MFWC NEWS

CLICK HERE TO VIEW AND PRINT THE MFWC 2006 AWARDS BOOKLET FOR DEPARTMENT, WRITING, AND YOUTH ART AWARDS.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW AND PRINT THE MFWC 2006 AWARDS BOOKLET FOR YEARBOOK, SCRAPBOOK, AND PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS.

MESSAGE FROM 2006-2008

GFWC-MFWC PRESIDENT

JUDY THOMAS MARTIN

Dear Federation Friends,

Thank you very much for the opportunity to work with outstanding women like you. I am so excited about the great leadership and service our members provide throughout Mississippi. With programs and projects tailored to meet the needs of each community, we are truly, "Building Today for a Brighter Tomorrow."

It is with great enthusiasm that I ask you to support just such a project, Habitat for Humanity. I selected Habitat as my special project because I believe that housing is the greatest need of the people of Mississippi at this pivotal moment in our State's history. More importantly, I believe
that our organization can and must help our friends and neighbors meet this critical need. Members are encouraged to donate items, make financial contributions, and provide labor
for local Habitat affiliates.

Likewise, members are also requested to support the Women Build program of the Metro-Jackson Habitat affiliate. With the financial assistance of our friends in the Georgia federation, we have already sponsored one house and supplied labor for the 2006 Women Build project (which is providing two houses in the Jackson area and one on the Coast -- all built by women volunteers). In addition, we have collected many lovely household items for our new
homeowners. I am truly grateful for all that you have contributed and I hope that you willjoin us for the dedications of the Jackson houses and the groundbreaking for the Coast home later this Fall. Many thanks to Lynda Essary of Philadelphia for agreeing to chair this tremendous undertaking and for working so hard to make it a success.
 

In addition to Habitat, there are several other priorities of this administration that I would like to bring to your attention. For example, we will be renewing our longstanding friendship with Mississippi Public Broadcasting by promoting and supporting this very worthy endeavor. Elizabeth Powers has agreed to chair this project, and there is a special report form for MPB in the Handbook. Please consider how your club can assist MPB and make plans to do so.

Another important priority of this administration will be the redistricting of our clubs. I appreciate Tommye Rosenbaum for agreeing to chair the Long-Range Planning Committee. This committee will propose plans for the equitable and more balanced distribution of our clubs into districts. As you know, we currently have two districts with more than twenty clubs and two districts with fewer than ten clubs. .if you have any suggestions for how we can equalize
our districts, please feel free to contact any member of the Long-Range Planning Committee with your ideas.
 

I also hope you will support the two new MFWC Ways and Means offerings: the exclusive, custom-made Gail Pittman pattem "Truly Southem" and the MS/MFWC License Plate. More information on each of these is available in this magazine from Ways and Means Chairman,
Leslie Lincoln, and License Plate Chairman, Dorothy Thomas.
 

I hope you enjoy this magazine, which has been streamlined this administration. As a result, the guidelines for all contests and important forms have been placed in the handbook and on the website for your convenience. I am so appreciative of Tinker Forrester, June Vaughn, and Diane Rouse for all they do to help inform our members, and I hope that you will study and use the information provided in this magazine, on the website, and in our handbook.

My thanks to each of you who attended Summer Institute and to the officers and board members who worked so hard to present a well-organized and informative program. My
special thanks to Diane Rouse, who attended to every detail with such ease. I look forward to many such productive meetings throughout this administration. If I can ever assist you or your club in any way, please do not hesitate to call on me. I am honored by this very humbling opportunity to represent each of you and to serve our wonderful organization.
 

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Membership Moments

I'm so very pleased to be a part of the General Federation of Women's Clubs! Where else can so much be accomplished using limited resources? Our volunteers are remarkable. They
are organized into boards, committees, special project groups; and they get the job done. Children, families, women, and communities across the country and around the globe benefit
everyday from projects and programs supported by local club women like you and me.

