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Answers

What is this thing and how did it get started?

The Red Hat Society is often referred to fondly as a "disorganization," though we have been forced to impart a degree of order to our operations. It was inadvertantly begun by Sue Ellen Cooper of Fullerton, California when she and a few friends took inspiration from a popular poem entitled "Warning" by Jenny Joseph, which begins "When I am an old woman..." Since the poem mentions wearing a red hat and purple attire, she and her friends formed a group that met on a regular basis for tea in their red hats and purple dresses—in public, of course.

When Sue Ellen and her friends were featured in Romantic Homes magazine in July 2000, they began fielding inquiries from other women who wanted to start their own chapters. More information can be found of the origins of the Red Hat Society on their website. [top]


How do I join?

There are a couple of ways to become part of this vast women's movement, which is quickly taking over the world, as we are fond of saying. You may either join an existing chapter or start your own. Most of our existing chapters are currently within the U.S. and Canada, but we can't take over the world if we don't reach every corner of it first! [top]


Are there any rules?

There are no official rules, although we have some rather strong suggestions, the first of which is regarding red hat attire. Of course, to be a Red Hatter, one should wear a red hat and a clashing purple ensemble at all meetings to keep up the spirit and purpose of the (dis)organization. We also suggest rather strongly that women under 50 stick to the pink hat and lavender attire until THE BIRTHDAY. This adds an element of fun to aging, which we think is invaluable to women in our society who have learned to dread aging and avoid it at all costs. We believe that aging should be something anticipated with excitement, not something to dread. [top]


Are there any responsibilities?

The main responsibility is to have fun! We see this group as an opportunity for those who have shouldered various responsibilities at home and in the community their whole lives, to say goodbye to burdensome responsibilities. This is a place to have fun and enjoy ourselves. Of course, someone needs to plan the events or they would never happen, but oftentimes members take turns at these things so that they do not become "jobs" for anyone. [top]


Who is the Queen Mother?

Members of the Red Hat Society often give themselves titles. "Queen Mother" is the title Sue Ellen Cooper gave herself, tongue in cheek, when she and her friends started the first group. Other titles were: "Vice-Mother," the Queen Mother's right-hand woman and the mother of vices, so to speak; "Anti-parliamentarian" for the one who enforces the rule that there are no rules; "Barristress" for the lawyer in the group; "Mistress of Anxiety" who worries about other members' problems for them so they don't have to; and on it goes.

As the group began to grow, others called themselves Queen Mothers, or Queens, of their chapters. So Sue Ellen gave herself a promotion to "Exalted Queen Mother" (EQM). We whole-heartedly believe in self-promotion, so to speak, so titles may continue to get grander as time goes on. One woman elected herself president—of herself .

The sillier and grander the title, the better it is. [top]


Where can I find a red or pink hat or official Red Hat Society merchandise?

If you are interested in finding a hat, we have many to choose from, from simple to quite fancy, in the Imperium. "Imperium" is a silly mix of the words "Imperial" and "Emporium." Since we see our members as royalty, our members' shopping hub must also have a royal name.
In the Imperium, we also have a variety of other ornamentation for hats or clothing. You will find copies of the poem "Warning" on sale there as well—on T-shirts, bookmarks, magnets, greeting cards, etc. We also offer merchandise bearing our logo, including the ever-popular "Red Hat Society" cloisonné lapel pin. We are always adding new stuff, so check it out when you get a chance. [top]


What are chapter and Purple Perks membership fees used for?

The Red Hat Society continues to grow beyond anyone's expectations, and we are all thrilled! The dues which we collect are used to run our office "hub," or Hatquarters which is growing in advance of the membership, pay for:

	Rental of office space (steadily growing larger)
	Utilities
	Office furniture: filing cabinets, chairs, desks, shelving, fax, etc. (Whenever we add an employee, we add more of these)
	Office computers and printers (We are adding to their number all the time!)
	Computer programming—ongoing programming, weekly updates, and changes
	Web server colocation, server maintenance and web site hosting fees (monthly)
	Telephones—equipment, multiple lines (Currently adding more)
	Employees' salaries. Duties include: - Answering phones (hundreds of calls per day). Providing answers to questions, giving information and help. - Processing registrations (dozens per day). Fill out and mail charters, filing, packaging. - Answering e-mails (hundreds per day) - Convention & special event planning
	Outside Professional Services - Bookkeeping & Accounting - Legal Services - Creative Services
	Postage
	Worker's Compensation Insurance
	Taxes
	Liability Insurance

Some Red Hatters have suggested that we use volunteer help. We tried to do that initially, but this has grown far, far too labor-intensive and complicated for that to be possible. There are not many people who would volunteer full time for jobs this labor-intensive. At least, we haven't found any. [top]


What do the members "get" for their chapter dues?

The Red Hat Society provides the staff and necessary equipment to answer your e-mails and phone calls in a friendly and timely (most of the time) manner. It provide help to those having trouble finding or starting chapters or requiring other assistance, and to send out charters and cards, etc.

But there is much more to it than that...for complete details on these and many more questions, visit the Red Hat Society's website. [top]