As Bodacious Butterflies, we all gather to have FUN, enjoy each other’s company while making new friends, and celebrate this stage of our lives. It is with these ideas in mind that the following Guidelines have been established for our Chapter.

 

For all of our Chapter Outings we wear the official Red Hat Society colors of purple clothing and a red hat. It’s the spirit of the outfit that’s important – not the specific shade of purple or the specific type of headgear. One doesn’t have to wear solid purple or any particular shade of purple.  Wearing purple tops with pants or skirts of another color allows us to show off our individuality. As does our choice of what to wear on our head. The main thing is something red on the head! Hats are the preferred choice. However, we find all kinds of other FUN ideas: large red flowers, fascinators, “poufs”, or scarves. For birthday months, we choose to reverse these colors and wear a purple hat and red clothing. For those that are under 50 a Pink Hat and lavender clothing is worn. In order to keep members that have similar interests, we will keep future Pink Hatter’s at the age of 45 and above.

 

Ladies are asked to help with the planning of our Outings. Being a hostess includes planning an Outing, notifying the other members, distributing driving directions with possible parking concerns, costs and taking care of whatever fun things that are planned. RSVP’s for these Outings are very important. Our hostesses often plan things which require knowing the exact number of ladies that will be attending. If your RSVP is not received by the cut-off date given, you may not be able to attend the Outing. Please do not RSVP that you will be attending and then not show up without notifying the hostess or the Queen.

 

Regular attendance is expected at our monthly Outings. However, life does have a habit of getting in the way of our FUN from time to time. If this should happen, just let me know that you have extenuating circumstances, but are still interested in being a member. Failure to attend any of our Outings for a period of one year will result in your being automatically removed from our membership. We really want members that are interested in participating in the FUN with our Chapter!

 

Membership is by invitation only from the Queen. An “Interested Lady” can come, as a visitor, to one or two of our Outings and check us out. Then, if she is interested in joining our Chapter, she and I will review these Guidelines and determine whether or not she and the Bodacious Butterflies are a good match. The aim is to find new members that will be a good fit with our group and add to all of our fun!

 

Normally we only accept ladies that have e-mail and internet access. All of our Chapter communication is done through e-mails and our Chapter website which contains the Monthly News, along with our pictures. However, on occasion, we will accept someone that doesn’t have this access to be a member if an existing member is willing to be their Sponsor. It will be up to the Sponsor to communicate information to the lady that doesn’t have access.

 

We have an annual membership/expense fee which is collected in January. This is to help defray costs, such as the Chapter Website, name tags, pictures, printing expenses, a few of the goodies, etc. Only those that pay the Chapter fee and the RHS Supporting Membership fee timely will remain members in the Chapter. As an Official Red Hat Society Chapter, all of our members will be RHS Supporting Members.

 

Our chapter is strictly a women’s social group. We do not get involved in charity events. All of our members have their own opportunity to participate in the charities of their own choice. Also, we do not invite men or children to our Outings. Occasionally, men and children are invited to some of the multi-chapter events that we participate in.

 

Exceptions to the Guidelines will happen, as does life. If you have an issue, contact me and we will see if the situation can be handled. The hope is that these Guidelines will explain the way that we function to new members, ensure fairness, and help us with our goals of making new friends and enjoying each other as we all have FUN!! Let’s do it!!

 

Hugs…..Dana