational membership. View the list of proposed regions.

The board also revisited the costs involved for the regional director to enable her or him to carry out the required duties. As a result, we have made an adjustment, changing annual regional dues from the original proposed amount of U.S.$10 per member per year to $15 per person in the currency of country in which the region is located. (Countries that do not have dollars will charge each member the U.S.$15 equivalent.) Remember, these regional dues will replace all existing district and area dues and assessments beginning in 2014.

Another change the board made with regard to the transition from districts to regions is that the first regional meeting will be delayed one additional year, until 2015, and districts will hold their final district conference in April, May, or June of 2014 instead of 2013. This will permit every district the time for proper closure and transition.

The Quota International office will conduct the first (and only) mail ballot for regional directors in late 2013 with winners announced in January 2014, after which each winning regional director will begin the process of collecting dues and organizing her or his team. The comprehensive regional director training will take place at the International Convention in Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.A., in 2014. The first regional meeting will then be held in March, April, or May of 2015.

Proposal Part II: Create Circles

An area of concern expressed by some members, clubs, and leaders, and addressed at the board meeting was the term “circle” to define the new entity to replace clubs. It seemed that the name was the issue rather than the concept of a simpler structure for clubs. Your board has heard you and we will not be introducing “circle” to replace our club entity. All new clubs and all existing clubs will continue to go by the name of “Quota International of …………” The simpler rules for chartering new clubs will go ahead and this allows the choice for existing clubs to retain their traditions or be open to new ways of doing business.

Proposal Part III: Restructure the Board of Directors

As originally proposed, the two-year terms for the president and president-elect will commence at the end of the 2012 international convention in Hawaii; the 2012-2013 treasurer installed at Convention 2012 will serve a one-year term; and the reduced-sized board of five board members will commence in 2014. The board will operate as an executive board and in keeping with this philosophy, the three “at-large” board members, to  be known as “vice-presidents,” will be elected from the voting membership at large. There will be no limit on the number of nominations from each region—we want members to have the choice from among the best leaders available.

This is a brief overview of the changes to the proposal by your board. I would like to thank you for your feedback and input; it has been very important to us in our revision. I feel sure that you agree that we have listened to your concerns.

The latest proposal, now available online, contains details comparing Quota International’s current structure; the first proposal unveiled at 2011 area meetings; and the latest version of the proposal that will be discussed at 2012 district conferences. Please take the time to read it thoroughly and discuss it at a club meeting. The bylaw changes necessary to enact the proposal will be sent out prior to district conferences, on or before the bylaw-governed deadline of April 1.

I am very proud to lead such a hardworking, dedicated, and forward-thinking team of board members and staff at this very exciting time in Quota’s history, and I know that “Through Quota, We Can” make the changes needed and continue to impact our communities and our world with our own special brand of Quota caring.

Yours in Quota Friendship and Service,

Chris Tracey-Patte
2011-2012 International President

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