New England-Area FOOLS Hold First Combined Chapter Summit

Four of five New England-area Fraternal Order of Leatherheads Society chapters recently held their first joint meeting Tuesday, December 1, 2009.

The meeting was attended by the New England, Central Mass, Southern New England and Charter Oaks FOOLS chapters. The fifth area chapter, Greater Boston, was not able to attend.

Attendees discussed a number of issues including recruitment of new members, sponsorship to attract the right caliber of members, active E-boards, quality vs. rapid chapter growth, frequency and location of meetings, training, insurance, public image and social events.

During the combined meeting, representatives stressed the importance of shared training presentations/drills, including a recommendation for a FOOLS chapter training “Prop Day,” and taking advantage of combined chapter expertise for an instructor pool.

In an effort to increase brotherhood, the group recommended that family social events be held by regional chapters on a fairly regular basis. Suggestions included college football games and tailgating, or other local “farm” team sporting events to ensure affordability, and other activities, with locations rotated with the chapters.

Part of the discussion related to the public perception of the FOOLS organization, and its being still largely unknown within the fire service or by the public at-large. Recommendations were made to include local media when hosting events; increased visibility might help with notoriety, and also lead to possible chapter sponsors and donors. FOOLS Public Information Officer Sharon Willis, whose background is in media affairs/public relations and events planning, was suggested as a great resource for ideas, contacts, what to say to the media to get the FOOLS message across, etc. Department and local police PIOs were also suggested as good sources of media lists.