As the 2006 - 2008 administration begins, we must take a serious look at MFWC's declining membership, and it must become a priority to stop this trend. This is a perfect time to
try something new and different as well as traditional methods of attaining membership.
At summer board, some goals were set by MFWC's Membership Committee, which is made up of the six District President-elects, as well as myself.
1) At least one NEW CLUB organized in each of the six districts.
2) For each club in the state to ~ at least one new member.
These goals cannot be reached without your help. We all must commit to do what needs to be done to get new clubs organized and running. How would you like for your district to form the first new club or the most new clubs? What are you willing to do to make that happen? If your club contributes to HOBY, why not consider starting a Juniorette Club? Another area that needs our attention is that of retaining club members. We must keep members we already have; it is
vital to MFWC's future. There is no substitute for experience, and new club members need mentors. There are three excellent sources of information available for a minimal fee at GFWC's website, www.gfwc.org:
1. How to Recruit New GFWC Members
2. How to Retain GFWC Club Members
3. How to Build New GFWC Clubs

In 2003, GFWC initiated its first nationwide membership recruiting campaign, ACT in OCT, encouraging all GFWC clubs to organize recruiting ACTivities in OCTober.
"Recruit 3 in October '03" 2163 new members
"4 More in October '04" 2312 new members
"5 to Thrive in October 'OS" 2652 new members
During these three campaigns, over 7,000 new members were welcomed to GFWC clubs across the country!!! Let's Keep the Momentum Going Add 4 to the MIX in OCTOBER '06
Clubs reporting success to GFWC before December 1 will be listed in the GFWC Clubwoman magazine. Hopefully, you will be able to plan an October membership activity around a project for your club. TLC will be given to ALL members of MFWC...
T is for THOUGHTFULNESS to each new member - sending them a personal letter welcoming them into the best volunteer organization in the world.
L is for the LOVE for our current members - let's renew our spirit for MFWC with Fun and Enthusiasm.
C is for our Campaign of ACT IN OCT
Add 4 to the mix in OCTober '06; 5 more would be heaven in October '07
I look forward to "Building Today for a Brighter Tomorrow" as we see membership increase throughout the entire state of Mississippi. If I can assist you, please fee free to call on me. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve you.

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It is critically important that our international organization be able to identify and quantify the many services that MFWC clubwomen provide to Mississippians each year. These
statistics help GFWC and MFWC accomplish more throughout Mississippi, the United States, and the world. The sheer volume of work performed by our clubwomen is so impressive,
that it can help obtain grants on worthy projects and bring about much needed economic, social, and political improvements both at home and throughout the world. To function at our best, however, we need your club to report. The reporting form is easy to use. If your club does not
usually report, PLEASE take the time to complete the one-page report form. The form can be found in the Handbook or on our MFWC website.
 

Narratives should be limited to two-pages, single-spaced (for each program area in each Department - i.e. Conservation - Beautification; not 2 pages for each program and/or project
that falls under Beautification) and you may have up to three pages of supportive materials (again, the same as with the narrative). All pages should be single-sided. YOU MUST USE
THE MFWC Reporting Cover Sheet FOR EACH NARRATIVE.
 

Reporting is vital to the continued success of our organization. Please make sure that you club is counted. REMEMBER that the Reporting Deadline is FEBRUARY 1st and should cover club activities from January 1 through December 31, 2006.
 

Please send a copy of your club's reports, via first-class mail, to the following three addresses:
1. Judy T. Martin, MFWC President, P. O. Box 472, Raleigh, MS 39153 (No supportive materials)
2. Tammie McCoy, MFWC Vice President, 177 West Oxford St., Pontotoc, MS 38863 (with attached supportive materials)
3. GFWC Dept. P, 1734 N St. NW, Washington, DC 20036 (no supportive materials required)
 

No Cross-reporting is allowed. However, as with most things, there are some exceptions. Those being the MFWC President's Special Project - Habitat for Humanity; State Institutions; and Mississippi Public Broadcasting.

There will be a Reporting Workshop on January 6, 2007, from 2 to 4 pm at Headquarters in Jackson. This should be about the same time that you are writing your reports so maybe we can help and answer any questions you have. Additional information regarding this workshop will be
provided to Club Presidents at a later date. I am delighted to be serving as your Vice President for the next two years. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to give me a call. My contact information can be found in the Directory part of this magazine.
 

As GFWC-MFWC Recording Secretary, I will record the information of our organization impartially, accurately and in a timely manner.  As keeper of the records, our history will be preserved by the compiling of the reports, minutes, and documents of the MFWC.

Serving as your GFWC-MFWC Recording Secretary is a great responsibility.  Thank you for allowing me this opportunity. 

