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January 21, 2021
View our Important Dates page for upcoming events and milestones.
February 5: Success for Survivors Scholarship Application Deadline
Have you shared the 2021 Success for Survivors Scholarship information with your family, friends, local agencies, and on social media? The scholarship provides survivors of intimate partner violence with financial support as they seek higher education, made possible through generous donations from clubwomen, clubs, State Federations, and other groups. The application deadline is Friday, February 5, so time is running out to spread the word!
Already shared the application form with everyone? Consider dedicating your next club fundraiser to the annual GFWC Signature Program Fund! All funds donated go directly to the GFWC Success for Survivors Scholarship. It is through your support that GFWC can make the recipients’ dreams a reality. As Cindy W., a scholarship awardee and recent college graduate said: “I am thrilled to have this opportunity to better myself and become self-sufficient with a new career. This is not just for me, but for all who I come in contact with as a nurse.”
Help give survivors like Cindy a better tomorrow by donating to the Fund through the Member Portal.
Identify Your Club’s Community Impact Action Plan
By Sharon Oliphant, GFWC Community Impact Program Award Chairman
Wow! Have we brought the Community Impact Program (CIP) to the forefront or what? We have certainly heard the call for our action plans. Our neighborhoods have relied on programs, projects, fundraising, and volunteerism for many years, but 2020 has been one of exceptional creativity for our GFWC membership.
The CIP Award was changed for the 2020-2022 Administration to help all of us work on more than one project. We are able to accommodate the flexibility of a club—large or small—with a one-day, monthly, or yearly project. Ideas could include feeding the neighborhood through food giveaways or having remote Bingo or Bunko games and auctions. Adopting a nursing home facility and sending residents birthday boxes and cards every month would be another rewarding project. For some face-to-face motivation, hold a remote planning meeting with club members on a platform like Zoom or BigMarker!
Did you sharpen the focus of your club and members based on the needs of your community? How did you discover and consider the community’s needs and then select an action plan? Your planning strategies, actions, engagement, and measurable impacts need to be part of this plan. The deadline for the 2020-2022 CIP is March 1, 2022. The application has been simplified and the awards opportunities have increased.
The impact is long-term! Download the Community Impact Program Award section of the Club Manual now to start planning, available within the “Awards” sub-folder of the “Club Manual” located in the Member Portal’s Digital Library.
Volunteers in Action
From providing children with gifts for Christmas to making a map of local Free Little Library boxes, clubs have been busy in their efforts to make a positive impact in their communities. This week, the GFWC Blog features a sampling of inspiring stories from the GFWC Woman’s Citizenship Club in Alamosa (Colorado), GFWC Santa Rosa Woman’s Club (Florida), GFWC Helena Woman’s Club (Montana), and GFWC Shorewood Woman’s Club (Wisconsin).
Have a success story to tell? Email PR@GFWC.org to be considered for GFWC’s Blog.
GFWC New Hires
GFWC is pleased to introduce two new staff members at Headquarters:
Nishu Raina Kaul, GFWC’s new Events Manager. Nishu has hit the ground running with planning for the March Women’s History Month Event and is beginning work with President St.Clair for the 2021 GFWC Annual Convention. Nishu’s email is NRainaKaul@GFWC.org.
Taylor Fussman, GFWC’s new Publications & Project Manager. Taylor will continue to grow the very successful GFWC Blog and offer more specialized service to the Member Portal’s Digital Library and news from clubs, State Federations, and Regions. Taylor’s email is TFussman@GFWC.org.
Please join us in welcoming them!
Don’t Miss the Upcoming GFWC Affiliate Organization Live Webinars
GFWC is proud to work with nine Affiliate Organizations (AOs). GFWC clubs have engaged throughout the years in a diverse range of projects with AOs, including organized walks, sewing hospital gowns, making blankets and hats, raising funds, and many, many more projects. Club members communicate regularly with AOs during the year but many look forward to connecting in-person during the GFWC Annual Convention at their booths and in their workshops.
COVID-19 changed GFWC’s 2020 Annual Convention plans and members missed their opportunity to meet AO representatives and attend their workshops. But now the time to connect with GFWC’s AOs is coming. AOs will present live webinars in February and March.
The first live webinar will be presented by long-time GFWC Affiliate Organization and Convention Sponsor, Shot@Life on Wednesday, February 3, 2021, at 4:00 p.m. EST. Mark your calendar and look for the link to register in next week’s News & Notes along with the schedule for the other AO live webinars. Interested GFWC members are encouraged to register for the live event even if the scheduled live webinar does not work for your schedule. GFWC will offer a recording of the webinar only to those who register in advance.
Participate in the Junior Board Valentine’s Day Contest
How do we love GFWC? Let GFWC Juniors count the ways …
Who
Big/Lil teams and the Junior Executive Committee.
