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October 8, 2020
View our Important Dates page for upcoming events and milestones.
Celebrate the International Day of the Girl Child on October 10
By Mary Kaye Ernest, GFWC International Liaison Committee Chairman
Sunday, October 11, 2020, is International Day of the Girl Child, an annual United Nations observance that brings the global injustices, inequalities, and challenges that girls all over the world face to the forefront. Each year, the International Day of the Girl Child has a theme, and this year you have the perfect opportunity to get clubwomen in your state involved.
The 2020 theme is: “My Voice, Our Equal Future.” Let’s seize the opportunity to reimagine a better world inspired by adolescent girls–recognized, invested in, and energized. Adolescent girls worldwide are striving to become change-makers, live free from gender-based violence and harmful practices, and learn new skills through education to brighten their futures. The young women of today are our next generation to achieve social change.
For example, our GFWC Juniorette Clubs in Belize strive to provide safe school experiences and living conditions. In addition, they have programs that promote self-esteem, self-confidence, leadership, and a dignified life for girls. Both are small clubs, but the work of these Juniorettes is improving and empowering the lives of girls throughout their communities.
Since many clubwomen are unfamiliar with the International Day of the Girl Child, this is a great topic to discuss at your next meeting. How will your club celebrate this day? For more information on this observance, visit www.un.org or www.plan-international.org.
Stay tuned for more updates from GFWC’s International Liaisons Committee about what International Affiliates are doing to improve all aspects of girls’ lives globally.
Exploring for Members with Single-Issue Clubs
Some GFWC clubs have evolved into focusing on one specific area for volunteer activities. This may be due to a focus on a definitive community issue, the desire to continue to support one project from its inception, or may simply be driven by members’ time constraints.
How can your club continue to expand your membership? Here are some ideas:
- A tried and true method of recruitment is “each one ask one.”
- Coordinate a specific project/program with another organization.
- Use social media! Create a Facebook Page using a fun, informative video.
- Become the “program” at community centers, career fairs, and other venues or events. Create a clear understanding of who your club is, what the club is looking for from members, and “what’s in it for them.”
- Spread the word at work, especially if the club’s focus is similar to your professional life, and utilize employer incentives.
Remember, membership recruitment is every member’s job! Share your thoughts on the Membership Committee’s Facebook theme this month.
Cares & Concerns
Karen H. Morris, New York State President (2002–2004), passed away on Sunday, October 4. Karen was a dedicated and enthusiastic member who served many terms on the GFWC Board of Directors. Condolences may be sent to her daughter, Lisa Morris, at 107 Aspen Street, Liverpool, NY 13088 or to Karen’s husband David Morris, 7461 Thunderbird Road, Liverpool, NY 13088.
Volunteers in Action
The Women’s Club of Madison, Riverside Woman’s Club, and Woman’s Club of Danbury/New Fairfield are featured on the GFWC Blog this week. Read about their emergency responder support, voter outreach (non-partisan), and mask making projects.
Have club news? Submit a success story with action-packed photos about how your club is staying active during the pandemic to PR@GFWC.org.
Region Conferences: How Does Your Light Shine?
What members are saying about the remote GFWC Region Conferences:
“I was hesitant about signing up for the conference because it was online; however, I’m so glad I did. Everyone did a great job keeping our attention. Thank you and congratulations on a job well done.”
“Marian, you are connecting with what we are feeling this past year. Thank you.”
“Loved hearing all the State President reports. Great leadership in GFWC!”
“Deb, you really inspired this Membership team member. Loved your enthusiasm and passion! Can’t wait to share your insights with the members…”
“Inspirational and good reminder of why we are GFWC club members, so many ways we can help this world.”
Register for Region Conferences in the Member Portal
Have you registered for your Region Conference yet? Log in to the GFWC Member Portal, select “Events” from the top menu, select “Browse Events,” and then select the appropriate Region Conference from the event listing to register. Registration for all of the events closes three days prior to their start, but please register early for planning purposes. Below are the upcoming registration deadlines!
New England Region Conference
October 17, 2020, 1:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. EDT
Registration ends on October 14.
Great Lakes Region Conference
October 24, 2020, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. CDT
Registration ends on October 21.
Southern Region Conference
October 31, 2020, 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. EDT
Registration ends on October 28.
Don’t have a camera or microphone on your computer? No problem! You can still listen in, watch, and vote during all Region Conferences. If you’d like to register for multiple Region Conferences, contact GFWC@GFWC.org.
Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF
Visit www.unicefusa.org/trick-or-treat to register your club to Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF! Follow UNICEF’s instructions to create an online profile and receive a Virtual Collection Box. Despite the pandemic, Halloween is still on, and UNICEF needs your help to make October 31 a fun, “feel-good” story to improve children’s lives around the world.
Legislative Corner
Supreme Court Nomination
President Trump has nominated Judge Amy Coney Barrett from Indiana to be an Associate Justice on the U.S. Supreme Court. Her confirmation hearing will be held the week of October 12. You can watch on C-SPAN or the Senate Judiciary Committee website.
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg passed away on September 18 and became the first woman and the first Jewish-American in American history to lie in state at the U.S. Capitol.