Under our GFWC-MFWC President Judy Martin, our organization does truly have the opportunity to grow and put into action our volunteer work with great enthusiasm and dedication.

Thank you for allowing me to once again serve as your Treasurer.  Let me give you some important information about your dues/contributions for the next two years.  The Dues Form is included in this Plans Issue.  The Dues Form is also in the MFWC Handbook, in your Club President’s packet and on the Website (www.gfwc-mfwc.org).   Please remember to do the following:

~~Send two copies (along with your dues) of your Club Roster with the names and addresses in alphabetical order.  (Be sure the number of members on the roster is the same as the number that is stated on the Dues Form.)

~~Pay dues by November 1^st in order to be an Honor Club and receive a Certificate at State Convention.

~~Make your check payable to MFWC.

~~For new members added during the club year, send names, addresses, and dues to:

Merle McLeod, P. O. Box 834, Ackerman, MS 39735.

~~Send notices of deletions or address changes directly to: June Vaughn, 89 CR 257, Bruce, MS 38915 or email her at 4vaughn@tycom.net

Clubs that have not paid dues by January 1^st will not have their reports judged and will not be eligible for District and State Awards.

I am excited about working with you and our 2006-2008 Administration as we strive to carry out our President Judy Martin’s theme of: Building Today for a Brighter Tomorrow.  If I can be of assistance to you or your club, please feel free to contact me.  My contact information can be found on the Dues Form.

 As your Parliamentarian for the next two years, I have a few simple reminders to begin this administration.

~~New Club Presidents, be sure that you get the GFWC Manual that was sent to the 2004 - 2006 presidents.  This should be passed on to you because GFWC had the names of the club presidents for the previous two years.  BUT IT BELONGS TO THE CURRENT PRESIDENTS.  It will include tips on parliamentary procedure and other information you will need.

~~PLEASE purchase a copy of the MFWC Handbook.  These Handbooks were available at Summer Institute.  However, if a representative from your club was not able to attend, copies are still available. 

See ordering information below:

If you have not yet secured a copy of the NEW Handbook, contact:

Diane Rouse, Handbook Editor

601/845/3059-h

601-454-5350-c

crouse99@yahoo.com 

The cost is $6.00 (includes shipping).  The Handbook contains the GFWC-MFWC Constitution & Bylaws, Important Forms, Contest, Grant & Scholarship Guidelines and a Claendar of Events.

Club Histories are very important.  They cover the work you do in your club from January 1 to December 31, 2006.     They are bound into a book to be used for research for years to come. 

Every club that sends in a History receives a Certificate at State Convention.

A History Report Form can be found in the MFWC Handbook and on the website – www.gfwc-mfwc.org.  If you wish to use a word processor to submit your History, just follow the format of the form.

PLEASE – no pictures, supportive materials, staples or punched holes.

Histories are due March 1, 2007.  They are to be mailed directly to me at:  1011 East Jackson Rd., Union, MS  39365.

It is hard to believe I am beginning my fifth administration as Editor of your magazine.  It seems like only yesterday that I was putting that first plans issue together without a clue as to what I was doing.  I must say that through the years I have gained a greater knowledge and reluctantly, a greater understanding of computers.  However, they do still “try” me at times!  I am grateful to our current President Judy Martin and those past who’ve had the faith in me to perform the task at hand.  I must say, that without that first nudge (thanks, Josie), I would not be sitting at my computer this very moment formulating this as I go!

As time passes, changes come.  So changes have come to our world at Mississippi Clubwoman.  A change in the number of times the magazine is published during a year was proposed, voted on and approved at the State Convention held in April of this year.

Beginning with this administration, we will be producing two magazines a year instead of the previous four.  Those issues will be the Fall Plans Issue and the Spring Call to Convention Issue.  The deadline for the Fall Issue has passed (this is it) and the deadline for the Spring Issue will be February 10^th (Judging Day).

You may notice that there aren’t quite as many pictures included as in times past, but alas, as time passes costs increase.  Please don’t fret, your pictures can still be viewed on the website – www.gfwc-mfwc.org.  You just need to send them to my cohort – June Vaughn.  She does a wonderful job with our website and in this age of computers, I don’t know of many people that don’t go on-line at least once a day.  What better way to keep up with the greatest volunteer organization in our state – our very own MFWC!!

