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July 2, 2020
View our Important Dates page for upcoming events and milestones.
From GFWC’s International President
Dear Fellow Members,
I am thrilled to welcome you to the 2020-2022 GFWC Administration and am so honored to serve as your 53rd GFWC International President. I hope you are as eager as I am to embrace the many opportunities of leadership, service, and fellowship that will be ours over the next two years. I plan to serve both GFWC and our communities, here and around the world, to the full extent of my energy and abilities, and I know that I can count on you to be there with me!
Just weeks ago, GFWC marked 130 years since 63 woman’s clubs met in New York City to ratify our constitution and, thus, to launch the first volunteer organization for women. The world has faced many challenges since that time, and now, with illness and unrest spreading throughout our country, we also will be tested. Like the women who have gone before us, I am certain we will rise to the challenge. Our commitment is as strong as ever.
In preparing for this Administration, I have worked with the Strategic Planning Committee to generate new ideas and to set achievable goals. I am particularly proud of our efforts to streamline and modernize the Federation, and I hope you will help us continue that process. Your leaders have also carefully studied information garnered through member surveys and dialogs, and used it to revitalize our Special Programs, Community Service Programs, and Advancement Plans. Many thanks to the Executive Committee and the Chairmen and Committee Members who brought these plans to fruition.
As clubwomen, we gain strength and confidence from every volunteer experience. When we work together, no dream is too big.
The 2020–2022 Club Manual is now available for us to start planning new beginnings, together. After logging in to the GFWC Member Portal, select “My Digital Library” after clicking on the profile icon in the upper right corner of your screen. Alternatively, each section is available individually on the GFWC website. However, the entire Manual as one document is only available through the Portal.
Yours in Living the Volunteer Spirit!
Marian St.Clair
GFWC International President
GFWC Resources Move to the Member Portal
Among the many member benefits offered, GFWC’s Member Portal has a more sophisticated documents library than www.gfwc.org. MemberSuite, the system hosting the Member Portal, allows you to download documents much faster! And after August 1, GFWC resources will only be available by logging into the GFWC Member Portal and clicking on “My Digital Library.”
Once in the “GFWC Resources” folder, you should see all resources that have been available at www.gfwc.org/gfwc-resources organized in A–Z folders. As has been the case on www.gfwc.org, documents are filed according to the name of each document. In addition, you’ll be able to see the date and time that the document was last updated—a feature not available on GFWC’s website.
Log in to the Member Portal today, and see what the “My Digital Library” has to offer! As International President St.Clair mentioned above, one of the many resources available is the 2020–2022 Club Manual.
Cares & Concerns
It is with great sadness that GFWC announces the passing of Past Indiana State President and Past GFWC Great Lakes Region President, Rose Russel. Please keep Rose’s family in your thoughts.
Volunteers in Action
This week’s GFWC Blog features GFWC Woman’s League of the Lowcountry (South Carolina), and Women’s Club of Farmingdale (New York). Read and comment on their efforts to help their communities by donating to local organizations.
Send your success stories to pr@gfwc.org be considered for the GFWC Blog! Include a project or event summary, along with action-packed photos.
WHRC Staffing Update
GFWC announces the departure of WHRC Manager Alyssa Constad, who is leaving the Washington, DC area. Please join us in wishing Alyssa the best of luck in her future endeavors. Please direct any urgent WHRC inquiries to Carrie deGuzman during this staffing transition. Until the COVID-19 pandemic subsides, tours of Headquarters and onsite research visits are temporarily suspended.
The Liberty Torch
As support for women’s suffrage grew throughout the early twentieth century, so did the suffragist’s understanding of publicity. Suffragists deployed the use of numerous ploys and events such as marches, rallies, and parades in order to garner public sympathy and attention. In 1915, five years before the 19th Amendment was passed, suffragists from New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania collaborated to stage an unforgettable stunt.
Organized by the Women’s Political Union, suffragists carried a Torch of Liberty across all three states. The torch was carved out of wood and painted a striking bronze. In each town or city that it stopped in, suffragists made a spectacle, and staged demonstrations or parades in which to display it. The torch traveled by tugboat, by foot, and by train, and made rounds everywhere from Rahway, to New York City, to the vacationers down the shore in Asbury Park, New Jersey.
Interestingly, the torch mysteriously disappeared in Asbury Park. Its whereabouts became a favorite news topic until it was discovered in a streetcar in Philadelphia decorated in suffrage colors of green, purple, and white. The torch made its final round when it was returned to Newark, to the president of The National American Woman Suffrage Association, Dr. Anna Howard Shaw.
GFWC Members Save at Office Depot
As the country starts to open up, many of our clubwomen are returning to work. As you plan for your return, use your Office Depot member discount to stock up on sanitary items to stay healthy and clean! Check out their multifunctional disinfectant alcohol wipes containing 75% alcohol saturation and a 99% Sterilization Rate. Order your pack of 80 for $7.99 today!
Who Represents Us?
Do you know who makes the decisions for you in Congress? Knowing who represents you and where they stand on important issues is imperative to becoming an effective advocate. That’s why GFWC’s Legislative Action Center (LAC) makes it easy for you to get to know your state and federal elected leaders. The LAC will tell you who your elected leaders are, provide biographical information, share how often they agree or disagree with GFWC’s advocacy positions, how to contact them, and more! Starting from the President of the United States, down to the representatives in your State Legislature, GFWC wants you to know who represents you! All you have to do is provide your zip code and leave the rest to us. See you on GFWC’s Legislative Action Center!
Marketplace: Folders
Get organized for the upcoming club year! The GFWC Marketplace has folders in red and blue to keep all of your essential information about GFWC and your club in order.
GFWC Headquarters has a limited number of staff onsite each day now that Washington, DC is in the initial phase of reopening in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Your order will be fulfilled as soon as possible.
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