Federal Programs Get Necessary Funding
On September 30, Congress enacted bipartisan legislation to fund federal programs until December 11, at the current spending levels, avoiding a shutdown. President Trump signed the bill October 1, the beginning of the new federal fiscal year. In the final stages of negotiation, funding from the Commodity Credit Corporation has been provided for farmers and an additional $8 billion was appropriated for a pandemic program to feed children who normally receive free or reduced-price meals at school. With the temporary spending bill in place, lawmakers will try to complete work on the 12 appropriations bills for FY 2021 in the post-election lame-duck session in November and December.
REAL IDs
A consequence of the hardship caused by the COVID-19 pandemic is that people don’t have to worry about getting a REAL ID this year. October 1 was to be the date the federal government adopted stricter identification requirements to board domestic flights or enter federal facilities that require an ID. Instead of a standard driver’s license, people would have needed a passport or a REAL ID–a driver’s license or state ID card with a gold star in the upper right-hand corner to indicate that it meets the federal standards. The Department of Homeland Security has delayed enforcement of the new ID requirements by a year to October 1, 2021.
Techie’s Tips: Spoofing Reminder
You just received an email from a GFWC Officer, GFWC staff, a GFWC sister, or another trusted source asking you to do something strange or unexpected. It might be an urgent request to talk, share private information, or purchase something for them. You’re most likely being baited for a response from someone (a spoofer) trying to take advantage.
Without closer inspection, it might be easy to mistake spoofing emails as legitimate:
- A name you recognize appears as the sender, but when you hover over the sender’s email address it is generic and doesn’t match the person’s real email address.
- It addresses you by name. It may even appear to have the person’s signature. Watch out for computer fonts that resemble handwriting!
- The content (giving to those in need) is relevant to GFWC.
If your email needs to be posted on your club’s website for customer service reasons, you will need to closely monitor for email spoofs. While GFWC cannot prevent your email account from receiving these emails, rest assured that your privacy is a priority. GFWC does not broadcast contact information to stay vigilant in the age of the Internet and technology!
State President’s Project: Helen Moren, West Virginia
The West Virginia State President Project focuses on Opioid Crisis/Drug Abuse and Recovery. Why was this chosen? Every time you turn on the TV and read the paper, it seems like West Virginia is ranked as the number one state in crisis.
Club members will be working with the West Virginia Alliance of Recovery Residences (WVARR). The term “Recovery Residence” is a broad term describing a sober, safe, and healthy living environment that promotes recovery from alcohol, drug use, and associated challenges. WVARR is funded by grants. West Virginia clubwomen will be making monetary donations, along with giving household items to help start up WVARR’s apartments or houses when their clients leave the “Recovery Residence.” Donations are distributed to all of the “Recovery Residences” throughout the state.
GFWC West Virginia’s focus is to stop, think, and face the problem before the crisis worsens. How do we combat this problem? Education is the key. Clubwomen will focus on educating our younger generations about the dangers and effects that drugs have on their health and wellbeing. Kaye Burkholder, Arts and Culture Community Service Program Chairman, has coordinated the “Blocks for Unity” project. To raise money for the project, clubs and members have made quilt squares at the cost of $10 per square. Members’ participation resulted in making a king-size quilt, which will be raffled off at the 2021 West Virginia State Convention.
Club Anniversaries and Gold Pin Recipient
Anniversaries
50th
GFWC Cookeville Junior Woman’s Club (Tennessee)
60th
Henry Clay Woman’s Club of GFWC (Virginia)
Wake Forest Woman’s Club (North Carolina)
85th
GFWC of Romney (West Virginia)
GFWC Shorewood Woman’s Club (Wisconsin)
120th
GFWC Woman’s Club of West Allis (Wisconsin)
Gold Pin Recipients
Lila McLain
GFWC Twentieth Century Club of Cainsville (Missouri)
Carol Witman
GFWC Woman’s Club of Spring Township (Pennsylvania)
Sherry Campbell
GFWC 21 Club (Maine)
Nancy Hutchinson, Phyllis Barnes, Peggy Phillips
GFWC Greater Ocala Woman’s Club (Florida)
Kathleen Rugg, Barbara Wilson
GFWC Greenland Women’s Club (New Hampshire)
Jo Cox, Sylvia Layne, Helen Northcutt
GFWC Morehead Woman’s Club (Kentucky)
Virginia Johnson
GFWC Hermitage Woman’s Club (Virginia)
Madeline Murphy
GFWC Joppatowne Woman’s Club, Inc. (Maryland)
Marie Morman, Marian Smith
GFWC Nazareth Woman’s Club (Pennsylvania)
Donna Shackel
GFWC Women’s Improvement Club of Roseville (California)
Janice Kretschmer, June La Mantia
Past Presidents & Officers Club (Illinois)
Marketplace: A Private Family Matter
Reading A Private Family Matter: A Memoir by Victor Rivas Rivers is a meaningful way you can observe Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Use the extra time you have at home to read this powerful story about how domestic violence put one family in crisis.
Please note: Headquarters is operating with limited staff daily, and the Postal Service is also experiencing service delays in many communities. |