 Club Presidents are asked to periodically check with your members to be certain they are receiving the magazine.  If they are not, please contact me immediately so that we can determine what the problem is and correct it.

Lists of members’ names and addresses currently in our mailing list files for each club were provided in each Club President’s packet at Summer Institute.  You should have already returned that list to me.  However, if you have not, please do so immediately.

Thank you for your assistance in helping us keep our mailing list up-to-date.  Always feel free to contact me when you have questions concerning the magazine mailings.

In regard to the website, thanks so much to those of you who have continued to use the MFWC website as well as submitting articles and photos to be posted.  New users are welcomed.  Participation from all clubs is the goal.  Any encouragement you can give your club to submit information for the website is appreciated.  Please remember to include the website address www.gfwc-mfwc.org in your yearbook.  The site can be an excellent public relations tool as well as an effective leadership avenue.  Remember also to report your website participation in your reports under Public Relations or Leadership, as appropriate.

This administration will be posting on the site much of the information in the Plans issue including appropriate forms to be used.  These plans include posting contact information for board members.  If you are a board member, please let me know immediately if you do NOT want your address, phone and/or email posted.

If your club has a website, there are currently 2 clubs in the state who do, please let me know so we can link your website to our MFWC site.  If your club doesn’t have a site I encourage you to consider creating one.

I also want to encourage all members to contact me if you need GFWC or MFWC information, addresses or phone numbers of MFWC members.  I may not have the answers to your questions but I’ll be glad to help you find someone who does.

If you’ve not yet viewed the site, please do so and check out the wealth of information available at gfwc-mfwc.org.  If you visit regularly, keep on coming back!  You never know what you might find posted there.  Please don’t be shy about giving any comments and suggestions you have for improving the site.  This is YOUR site designed to meet YOUR needs.  Your input is vital in maintaining the site.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve our organization in these capacities.

 Mississippi Federated Women,

How does your General Club grow?

 With Juniorette clubs, and joint projects

and fine young ladies all in a row.

‘Planting’ a Juniorette club within your town secures your heritage.  Each club contributes greatly to your community.  Who will do that work in the future?  Beginning a Juniorette club in your area will insure there are young women not only trained as volunteers but with a heart for service.  Every community has the potential for a dynamic Juniorette club.  Start looking for your ‘seeds’  today!

‘Nurturing’ your existing Juniorette club is equally important.  Every Juniorette club needs a strong relationship with their sponsoring club.  Joint projects are an excellent opportunity for you to lead by example.  Working beside a Juniorette provides learning experiences for her as well as mentoring opportunities for you.  Inviting Juniorettes to your club meetings allows them to learn how to conduct programs and meetings.  Volunteering to bring a project to their meeting will teach them interesting and new ideas.  Remember, ‘a little water goes a long way’!

Now, more than ever, we need to invest in the future of MFWC.  I cannot think of a better way than through Juniorette clubs.  They are the ‘tender shoots’ in our Mississippi garden.  Contact me for ‘planting’ instructions.  We will all share in the future harvest.

 Due to the illness and death of my mother, I was unable to attend the Summer Board meeting on June 24^th and Summer Institute in July.  Your continued love and prayers have sustained me through this difficult time.

Thanks to Grace Lebo for being a wonderful mentor.  A special thank you to Carolyn Huey, Jane McArthur and our State President Judy Martin.

In May I installed officers for the Fortnightly Club in Moss Point and Home and Garden in Waynesboro.  This was truly an honor.

I uphold the values and the volunteer work ethic of GFWC and MFWC.  It will be an honor to serve and work with each of you.

Yes, you have already read thoughts from me elsewhere in this publication and no, it is not an error.  I am wearing more than one hat during this administration.  Some may wonder if I have all my faculties about me as I often have those thoughts myself.  It comes down to the bottom line – I have a passion for this Federation that is ours.  I want to see us grow and flourish as the organization that we were founded to be.  In this age of constantly “going and doing” I want our “goings and doings” to make a difference in our communities, state, nation and world.

Others may wonder if we, as individuals, can really make that big of a difference – maybe not one to one, but One by One we have to have vision, see the big picture and begin to Empower ourselves and others.  Regardless of whether it is volunteering at a Domestic Violence Workshop to inform the general public about statistics concerning this growing epidemic; or pounding nails one Saturday afternoon a month at a Habitat for Humanity house; or working a fundraiser to provide landscaping at the newly built walking track in your town, these things add up.  And when you have passion and a vision to see these things accomplished it catches on and when it catches on others join with you and then you are no longer one. 

