News & Notes – June 20, 2019

Important Announcement: GFWC’s New Association Management Software

Over the past year, GFWC Staff has been busy working on the deployment of our next Association Management Software, MemberSuite. This members-only portal will be going live very soon.

MemberSuite will allow members to update membership information instantly, communicate with other members, register for events, donate and make payments on the same platform, shop in GFWC’s Marketplace, and track all member transactions— all in one system.

If you’re going to GFWC’s Annual Convention in Austin, you can find GFWC Staff near Marketplace beginning June 26 to help you create your login and update your profile. If you will not be in Austin, keep an eye on News & Notes for information about logging on.

Convention Reminders

It’s almost time to make memories at the 2019 GFWC Annual Convention in Austin! Pack and prepare with ease by keeping these reminders in mind.

• Bring the Spring 2019 GFWC Clubwoman Magazine to reference the Bylaws and Resolutions. Or, access them online.
• Each event has a specified dress code. Check your Call to Convention to plan what outfits you need to bring.

  F—Formal: Floor-length evening gown, dressy cocktail, or separates.
  AF—After Five: Cocktail dress or dressy sundress, long dressy skirt and top, or dressy pant outfit.
  BC—Business Casual: Skirt, khakis, or dress pants, open-collared shirt, sweater, or blouse. No jeans, shorts, or spaghetti straps.
  C—Casual: GFWC t-shirt or polo, walking shorts, capris, or jeans.

• Bring your raffle donations to staff at registration.
• Bringing service project items with you? Make sure to follow TSA guidelines.
• Get professional headshots at Convention! If you’re interested, contact Laura Bergman from LoLo B Designs at laura@lolobdesigns.com or 952-649-1463.
• Make your Austin airport transportation plans. Super Shuttle offers a round trip ride for $34 (which includes an 18% tip) or a shared ride trip for $18 (which also includes an 18% tip). Save by booking your return trip in advance!
• Show your excitement by updating your Facebook profile picture with our Convention Profile frame. Hover your mouse over the photo and click “Use Frame.”
• As you post photos or document your Convention experience, use the official Convention hashtag: #GFWCinAustin19.

Take a look at these final reminders, pack your bags, and get excited for a wonderful time with us in Austin!

Volunteers in Action

The GFWC Women’s Club of Indian River (Delaware), GFWC High Springs New Century Woman’s Club (Florida), and the Woman’s Club of Parsippany-Troy Hills (New Jersey) are featured on GFWC’s Blog.

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

Sign Up to Lip Sync

There are still four slots open for the Lip Sync at the 2019 GFWC Annual Convention. Take the stage and strut your stuff! Send your group name, contact name, phone, email, and your state affiliation to Director-elect of Junior Clubs Kristina Higbee by Sunday, June 23.

GFWC Marketplace: Convention Notice

Due to the 2019 GFWC Annual Convention, the GFWC Marketplace will be offline from June 21 to July 8. If you need items in that time frame, order them today!

State President’s Project: Kansas, Kathy Baker

When Kathy Baker was looking at special projects for the GFWC of Kansas 2018–2020 Administration, choosing Veteran/Military Support as the focus was easy. Her dad was a Marine and other family members had served in the U.S. Air Force.

Two of the biggest issues facing veterans today are homelessness and mental health. Although a report from the Veterans Administration shows that there has been a nearly 50% reduction in veteran homelessness since 2010, the issue remains. Veterans make up 12% of the adult homeless population, and 70% of homeless veterans suffer from substance abuse. Additionally, 50% experience mental health issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which makes it harder to maintain relationships and hold down a job. Veterans are 2.5 times more prone to suicide than civilians. At least 20 veterans are lost each day to suicide; that translates to 48,000 in the last six years.

GFWC Kansas is hosting multiple speakers to shine the spotlight on veteran homelessness, PTSD, and other issues, such as Col. Gary LaGrange who operates the S.A.V.E. Farm in Manhattan, KS. The farm works with veterans and transitioning military to teach them farming techniques, and there have been amazing results with individuals suffering from PTSD.  Col. LaGrange will also be speaking to the Mississippi Valley Region Conference in September.

Also, clubs have been encouraged to support veterans and the military. Current club projects include: providing a canteen for all departing and returning units at their local army base, recycling used Christmas cards into beautiful handmade cards for a military base, making Christmas stockings, participating in Quilts of Valor, hosting bingo, collecting personal items, and designing unique Veterans Day programs. Clubs are also involved in collecting Troopons® and one club exceeded their goal of collecting $50,000 worth of coupons. Serving our military heroes in various ways is an honor and a privilege … a small way to say “thanks.”

Parliamentary Pointers: Voting by Delegates

by GFWC Parliamentarian Deen J. Meloro

So, if you haven’t started packing for Austin, you’ve at least thought about it. Excited?

If you’re a delegate, there are a few extra things to pack. First and foremost is the Spring 2019 GFWC Clubwoman Magazine. This contains the Call to Convention and includes proposed amendments to the Bylaws and proposed changes to the Resolutions. A convention is the annual business meeting of an organization, and the main business will be working on the Bylaws and Resolutions. You should also bring a notepad to take notes so that you can report back to your club that you’re representing.

If you are a delegate, you are responsible for attending all Business Sessions because your club, or state, whichever you represent, has chosen you to be its voice in Austin. Your fellow clubwomen are counting on you to go, listen, and choose. Resolutions show what GFWC stands for and Bylaws show how our organization works, making them both extremely important. If your club is not in favor of a Resolution or Bylaws change, they should have instructed you on what you should do. If you received no instructions, but are personally questioning a Bylaw or Resolution change, be prepared to speak.

If you wish to make a motion, you will need to get a motion form from a teller, fill it out, and get someone to sign as a seconder. A teller will then bring the motion form to the head table for the President to read to the other delegates, and the body of delegates will vote on the motion.

The most important thing for every delegate to bring with them is an open mind. This allows you to absorb new ideas and new perspectives. I look forward to seeing everyone and listening to your ideas and perspectives.

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