This month we are featuring Marilyn Murphy, chapter leader of the CA, Thousands Oaks – 1 chapter. Marilyn has spent her adult life traveling the world, leading a small travel company and founding the WOW Travel Club in 2006. She had an instant interest in starting a Together Women Rise chapter when she heard about the organization and our mission. Now retired, Marilyn is focused on promoting her new book (a memoir about her travels as a 24-year-old) and managing her 15-year chapter.

Kia: Tell us a little bit about the origins of your chapter in California and why you have stayed with Together Women Rise for so long. 

Marilyn: I started the chapter all by myself. I live in a lovely home and I love to entertain. I also have a great group of friends, so it was easy to get started. I floated this idea to my network and got some good responses. Initially, I thought we would rotate chapter meetings to different members’ houses, but people loved coming to my house and I love to host, so it just stayed that way. For the first few years we had potluck dinners, but for the last few years we have had brunch on the first Saturday of the month.

I have a group of regulars, but I probably send out my invitations using E-vite to about 150 people. Most of whom I don’t hear from, but I still include them. The core group is about 20, but we get about 8-12 people on average at each meeting. People still contribute even if they don’t come. I also invite enlightened men to come, sometimes we get them to participate. Even one of my former members started her own chapter when she moved out of the area. I love how it has grown naturally over the years.

I always say it’s the best thing I do every month. I think it is an easy way to make a significant difference in the world. I also love to travel, so I’ve visited many of our grantees over the years.

Kia: That’s great! Where have you been?  

Marilyn: I had a travel business for many years, and I would always want to visit places that were less well known. In 2013 and 2014, I organized and led two Rise trips to Vietnam and Cambodia. One of those travelers later served as Board Chair for Children of Vietnam – one of the grantees we visited. One of my favorite places to visit is India. I have been there several times and included a visit our former grantee ANCHAL. I think there is such power in getting out of one’s comfort zone and experiencing other cultures. Being able to travel is one of the keys to our survival, our understanding of one another as people. 

Marilyn Murphy in Cambodia in 2014

Kia: We totally agree that continued education is vitally important. With that in mind, how do you handle the education aspect of your chapter meetings?  

Marilyn: Typically, after we’ve eaten and had a glass of whatever libation we choose, I’ll call everyone back inside. (Being in southern California, it’s usually pretty delightful outside, so that is where we have our meals.) We then watch the grantee video, and I always review the grantee fact sheet ahead of time. It is nothing fancy, but the members always love to learn about the grantees.

Kia: Can you tell us about how you talk about giving at your meetings? Your chapter recently surpassed $75,000 in total donations. That is a high achievement.  

Marilyn:

Everyone’s situation is different. Some people give $10 a month, others $100. I encourage people to sign up for regular giving, so even if they can’t come to a meeting, they are still contributing something. Most people are giving online these days. It was easy to get people to transition to automatic giving or scanning a QR code.

I am planning to encourage regular online donations from everyone on my email list, not just the members who are attending meetings every month. Even a small donation can make a big difference. They’ll never miss a small donation, the cost of a cup of coffee every month, but $120 a year that they may give to Together Women Rise makes a significant difference to women around the world.

Kia: You have been hosting meetings for over a decade. What are some takeaways from the grantees?

Marilyn: New grantees are always surprising me. This month I had my meeting on the first of August, and it was fascinating to hear from the grantee in Afghanistan. It was devastating to learn that male doctors can’t help pregnant women…and most women cannot receive an education, so there are few women doctors. The doula role is so important and unique. So even after all these years we are learning new things and about complex issues that women are facing. All of these grantees are so worthy, and I truly appreciate how well vetted our grantees are and the work that goes into choosing them.

Kia: Do you have any advice to other chapters? 

Marilyn: I would have to say, think outside the box. Be creative. It’s important to do what works best for your members. For example, if my chapter relied on rotating hosts, we might struggle a bit in getting volunteers to host. But if you have members who like to entertain, use them! A regular routine or consistent rotation can be really helpful in your long-term sustainability.