Here are some of the conclusions that I have come up with – I have spent a lot of time thinking about all of the problems that I encounter as FQM:

One thing that I have noticed is that the FQM is all excited about her involvement in the RHS and has great plans and hope for her chapter – and it is her chapter for we all tend to think of chapter members as our ladies. We are lucky if we have one other lady that is on the same wave length that we are – if we have two or more we are truly blessed.

But the truth is that more likely then not there is no other lady that is as excited about the society as we are. They want to join in on the fun but not on the same level that most of us do. That is one reason that we Queens enjoy meeting other Queens – we are all highly involved in our society and like being with other ladies that share the fun and silliness with us.

Within a chapter there seems to be 4 Levels of involvement:

Level 1 “Highly involved” as with Queens and a few members – not only do they wear colors but enjoy gaudying and glitzing up- read & post on QMB – attend area & national conventions – corresponds with other ladies in other chapters – collect anything red & purple – have little purple friends – and enjoys talking about the RHS

Level 2 “Normally involved” – wears colors – has fun – RSVP on time - but doesn’t read or post QMB – in between gatherings may or may not enjoy talking about RHS –

Level 3 “Barely involved” – wears colors but doesn’t really like to (wears them only because they have to) – there are times they do not wear hats or purple - waits to last minute to RSVP – tends to sit and talk with the same ladies

– Level 4 “Don’t know why they even bother”: won’t wear a hat - thinks a speck of purple is purpling up – won’t RSVP – has to be called & reminded – sits only with certain ladies and this list goes on and on.

I have observed over the past year that the following can happen:

Some of “Level 2” ladies after a few gatherings get all excited and really blossom into glorious red hatters – it just takes them a little time to gaudy up.

With “Level 3” a few may blossom but more than likely the most we can expect from them is to grow into being “Level 2”. Talking with these ladies about RSVP on time may or may not work

That leaves “Level 4”– I really think these ladies either aren’t ready for the RHS, going through something at this time – or they are just the sort of woman that is not happy and will never be happy no matter what they do.

There may be hope for “Level 3” but personally I see no hope for “Level 4” – the “Level 4s” seem to drop out after awhile.