Why You Should Volunteer (from September 2004 Newsletter)

By Diane Graese, former Director BetterInvesting Computer Group Advisory Board and former Director, Las Vegas Chapter of BetterInvesting.

The Las Vegas Chapter of BetterInvesting is run completely by volunteers. We have some administrative responsibilities but most of our efforts are dedicated to doing activities as a result of our association with the Chapter. Why is that?

By attending monthly Chapter meetings, we socialize with fellow investors. What better way to get a question answered than by asking a fellow investor? As directors each year we determine what kinds of mini-classes we want after each Chapter meeting. Last year we decided to explore the parts of the SSG and asked the monthly leader to bring a completed SSG. This next year, we have decided to study industries and asked each leader to bring in several SSGs of companies in the same industry so we can compare and contrast.

Our more experienced investors serve as instructors for classes. Assistant directors help instructors with administrative tasks like registration and handouts. They get to attend classes for free and soon become leaders of Chapter discussion sections. What better way to improve your presentation skills.

Full Directors receive additional benefits based on opportunities from BetterInvesting National and available Chapter funds. Full Directors have been subsidized to attend National events like the BetterInvesting National Convention and CompuFest. There have also been
"Train the Trainer" (TTT) programs offered by BetterInvesting. Full Directors also receive a free subscription to S&P Stock Data Service (formerly Online Premium Service - OPS) and from time to time they receive educational material from BetterInvesting.

Free materials from BetterInvesting . . . are you starting to get interested now? Think of the benefits if you are an individual investor. You now have a support group. And if you are a club member, think of all the benefits you can bring to your club.

If you are a dedicated investor, you should consider spending a few of your monthly education hours participating with our Chapter. All you need is active interest. We will help you find a way to participate. (For further information, contact our current President, Jennifer Sheldahl at 293-1551 or e-mail her at jennhaag44@cox.net.) We would love to have you become one of us.