In
English that means: anyone / group that represents themselves as
part of Red Hat Society, but is not registered with RHS, could
be liable for legal action. That includes dressing as a
hatter, acting like a hatter, calling oneself / the group "red / pink
hatters, red / pink hat ladies, etc." If it looks like a red
hatter, acts like a red hatter, talks like a red hatter, all are perceived as
belonging to the same club - the Red Hat Society.
If
they want to continue to play as friends outside of red hatting, no problem.
Pick another color, don't wear the red/pink hats, do something else.
But don't claim to be RHS if you are not RHS. Dianne/LadyDi,
Communications Coordinator, RHS
Hatquarters
SUPPORTING
MEMBERSHIP DEADLINE EXTENDED
They say that the best things in life are free. I wish that were universally
true, but... if it is, why is the Red Hat Society budget so hard to balance? If
individual membership remains free (as it was for almost 11 years) the RHS will,
before too long, cease to exist. That's not a threat; it's just a fact.
The original deadline for sign-ups was June 1, 2009. Many are aware of this,
and the number of those who have already signed up is highly encouraging.
It is a wonderful sign that there are, indeed, a whole lot of women out there
who believe in the value of the RHS and want to see it survive and flourish for
many years to come!
But, judging from the number of recent phone calls and emails to Hatquarters,
it's clear that there are still large numbers of Hatters who either don't know
about the new membership model or don't thoroughly understand the reason it is
absolutely vital. To accommodate them we are extending
the sign-up period until December 31, 2009. This will allow
plenty of time for every Hatter to learn about the new membership model and
make her personal decision regarding her own Supporting Membership.
If you haven't heard about this, or if you still have questions you need
answered before you relay this to your chapterettes, there is a review at the
bottom of this section, as well as a link to a Q and A section. Click
here for FAQ.
Not surprisingly, there are those who are angry (even bitterly angry) about
the situation and they have been highly vocal in letting us and the
entire membership - know about it. Those of us in leadership at Hatquarters have
heard their complaints, loud and clear, and we freely admit that some of the
verbal attacks have succeeded in discouraging and disheartening us but only
temporarily. We must stay on the course we have chosen if the RHS is to go on,
and we shall remain positive in our outlook. Our carefully considered response
to these people follows:
- Dear unhappy Red Hatter,
Come on, ladies! How do you think we do all that we do here? Do you really
believe that this huge sisterhood can be supported and maintained without a
healthy cash flow? If you find nothing we have said up until now credible or
acceptable, it is doubtful that there is anything left to say that could win
you over. If you really believe that we have done a poor job, that there is
no real value to the RHS, that someone is getting rich (at your expense), or
any of the other criticisms that have reached our ears, there really is nothing
more to say.
We are determined to go forward with only the highest quality members
those who believe in what we're all building together and will grant us the
courtesy of believing in the integrity of our leadership and the sincerity
of our mission to the good-hearted, kind-spirited women of this world. We
want to play only with others who want to play NICE!
Sheer quantity is of no interest to us - if it means having to deal with
constant verbal attacks and ugliness of spirit - not if we must continually
try to placate those who refuse to be placated.
If you are unhappy, if you don't want to support the RHS, please find
something else to do. Please don't stay within our ranks with the
express purpose of causing dissension and chaos! (We Red Hatters love a good
Drama Queen, but not THAT kind of Drama Queen!)
How about starting something of your own? But, if you do, please have
the personal integrity to start something original; don't continue to
represent yourselves as "Red Hatters", and copycat everything we
have built. That would be dishonorable.
And, to those of you who have done none of the above, but plan to just
quietly discontinue your membership, we'd like to say this: We are sorry to
lose you. If you discover that you miss being part of the Red Hat Society,
you are always welcome to come back. We will be glad to have you and no
one will make a big deal about it. We promise!
Sincerely, Sue Ellen, Debra & all of us at Hatquarters
REVIEW
OF NEW MEMBERSHIP MODEL
The new membership model is simple, consistent, and best of all fair.
For her $39 USD yearly fee, each Queen may register her
chapter. (Editors Note - Not sure why we
now have to continue to pay "for the Chapter" when each individual
must purchase a membership but the RHS stated that the Queen must pay $39 for
the privilege to call herself the QUEEN) She will receive a
printed charter, a special monthly Queen to Queens broadcast, access to online
chapter management tools, and all other benefits included in her automatic
Supporting Membership as well.
For $20 USD per year, each Supporting Member
receives:
- One full year of membership in the Red Hat Society
- One personalized Supporting Membership card
- Regular digital or emailed communication from Hatquarters, including, but
not limited to:
- Weekly Friday broadcast
- Quarterly digital Red Hatter Matters newsletter
- 10% discount at redhatsocietystore.com
- All pertinent benefits and discounts available
- Full access to various website features, such as:
- Chapter Contact
- Online Event Calendar (receive event invitations, flag events, share
with a friend, or RSVP to invitations received)
- Queen Mother Board and QMBII
- All new special features, as they are added
- Royal invitations to all Red Hat Society sponsored events
- The right to use the Red Hat Society Chapter logo on member materials
(subject to guidelines in the Red Hat Society Logo Usage Policy)
- A year's worth of unlimited support, ideas, and connections with thousands
of like-minded women, worldwide, for fun and friendship.
The Red Hat Society is all about the four "Fs": Fun, Friendship,
Freedom, and Fulfillment. There is a fifth "F" that we haven't
discussed: fairness. The fun and friendship meant to be enjoyed by all comes at
a cost that should be willingly shared by all. The RHS cannot operate for free;
and it is not fair that a small number of Supporting Members should pay for the
fun (and public recognition) that all enjoy.
Questions? Please click
here for answers.
Let's just get on with all that we have come to love most about the RHS
the fun of playing with friends (old and new), the freedom to be yourself, and
the support and sisterhood of women who are determined to spread joy and
positive vibes wherever they go.
Your support is greatly appreciated. Remember: "Red Hatters
Matter!"
WHO
CAN CALL HERSELF A "MEMBER" OF THE RED HAT SOCIETY?
Anyone
who is part of a registered RHS chapter whose information (name, address and
email) has been submitted for inclusion in the Hatquarters database is a member
of the Red Hat Society in the eyes of Hatquarters. With this information we will
know who our members are.