One advantage I have as being editor of this magazine is that I am able to absorb everything all the leaders of our organization are saying and that is that we must retain our current membership, encourage potential members to join our cause and educate our members as well as the general public regarding issues we have embraced and thus we have Unity in Diversity and a difference will be made.

My goodness, this particular space was suppose to be about District II and I seem to have mixed-up my thoughts.  I realize that I may have taken some editorial liberties here but wherever I put the words, they are still the same, I only hope that I have been able to give you a glimpse of what Federation is to me.

As for District II business:   Club Treasurers be sure and send your District Dues (.20 per member or a minimum of $5.00 per club) to District II Treasurer Melissa Carleton by November 1^st.  These are in addition to your State Dues which are sent to State Treasurer Merle McLeod.

Save the Date:  District II Convention – March 10, 2007 in Meridian.  You will be receiving detailed information at a later date.

Even though I have been active in Federation for almost 13 years now, there are still many of you that I don’t know.  I would like, during the coming two years, to seize as many opportunities as are presented to me to become better acquainted with the Membership of District II.  Again, I want to see our State Federation grow and flourish but I can’t make it happen by myself – won’t you join me?

What a great group of ladies we have in our District.  It is an honor to serve as President of such a talented and hard working group.  How fortunate are the towns with Federated Women’s Clubs!  I have always said that the competitive spirit of District III improves the quality of life for those we serve.  From a beautification project to a town celebration, somewhere in the background will be one of our federated women’s clubs. 

Great things are happening at the GFWC-MFWC level, and I know that our District will be supportive of the endeavors and goals set forth in our state.  Most of you are aware of the MFWC President’s Special Project:  Habitat for Humanity.  At our State Convention, we all witnessed the “benefits of belonging” as Georgia Federation of Women’s Clubs presented Mississippi Federation of Women’s Clubs with a check for $32,000 to fund our first Habitat House.  What an awesome feeling to know that we are a part of something as great as GFWC.

Remember to send your District III dues - $1.00 per member – to District III Treasurer Virginia Hale, 339 Lake Park Drive, Tupelo, MS 38801 by November 1^st.  Also, save the date for District III Convention on March 3, 2007 in Aberdeen.

I look forward to getting to know each of you and to working with your club.  It would be a delight to visit with your club in the coming months.   I encourage each club to continue doing all the great work and to REPORT, REPORT, REPORT!  I know that MUCH work goes unreported, but please “toot your horn” so that everyone will know just how great your club is and how much your community benefits from your efforts.  If you need assistance in reporting – or anything else – I will be glad to help.

 I have enjoyed talking with the club presidents of District IV during the summer.  Everyone sounds excited about the coming year.  We have new projects and plans to explore to benefit our communities.  Remember to include your new members in these plans.

The information you received from Summer Institute will help you with ideas for programs.  If you need further assistance, the state chairmen will be happy to help.  Be sure to begin reporting your volunteer hours!

Please mark these dates on your calendar:  November 3-5, 2006 Southern Region Conference (Florida); January 6, 2007 Board Meeting; February 10 Judging Day; March 24 District IV Convention – Greenwood; April 26-28 State Convention (Natchez).  I hope many of our club members can attend these meetings.  You will receive much information and you will also really enjoy the company.

I enjoyed visiting with the Indianola Civic League in May for their installation of officers.  And I look forward to a November meeting with the Greenwood Woman’s Club.  If I can help you in any way, please let me know.  I would love to spend time with you.  I wish you much success in the coming year.

Remember to send your District Dues of $25.00 per club by November 1^st to District Treasurer Shirley Hilburn, 1100 South Fifth Ave., Cleveland, MS 38732.

A very hearty thank you to Suzanne Poynor and her committee from District V for hosting the wonderful MFWC State Convention at Raymond.  The speakers, decorations, “happies”, door prizes, entertainment, food and fellowship were all out of this world!  Thanks for the hard work from all of District V clubs and members.  District V is so proud to have Judy Martin as our new president of MFWC and hope that all of you can be a part of her Special Project:  Habitat for Humanity by working, providing food or water, contributions or any way that you can.  We will also provide items to put in the new homes for the new owners to use.

