External Area Information

The United States Women of Today creed states we are "dedicated to serving our community and nation." Along with encouraging our local chapters to support their own communities through various projects/activities, the USWT promote an EXTERNAL AREA in which members may become more closely involved with a given foundation. Every three years the USWT select a new foundation to work with - in the hopes that our members will increase their knowledge of a new foundation/disease - and that our organization can promote not only their name but also the given foundation. In the past, USWT has worked with March of Dimes, Leukemia Foundation, RESOLVE, Multiple Sclerosis, Parents of Autistic Children(POAC)and Breast Cancer Awareness.

Effective June 2008 the selected foundation is the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV)/Domestic Violence Awareness.  Educating members on Domestic Violence and how it affects the lives of women, children and men in our country is the focus of the United States Women of Today for 2008-2011.  The National Program manager works with NCADV as well as the State Contacts to promote educational and fundraising materials to the United States Women of Today Chapters and States.Through the efforts of our members we have not only educated others and ourselves about these diseases, but have raised over a million dollars for these foundations.

The United States External Area Program Manager is responsible for promoting the given foundation to Women of Today members in all chapter states. Working with contacts at both the national and state offices of the foundation, she distributes information to members through her state contacts. A quarterly newsletter, sent to state contacts, includes educational materials as well as ideas for fund-raisers - to be passed along to members within each state.

The External Area is one of four programming areas promoted through the USWT. The other Internal Areas are Focus on Women/Chaplain, Personal Enrichment, and S.T.E.P. (Success Through Enthusiastic Participation). All four of these areas fall under the supervision of the USWT Programming Vice President.

Each External Area Program manager is encouraged to promote the area in a way she finds most beneficial and fun. Having a fun theme/logo often makes the promotion of this area easier and more effective. She may also offer any kind of incentives she believes will encourage members' participation.