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November 4, 2022
View our Important Dates page for upcoming events and milestones.
An Incredible 2022 Region Conference Season
Western States Region officers, GFWC President Debra Strahanoski, GFWC President-elect Suellen Brazil, and GFWC clubwomen attended the Western States Region Conference in Anchorage, Alaska.
During the past several weeks, GFWC had the wonderful opportunity to travel across the country for the 2022 Region Conferences. These exciting conferences brought together clubwomen from throughout the Federation to share ideas, inspire each other, and tell success stories about the hard work they have done in their communities in the past year.
GFWC members participate in a demonstration of the “Clothesline Project” for the presentation of the GFWC Signature Program during the New England Region Conference in Providence, Rhode Island.
You can share in the Federation fun by viewing our online 2022 Region Conference photo album! Click on the arrow in the lower right corner of each photo to download individual images. To download an entire gallery, click the “Download All” arrow in the lower right corner of the photo at the top of the screen. You will be prompted to enter your email address, which you will need to verify by clicking on a link when receiving an email. After doing so, you will receive a second email with an option to download the entire photo album.
Thank you GFWC members for bringing such brilliant light to the lives of others!
Organize a Cell Phone Drive to Support Secure the Call
Many of us have old cell phones and unused devices sitting around at home, but instead of throwing them out, consider donating them to someone in need! GFWC has partnered with Secure the Call, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, to aid them in their mission to provide free emergency devices to domestic violence shelters throughout the U.S.
For the past 20 years, Secure the Call has been asking people across the U.S. to donate their old, unwanted devices, which they repurpose into free emergency call phones. These life-saving devices can call 911 without a service contract and ensure that help is never out of reach for individuals in abusive relationships.
From October 1 to February 28, we’re inviting all GFWC clubs to hold a drive to collect the devices they need for their program. We aim to help Secure the Call collect 7,500 phones and tablets to meet their expected demand for 2023.
Holding a drive is easy, and Secure the Call will provide marketing materials and pay all shipping charges to send them the devices your club collects.
To get started on planning your cell phone drive, visit www.securethecall.org/GFWC.
Cares & Concerns
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Lou Brown, GFWC Past Illinois State President (1984-1986), on October 17. Lou was a friend and mentor to many and will be remembered for her many contributions to the Federation as an Illinois and GFWC leader.
Cards can be sent to Lou’s family at 5332 Rocky Mountain Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46237.
Volunteers in Action
This week’s GFWC Blog features GFWC Woman’s Club of the Lowcountry (South Carolina) and GFWC Botetourt Town and Country Women’s Club (Virginia). Read how South Carolina clubwomen created care bags in recognition of October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month and how Virginia members donated handmade bags filled with personal care items to a local facility for domestic violence survivors for Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Have a success story to tell? Email PR@GFWC.org to have your club project considered for the GFWC Blog.
Celebrate National Family Volunteer Day with March of Dimes
Join GFWC Affiliate Organization March of Dimes as they celebrate National Family Volunteer Day on November 19. This global day of service celebrates the power of families who work together to support their communities and neighborhoods.
March of Dimes is encouraging families to come together to help provide Meals that Matter. A meal is more than just food–it provides nourishment and energy, self-care, and can reduce financial stress. Moms and their families know that it takes a village, and this is a chance to come together, family to family, and support one another.
Clubwomen are encouraged to consider providing their own Meal that Matters! Make a meal for someone who is pregnant, a new parent, or someone struggling after the recent loss of an infant or pregnancy. You could also provide a meal to hospital staff, NICU families, or frontline workers.
If you need help connecting with someone in your community who could use a meal, check out Lasagna Love, a March of Dimes partner that connects neighbors with neighbors through homemade meal delivery, providing help and spreading kindness when it is needed most.
Learn more and sign up today! No matter how you decide to participate, you can share your efforts with #mealsthatmatter on social media and tag @MarchofDimes.