I am so looking forward to being your District V president and would like to come to at least one of your meetings during the year if you would like to invite me.  If there is anything that I can do for you and your club, just let me know.  Home phone is 601-845-7239 and my cell phone is 601-953-0964.  Call any time.

Hope you were able to attend Summer Institute to get the new ideas for projects for your next two years.  You all do so much for your communities so please try to keep up with your volunteer hours and report them even if not for competition but to have a more accurate account of what MFWC does for Mississippi.  Everything you do is important and appreciated.

Remember to send in your state dues by November 1 to Merle McLeod and to send in your District Dues of $.50 per member by the same date to District Treasurer Kay Young, P. O. Box 360, Walnut Grove, MS 39189.

Our District V Convention will be on Saturday, March 31, hosted by Raleigh Woman’s Club of Raleigh.  The yards are so beautiful there at that time of year.  I wish we could have 100% representation of our twelve clubs in District V.  We  always have a great meal and wonderful fellowship.  We get to know more new people in Federation every year.  It will be great fun in Natchez at the MFWC State Convention, too.  Please mark your calendars and be there!

Again, I would love to come to at least one meeting with your club.  I really enjoyed installing new officers in May for Clinton’s LeBonte Club and Maids & Matrons, Raleigh Woman’s Club, GFWC/MFWC Florentine Club and GFWC/MFWC Florentine Evening Club in Florence.  Thanks for inviting me. 

Thanks to all of the new officers for District V for serving in 2006 – 2008.  They are listed in another part of this Clubwoman magazine.  I pray that all of you have a WONDERFUL year!  I feel that District V is the BEST!

WOW! What a way to start off our new Administration!!  Every club in our district was represented at Summer Institute – District VI is on the ball!!  Thanks to each and every one of you who attended and a heartfelt thanks to each club for making sure you had a representative there.  Congratulations to the ladies of the Columbia Culture Club who had 100% attendance – amazing!

I know that each club has purchased a Handbook for the 2006-2008 Administration and it contains all the information you need to get your yearbook ready.  Our MFWC President’s Special Project is Habitat for Humanity and if your club hasn’t signed up for a work day, do it now!  Also, our GFWC President’s Special Project is Domestic Violence and each club should have a list of the shelters in the state; the one located in our district is in Natchez.  Please contact me if you need additional information on either one of these projects.

Speaking of NATCHEZ, we are off and running in our preparation for the 2007 State Convention.  We may be little, but I think our State Convention is going to be HUGE.  In the next few weeks, all of our clubs in the District will be given an opportunity to choose your committee(s) to work on for State Convention.  If you would like to volunteer for a specific area, please go ahead and give me a call.  Otherwise, watch your mailbox!

I’m looking forward to a great two years and please call me if you need me to present a program, install officers, attend a club function or any other way I can assist you.

Scrapbooks and Yearbooks must be post-marked to the District Books Chairman by February 15.  Each District Chairman should judge the books according to the guidelines that can be found in the Handbook and on the Website (www.gfwc-mfwc.org).   The same criteria will be used for state judging. General and Juniorette clubs are judged separately.

NOTE:  The purpose of a yearbook is to give a member as much information as possible concerning club, MFWC and GFWC activities.

All scrapbooks and yearbooks judged first place shall be taken by the MFWC President to the State Books Chairman. The District Books Chairman is responsible for placing them in the President’s car.  She should make two lists of the books going forward, giving one to the President and keeping one for herself. All other books must be picked up at the close of the District Convention by the club.

All entries in the state competition must be picked up at the designated time at the State Convention by the sponsoring club.  If no one from the club is present, the District President should pick up all books from her District.

 The Community Improvement Contest offers so many opportunities.  Many clubs are already involved in projects which may qualify for the contest or which could be expanded and further developed to meet the criteria.  The possibilities are endless.  The definition of a Community Improvement Project is a club project that helps make your community a better place to live.  Projects must be accomplished during the period from March 1, 2006 to April 30, 2008.  Club entries must be postmarked by March 1, 2008.

The things your club needs to consider are the following:

~Is there a need for this project in your community?

~How will your club seek and engage community support?

~How will the project be financed?

