LEADS

GFWC Mississippi

Federation of Women's Clubs

2407 North State Street Jackson, MS 39216

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Southern Region Conference District Convention Photos Forms/Guidelines

GFWC LEADS

Leadership Education and Development Seminar

2006 LEADS applicants were (left to right) Diane Hollingshead, 20th Century Club, Prentiss;

Kimberly W. Kirby, Civic Woman's Club, Picayune; Ginny Lucas, 20th Century Club, Ackerman;

Mitzi McCostlin, Fine Arts Club, Bruce

Pictured are Ivous Sisk, Past MFWC President, Past SRC President and GFWC Board Member;

Ginny Lucas, GFWC-MFWC LEADS participant and Sheila "Tinker" Forrester, Ackerman 20th Century Club

MFWC had its fourth MS LEADS seminar from 9:30 - 11:45 am on April 29, 2006 at the State Convention at Eagle Ridge.
MS stands for Mississippi and Malone-Sisk Education/Leadership Endowment, which funded the seminar.
The LEADS applicants had talks by the following: Lynda Essary - 2005 MFWC LEADS delegate; Jackie Pierce - GFWC International President-elect 2004-2006; Judy Martin - GFWC-MFWC President-elect; Ivous Sisk - Past MFWC President, Past SRC President and GFWC Board member; Celia Fisher - Past MFWC President and GFWC Board member; Jo Anne Reid - Past MFWC President, MFWC Juniorette
Director, SRC Board and GFWC Board member; Nannette White - former GFWC Junior Director and

GFWC President's Special Project Chairman for 2006-2008

The MS LEADS participants were reimbursed for their registration, Saturday night banquet and mileage. MFWC hopes that even more clubs will endorse applicants next year. We need to know about these clubwomen who are interested in leadership positions. They are the future of
GFWC and MFWC! Remember that any clubwoman of any age is eligible who bas not held elected Positions at or beyond the
state level. It was exciting to have four LEADS applicants with outstanding records of club leadership. Each one of them would have been an outstanding clubwoman representing Mississippi at the GFWC LEADS seminar. The applicants were: Diane Hollingshead, 20th Century Club, Prentiss; Kimberly W. Kirby, Civic Woman's Club, Picayune; Ginny Lucas, 20th Century Club, Ackerman; Mitzi McCostlin, Fine Arts Club, Bruce.

The Mississippi clubwoman selected for GFWC LEADS for 2006 is Ginny M. Lucas, a member of the GFWC-MFWC 20th Century Club of Ackerman. Ginny has been Club Secretary 2002-2006; Choctaw County Junior Miss Co-Chairman, 2002-2006; Choctaw County Pet Show Chairman 2005-2006; Home Life Helping Hands Chairman 2004-2006; and Education - Special Projects Chairman 2001-2004. After Ginny received her B.S. and M.S. degrees in Elementary Education, she has taught sixth grade at Greenlee Elementary School in Attala County since 2001. After only two years as a teacher, her leadership abilities were recognized by the administration and she was selected to be Chairman of the Teacher Support Team for the last four years. This team meets with individual teachers to discuss strategies in helping students with academic or behavioral problems.
Ginny has been the Vacation Bible School Director for four years and Children's Bible Drills Director for four years, as well as other active church roles. She is the only Young Adult selected to be on the Special Building Committee for a Family Life Center. Some quotes from her LEADS application's letters of support state: "Ginny not only is willing to spend the time it takes, but she does all of these many activities well and with enthusiasm! I just don't know another 27 year old who has accomplished as much and has as much promise as she does." We were impressed that Ginny applied for her second MS LEADS, adding another year's record of volunteer service to her application. We know she will be a wonderful LEADS delegate!

Guidelines for GFWC State Federations

Click here for further updated GFWC information on LEADS.

The GFWC LEADS program is designed to identify GFWC members at the grassroots level who have the potential and the desire to assume leadership positions in GFWC beyond their club. Participation in GFWC LEADS will help to provide these members with the capabilities, confidence, and commitment to pursue and achieve higher office and serve with distinction.

The LEADS Seminar will be held annually in conjunction with the GFWC International Convention. It will be a full day of activities, including breakfast and lunch.
One attendee from each state federation will participate in LEADS.
GFWC will cover a portion of the attendees' expenses, including round-trip travel to and from the GFWC Convention City and breakfast and lunch during the LEADS program.
State federations may consider underwriting a portion of attendees; expenses (i.e., lodging, additional meals).
LEADS attendees may be asked to be responsible for a portion of their expenses as an affirmation of their personal commitment (i.e., lodging, additional meals).

LEADS MAY INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:

Presentations by outside speakers on conflict resolution, mediation, public speaking skills
Explanation of GFWC resources, materials, and assistance available to clubs and officers
Discussions on effective use of GFWC policies, procedures, and parliamentary law
Shared wisdom and experience of successful GFWC leaders
Tips and techniques for pursuing leadership opportunities

CRITERIA FOR PARTICIPATION IN LEADS:

Each state candidate for LEADS should:

demonstrate leadership capabilities at the club level as active club president, club officer or club project/committee chairman
exhibit a commitment to Federation
exhibit an understanding of the GFWC mission of community service, illustrated by programs/projects in which she is/has been involved
demonstrate leadership skills, including but not limited to the following (to be described in narrative form): organized, responsible, trustworthy, enthusiastic, flexible
exhibit an interest and willingness to pursue higher leadership positions in Federation
agree to share information gained from participation in LEADS with others in the state (possibly by conducting a "mini-LEADS" program)
understand and accept potential expenses involved in participation
not have held elected positions at or beyond the state level
not have attended a previous LEADS program (members are eligible to attend only once)

SELECTION PROCESS:

Each state Federation will select one LEADS attendee annually. Attendees are expected to meet the criteria listed above. While the selection process is at the discretion of each state Federation, the following method of selection and standards for consideration should be followed.

APPLICATION:

State Federation solicits applications from individuals. Click here to view and/or print application form.

Personal information (name/address, etc.) on the form should be covered or concealed during judging, allowing applications to be considered solely on merit
Application form asks for information that directly illustrates how criteria are being met
Letter(s) of recommendation or support from active GFWC club member(s) are required
Applications would be judged on a point system, but be sure to let applicant know what the system is
Application forms would be available to entire state membership (can be published in state newsletter; distributed at district or state meetings; available on state federation web site, etc.)

State Federation solicits nominations from clubs' districts

All criteria listed for application process apply also to nomination process
State can determine how many nominations will be considered from each club/district