GFWC Headquarters Update
Please join us in congratulating Tiana Robles for her promotion as GFWC’s new Executive and Finance Coordinator. She will be working in the Executive Office, providing support to the Executive Committee, the Board of Directors, and the Executive Office staff. Tiana’s email is TRobles@GFWC.org.
Congratulations, Tiana!
Johns Hopkins Webinar November 8
Johns Hopkins Medicine is offering a webinar at 7:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday, November 8, to discuss how genetic medicine can lead to a better understanding and treatment of disease. Join Ambroise Wonkam, M.D., Ph.D., Johns Hopkins professor of genetic medicine and director of the McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine and the Department of Genetic Medicine, as they discuss the role genetic medicine plays in the world of health. Visit the Johns Hopkins website to register for this event.
GFWC Member Portal FAQs Provide Helpful Tips for Clubwomen
Clubwomen have access to a wealth of information, resources, GFWC merchandise, and fun and informative events through the GFWC Member Portal. Whether you are wondering how to sign up for an account of your own, register for a webinar, purchase items from Marketplace, or want to learn more about GFWC Community Service Programs in the Club Manual, you can find answers to these questions and more by checking out the Member Portal FAQ page.
This resource, which is published within the GFWC Resources section of www.GFWC.org, includes sections on general GFWC Member Portal inquiries, navigating the Digital Library, registering for GFWC events, placing orders with Marketplace, donating to GFWC, using GFWC logos and emblems, and how to join GFWC. The step-by-step answers will help guide you through many common questions and concerns regarding the GFWC Member Portal.
However, if you can’t find the answer you are looking for in the Member Portal FAQs, please don’t hesitate to email GFWC@GFWC.org and someone will assist you with your inquiry as soon as possible.
State President’s Project: Katherine DeBurra, Connecticut
GFWC Connecticut State President Katherine DeBurra had her blood pressure checked at a Health Fair organized by the Killingworth Women’s Organization.
GFWC Connecticut State President Katherine DeBurra’s Administration theme is Individually we are one wave, together we are an ocean! Katherine selected the symbol of the ocean to honor her home club in Madison, Connecticut, which she has been a member of for 33 years, since it is near the shoreline. In addition to this theme, her president’s project focuses on women’s health and wellness. She said when women’s bodies are healthy, they have more positive energy and can achieve many goals together.
Clubs are encouraged to promote healthy programs and topics and to use the theme GFWC Get Fit Within Communities! The March 2023 State Meeting will be titled, March Into Health!, and the programs for that meeting will focus on health topics from member’s suggestions.
Katherine hopes to receive input from members and engage them in planning throughout her Administration. She feels that since people everywhere are coming out of some very unusual and abnormal times during the COVID-19 pandemic, now is a time for getting back to normalcy and connecting with fellow members. Already having held a state board meeting in July and a fall conference in September, both well attended, Katherine is now considering a variety of venues, such as museums and other alternative locations, for future meetings.
During her Administration, Katherine also hopes to guide members into more leadership roles and opportunities. Dedication and growth to membership, including the recruitment of new members and retaining current members, is paramount!
Sharing the organization with the public, making people aware of Federation achievements, and celebrating GFWC’s success in various communications will help GFWC continue to make the world more beautiful than we found it!
GFWC Marketplace: GFWC Bling Pin
Show off your GFWC spirit in style with the GFWC Bling Pin! The rhinestone pin measures 3/4” by 2-1/2” and includes a pin and clasp. This pin will be the perfect way to add a bit of sparkle to any outfit or bag this spring. Order yours today.
For information on mail service in your area, visit the USPS Service Alerts page. To speed up the processing of your order, we request that you pay for your order at the time of purchase in the Member Portal.
Update Your Member Portal Profile
Please visit your profile in the Member Portal and verify that your name, contact information, and home address are correct. If these fields are not correct, select the pencil icon to make edits. If your primary club is incorrect, please email GFWC@GFWC.org for assistance. Past positions are currently being archived by GFWC staff. |