~What obstacles might you encounter?

~What will your club’s continuing role be with this project?

To report on your Community Improvement Project, a narrative and supporting materials (photographs, press clippings, proclamations, correspondences, etc.) should be presented in a well-organized report.  The report should focus on how the project improved the community.

The project will be judged in three areas:

~Project Selection

~Project Development

~Project Evaluation

There is plenty of time to carefully choose a project which will benefit your community, collaborate with other groups in your community, and develop and carry out a worthwhile project.  Monetary awards will be made on both the state and national levels.

Be sure and consult your GFWC Club Manual for detailed information on how to implement a Community Improvement Project in your club.

The objective of this project is to motivate and educate GFWC members to become empowered, to boost self-esteem and self image.

If you take the two words Empowering and Women you can find the letters to form the following words:  win, more, one, own, owning, norm, and all of these words are strong words.  As women, they empower us.  Our GFWC Program states “empowered women go beyond the norm, beyond the traditional way of doing things and are motivated to move forward with the least amount of difficulty.”

Things to do:

~Each club should appoint an Empowering Women Chairwoman

~Encourage Club Members to become empowered in the areas of health, domestic abuse, and economic independence.

If you would like further information regarding this special project, see your GFWC Club Manual or contact me for additional information and resources.

Fundraising is the life blood of our clubs and key to good projects. Fundraising is hard work. Plan to raise funds, and work your plan. The reported projects that are the most successful seem to always be those that involve the local community and often times are at events planned by the community. Involve yourself in the planning and work of the community projects and often times you will find opportunities for club fundraising.

GFWC Clubwoman Magazine gives us updates on ideas, and GFWC provides resource materials. If your club has not ordered “Successful Fundraising Ideas” and the resource materials suggested by GFWC, please do so.
 

MFWC had the following overall stats for reporting year 2005:
Thirty (30) general clubs reported 727 members participated
in 2 programs and 112 projects with a total of 5,992 volunteer hours of work, with total funds raised of $85,753.49.
Four (4) Juniorette clubs reported a total of 17 projects, with 119 members participating, for a total of 502 volunteer hours, raising $4,292.11.

All clubs must have projects for fundraising! I do not believe any clubs, general or juniorette, can have an active agenda with only membership dues.

Please contact me if I can help you in any way.

The 2006-2008 GFWC International President’s Special Project is Domestic Violence.  The GFWC-MFWC theme is “There Is No Excuse For Abuse”.  The objective of this project is to educate members and others about domestic violence and encourage citizen action to address multiple domestic violence concerns.

Some of the suggested activities and program/project ideas for the next two years include:

~Every club appointing a Domestic Violence Chairman

~Have one or more programs a year related to Domestic Violence

~Contribute financially and/or Volunteer time to Domestic Violence

~Ask local radio stations to air the MFWC Domestic Violence P.S.A.’s

~Collect “CHANGE” at every meeting for Domestic Violence

~Promote Domestic Violence Awareness Month – October

~Donate books, magazines, and school supplies to local shelter

~Help to provide birthday parties, picnics or special events for shelter residents

~Donate “necessities” to a local shelter

~Purchase and Use Domestic Violence U.S. Postal Stamps

~Contact Mayors and County Officials for Local Proclamations

Additional ideas and information can be found in the GFWC Club Manual, the MFWC Handbook and on the Website (www.gfwc-mfwc.org).  Names and Telephone numbers for Abuse Shelters in Mississippi can also be found in the MFWC locations mentioned above.

As Chairman of the Hurricane Katrina Recovery Fund, I will be the liaison between you the members and our State Executive Board in issuing funds available to needy members as a result of Hurricane Katrina.

If you or your club need any assistance due to the impact of Hurricane Katrina that was not taken care of by insurance or FEMA, please send a written request to me and explain your specific needs.  GFWC members all over our country have come to our aid to help our state and particularly, our members. Remember that we can not assist if we’re not aware there is a need. So get your letter in now.  All letters will go through a reviewing process by the executive board and will be selected according to the individual’s need.

I am happy to report the following that have received assistance thus far:

Gulfport Women’s Club - 18 members

Gulfport Civic Woman’s Club - 1 member

Civic Woman’s Club of Picayune - 4 members

Each of these members received $500 initially with an additional $400 recently sent.  There are several clubs on the coast we have not heard from.  Also, we realize some members living further north suffered severe wind damage. We want to ensure everyone that needs assistance, gets it while there are still funds available.

