News & Notes: January 16, 2020

Final MLK Day Project Check List

The Martin Luther King, Jr. (MLK) Day of Service is this Monday, and we can’t wait to receive a recap of your club’s project. Here’s a final check list on how to showcase your club’s success:

Let’s make an even bigger splash for the 2020 MLK Day of Service than last year. With your volunteer spirit, the 2019 total of 789 service projects can be surpassed! Visit the digital library (under “P”) exclusively available to GFWC members after logging into the Portal to download our press release template.

Cares & Concerns

It is with great sadness that GFWC announces the passing of Wisconsin Past State President Judy Harrison (1976–1978). From 1962–1964, Judy also served on the GFWC Board as Junior Chairman for the Council of International Clubs.For service details and condolences, view Judy’s obituary.

We also regret to inform you of the passing of Alaska Past State President Kathy Janssen’s, 1996–1998, husband George Janssen. Cards can be sent to Kathy Janssen at 4120 North Point Dr. Anchorage, AK 99502.

Include Dr. Seuss in Your New Year’s Resolution

Last year, clubwomen throughout the Federation participated in the Dr. Seuss Grand Initiative, resulting in 50,716 books being donated to children in need.

It’s now a new year! GFWC needs your help to ensure 4,200+ more books are donated by June to schools, Head Start programs, and other places that give children in need the opportunity to read. The goal of the 2018–2020 Administration is to donate a total of 55,000 Dr. Seuss books directly to clubs’ local communities.

June 30, 2020 is only a few months away, so start your New Year’s resolution now to get involved in the Dr. Seuss Grand Initiative! If your club has already participated, there are still thousands of books needed to reach this Administration’s goal.

Volunteers in Action

GFWC High Springs New Century Women’s Club (Florida), GFWC Service Guild of Covington (Georgia), and GFWC West Side Woman’s Club (Pennsylvania) are all featured on the GFWC Blog. Read and comment on their activities supporting a local domestic violence shelter, participating in their community Christmas parade, and helping paint windows at their local counseling building.

Have a success story to tell? Email pr@gfwc.org.

The Importance of GFWC Elections
by GFWC Elections Chairman Cynthia Kay Geis 

The GFWC Annual Convention in Atlanta, GA will be here before we know it! Mark your calendar that registration opens on March 1. On June 29, 2020, GFWC will elect the 2020–2022 officers and Director-elect of Junior Clubs to serve with Marian St.Clair and Kristina Higbee as GFWC International President and GFWC Director of Junior Clubs.

The procedures for electing GFWC officers are defined in our Bylaws (Articles VII and VIII) and Standing Rules (Sections 9 and 10). The Elections Committee, assisted by the Credentials Committee, is responsible for conducting the election and for coordinating the voting process.

All GFWC members are invited to attend the GFWC Annual Convention. However, not all attendees have voting privileges. When the Call to Convention is issued, please pay close attention to the qualifications for delegates. And, delegates must pay registration fees for the entire Convention to be entitled to vote.

The candidates for GFWC office and Director-elect of Junior Clubs were featured in the Winter 2020 GFWC Clubwoman Magazine. Convention delegates will also have an opportunity to learn more about these candidates and their plans regarding the future of our organization at a business session prior to the June 29 election. Each candidate will be introduced to the Convention body by her outgoing State President and State Director of Junior Clubs (if applicable), or by her designated State Federation representative. This introduction will provide biographical information concerning the candidate. Then, each candidate will have up to three minutes to share her vision for the future of GFWC.

As we have a contested position, there will be a question and answer session for these candidates prior to the speeches. Candidates endorsed for a contested position will respond to no fewer than two questions. These questions will be electronically solicited from clubwomen and then be vetted by the International President, Director of Junior Clubs, and the Elections Committee Chairman. Candidates will be given one minute to respond to each question in an order determined by lottery.

Election will be by plurality.

Due February 7: Success for Survivors Scholarship Application

There are only three weeks left to apply for the Success for Survivors Scholarship! Help give survivors of intimate partner violence the financial support needed to seek higher education. Spread the word and connect survivors who may be interested in this great opportunity. The application deadline is February 7.

GFWC Southeastern Region: Della Gowan, President

GFWC Southeastern Region (SER) proudly represents Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia. SER is the only region with a Director of Junior Clubs in each state. We are proud of our SER Members and their amazing accomplishments.

GFWC Southeastern Region President’s Special Project for 2018–2020 is Reaching Across the Region, with Linda Hershey and Dr. Rosemary Thomas serving as Co-Chairmen. The purpose of this project is to encourage SER clubwomen to reach out and help someone else. This is a simple challenge, but one that has tremendous impact and lasting effects. The symbol for this administration is a handprint with a heart in the palm. This helps demonstrate the power of reaching out and touching another person’s life. SER State Presidents were given a stuffed bear made with handprint fabric. States were challenged to take their bears to state, district, and/or club meetings and be photographed participating in projects helping another person.

GFWC Southeastern Region was extremely excited and honored to offer SER LEADS at each fall Conference. Chairman Jan Allen, Babs Condon, and Susette Redwine led participants in this three hour session followed by a Q&A session. SER LEADS participants were able to ask questions or share concerns with current GFWC Officers, past SER Officers, and current GFWC Board Members serving on the panel. SER is proud to have more than 50 graduates of this program.

GFWC Southeastern Region is a very proud member of the Million Dollar Club for the second year! What a legacy we can share!

Parliamentary Pointers
by GFWC Parliamentarian Deen J. Meloro

The Object Section of your bylaws, Article II, is more important than you might realize because it sets the boundaries within which business can be introduced.

If the club has been recognized under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or hopes to be in the future, the object listed here must be:

“Said corporation is organized exclusively for charitable, religious, educational, and/or scientific purposes, including, for such purposes, the making of distributions to organizations that qualify as exempt organizations under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provisions of any future United States Internal Revenue Law).” You only have to mention those things you do. “Religious” and/or “scientific” may be eliminated.

If the club is not recognized in this fashion, the object should be concisely expressed in a single sentence. Keep it general in nature and short.

If the club has been recognized by the IRS but wishes to have a less “business-like” object, use the above object as #1 and have a #2 for the other part of the object you want.

Club Anniversaries and Gold Pin Recipients 

Anniversaries

50th

GFWC Varina Woman’s Club (Virginia)

110th

Village Improvement Association of Rehoboth Beach, DE, Inc. (Delaware)

 

Gold Pin Recipients

Diana Degnan
Metuchen-Edison Woman’s Club (New Jersey)

Donna Dearden
GFWC Park City Athenaeum Club (Utah)

Marketplace: Notebook

Jot down your MLK and Dr. Seuss planning ideas in our unique spiral-bound notebook! It features a 1929 cover of General Federation News that has a beautiful illustration of GFWC Headquarters. Whether you’re planning future projects or writing down notes at meetings, this notebook is an excellent addition to any clubwoman’s toolkit. Get yours for $12 in the GFWC Marketplace.