TIMES-REPUBLICAN

Special guests of Iowa ET, the National TTT Society, at its recent meeting were Asa and Ruth, the two 10-year-old girls who have been chosen as the chapter’s TTT campers this year.

Sue Cope and Bev Hatcher, camp co-chairs, introduced the girls, as well as the grandmother of one camper, and they asked members to help get the girls ready for camp, Aug. 7-13, at the Des Moines YMCA Camp, Boone. A sign-up sheet was sent around for volunteers.

Plans for the chapter’s next big event, its Guest Day Brunch, June 11, at the Village Co-op, were announced. The purpose of the brunch is to introduce TTT to friends and acquaintances who members feel might be interested in TTT membership.

“Our TTT sisters are friends who share our commitment to serve as adult role models to little girls, who get together to plan activities for the girls and prepare them for spending a week at TTT Camp, and who share in the fundraising activities that allow us to do these things,” said Deb Nuss, president. She said the brunch gives TTT members a chance to “show off” their pride in TTT and answer questions about the organization. Every member was encouraged to invite one or two women to the event.

In other business: Char Smothers, co-chair for TTT’s first-ever Golf Tournament, announced that it will be June 24, 2023. Maria Hazen and Lorraine Schultz volunteered to research community service projects that ET might adopt for TTT’s “National Service Weekend,” Oct. 1-2. A change in procedure for making and voting on chapter motions was adopted, per Robert’s Rules of Order (motions will be written and given to recording secretaries to facilitate ease in recording said motions).

Nuss reported on the State Convention, where she represented Iowa ET and also led two break-out sessions on membership activities. She noted that TTT has been self-funded for 111 years, but now one of the organization’s dire needs is membership growth. Nationwide membership is down 300 women in the past five years and currently 53% of members are 70+ years. Even camper numbers are down; this year there will be 240 TTT campers, and the goal is to expand to 400 campers for 2023. Nuss noted that the National TTT Convention will be Oct. 20-22 in Johnston, so it will be easy for the chapter to be well represented.

Prior to the campers’ departure, after they had been introduced and were able to tell a little about themselves, ice cream treats were served by Susan Hibbs and Meradean Gifford.