What
Create a valentine for GFWC. Get creative with video, audio, and graphics!
When
Due February 7, to Katie Moydell.
Why
To show the world why we love being a GFWC member!
Stick your neck out and spread the word. Look out for our upcoming posts on social media, but don’t stop there! So many outside of our Federation community need some extra love while they are separated from family and friends during the pandemic. Submit success stories to be considered for GFWC’s Blog about how your club is cheering up members of your community in need this Valentine’s Day.
UNICEF Human Trafficking Awareness Month
Looking for more tools to raise awareness about Human Trafficking Awareness Month? Here are two must-read articles from UNICEF before January ends:
These resources include information about how to protect women and children against trafficking and exploitation. Your club can play an important role in raising awareness about this critical issue.
February 3: Johns Hopkins COVID-19 Webinar
Johns Hopkins Medicine is offerings its webinar on COVID-19 again as part of its A Woman’s Journey series. This remote live program will present and discuss public health measures, vaccine safety, and the lingering effects of COVID-19. Visit the Johns Hopkins website to register.
Middle Atlantic Region: Sandra K. Roberts, President
The Middle Atlantic Region (MAR) President chose the theme “Women Lighting the World With … Creativity, Diversity, Leadership, Unity.” Sandra’s special project was inspired by GFWC International President Marian St.Clair’s theme, Lighting the Future, because it illustrates how GFWC members can exhibit their skills to brighten the world. Since there is always a need to supply food for the hungry, Sandra’s project will be to collect and distribute food to those in need.
Planning for the 2020 Middle Atlantic Region Conference began early November 2019, with trips to Hershey, Pennsylvania to secure a venue. The Region was well on its way to being ahead of schedule and ready to show members a great time, along with providing a lot of information from GFWC Headquarters. Little did the Region know that it would not be able to meet in person; conference planning was about to take a sharp turn.
But the Region’s clubwomen rose to a challenge! Just 24 hours prior to the Conference, Sandra had technical difficulties with her computer and had to buy a new one. She sincerely thanks GFWC Secretary Jolie Frankfurth and MAR Secretary Kathy Canzano for arriving at the magic hour on Saturday, October 3, 2020, at 4:00 pm to assist.
Sandra was delighted by how State Presidents and other officers presented their reports with ease and comfort; they did an excellent video presentation. The business of the Region was carried out effectively. GFWC Pennsylvania shared a video of the National Civil War Museum in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania with members, which would have been part of an in-person tour. A HOBY video presented a great example of leadership. After this conference’s success, Sandra will be ready for the next one!
State President’s Project: Dianne Foerster, Florida
Love, Respect, and Kindness for All is the GFWC Florida President’s Project for 2020-2022. The goal is for all of the clubs in Florida to reach out to their local communities and support any and all special needs that are occurring.
The words “special needs” extend far beyond GFWC Florida’s usual definition, especially during this Administration and the pandemic. Florida has special needs under every Community Service Program area and most Advancement Plan areas. Projects that GFWC Florida clubs have already supported in their communities range from helping people with Alzheimer’s and autism to raising awareness about domestic violence, working to prevent human trafficking, and supporting GFWC Affiliate Organizations St. Jude and Operation Smile. Florida clubwomen are also actively supporting causes concerning libraries, scholarships, fostering/sheltering animals, a cleaner environment, and veterans (both men and women).
In December 2020, a Day of Service President’s Project was planned by the President’s Project Chairmen and team along with the Day of Service Chairman. With representatives in all of Florida’s 14 Districts, clubs were asked to sponsor at least one project in their communities. More than 500 projects were organized across the entire state during the month of December, ranging across a wide spectrum. This was accomplished with the pandemic worsening, so masks were used and social distancing guidelines were followed. The GFWC Florida website shows a wide array of photos featuring the clubs and their projects. Woman’s clubs, Junior clubs, and Juniorette clubs enthusiastically participated. The President’s Project Chairman developed an interactive map with a blue umbrella indicating each club that sponsored a project. The entire state of Florida was covered in little blue umbrellas representing Love, Respect, and Kindness for All!
GFWC Marketplace: Vest
Looking for an everyday blue wardrobe staple to show your support for National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month? Join GFWC International President Marian St. Clair in sporting this comfy Federation blue GFWC vest, made of easy-to-wash polyester. This unisex vest goes perfectly over any outfit to stay warm. Wear it as an outer layer outdoors or indoors, or as an additional layer under your coat for these blustery January days! This vest is available in small, medium, large, XL, and XXL. Order yours today.
There have been reports of mail service delays in many communities throughout the United States. GFWC staff is processing Marketplace orders as quickly as possible, but Headquarters is still operating with limited staff onsite daily. In order to speed up processing of your order, we request that you pay for your order at time of purchase in the Member Portal. For details on mail service in your area, visit the USPS Service Alerts page. |