For additional information or inquiries, please feel free to contact me.

Darlene Adams      601-799-0157       bndadams@bellsouth.net

I am excited to have the opportunity to serve as your Leadership Chairman. 

The Leadership Program focuses on Leadership Development, Leadership Opportunities, and Youth Leadership. Please carefully review the program material in the GFWC Club Manual to find some great ideas for maximizing the leadership potential and skills of your members. Remember that an important key to building membership is leadership.

A useful tool for leadership skill building is the GFWC Leadership Tool Kit available from the GFWC Materials Center. Please plan to support member attendance at district, state and national GFWC meetings through the “Dollars for Delegates” program described in the GFWC Club Manual. A vital part of the Leadership Program is the GFWC LEADS (Leadership Education and Development Seminar), now in its sixth year. This seminar was designed to identify
members who have the potential and the desire to assume leadership positions in GFWC beyond their local club. Through participation in GFWC LEADS, members can achieve confidence, capabilities and commitment to pursue and achieve higher office and serve with distinction.
 

This year we were honored to have four excellent MS (Malone Sisk) LEADS applicants with outstanding records of club leadership as participants in our state seminar. I would like to encourage more clubs to 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. To apply, please submit the LEADS application found in the Club Presidents’ packet from Summer Institute or on the MFWC website. Remember to include a photo with your application.
 

To “Build Today for a Brighter Tomorrow” we must identify potential leaders, strengthen leadership skills of our members, and encourage members to seek leadership opportunities. If I can assist you or your club in any way, please feel free to call on me.

This is a very special project for me and near and dear to my heart. To be able to help someone to fulfill the American Dream is wonderful. To have someone working right next to you while you and others are working on the home is awesome.

We are selling the bracelets and earrings for Habitat. I still have some if anyone needs any.  I would like to thank Diane Rouse for the donation of a handmade quilt for us to buy “Opportunities to Own”. This quilt will be given away at the State Convention in April, 2007.  Also, I will be attending the District Conventions and asking for your support with our needs for Habitat for Humanity.   So there will be plenty of time for you to tell all of your club members about the beautiful handmade quilt and other items.  There will be some surprises offered at your District Conventions also.  You never know what they might be and you do not want to miss out on them.

Please note that the report form for the MFWC President’s Special Project, Habitat for Humanity, is in your Handbook and is also available on the website Forms/Guidelines page. You should also cross report under Helping Hands in the Home Life Department.

As you know, MFWC is partnered with Metro-Jackson Habitat for Humanity.  However, if you cannot come to Jackson to work, there are Habitat affiliates near you that can use your help.  Contact them and they can tell you how you can help with the “builds” that they have or will have. It is not just Metro-Jackson Habitat - it is Habitat anywhere in the state of Mississippi.  We are in need of help everywhere for Habitat. I want to thank everyone that has been working in their home town for Habitat or that will be working in their home town.
 

We have had approximately 75 volunteers for the Metro-Jackson ‘Women Build’ so far, and the number will be over 100 by the time the two houses in Jackson are built. This does not count the ladies that have provided lunch or will be providing lunches. The dedication for our federation house will be in the fall, and I will let everyone know the date when it is set.   We are still hoping to build the house on the coast this fall, but the date has not been set and will be announced when we have the date.
 

I would like to thank everyone who has worked or provided lunches for the Metro-Jackson Habitat.  The work is hard and hot when you are working out side either with a hammer or serving the lunches.  I would also like to thank you for the many, generous contributions of household items that were made at Summer Institute.  I know that, for years to come, our homeowners will use and enjoy all that the members of MFWC have provided. I can not tell you how much President Judy Martin and I appreciate all that you have done and will do in the future for Habitat.

Written by: Gloria J. Washington &   Sharman Bridges Smith

with the  Mississippi Library Commission

August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina destroyed the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Among the many casualties of the storm were public libraries, with eleven severely damaged or lost. At the same time, public libraries throughout the state became lifelines for residents and evacuees as they sought news, information, comfort, and solace.

Community — Just days after Katrina devastated Hancock County, the Kiln Public Library, with roof and window damage, reopened to the public. As an early responder, the library not only provided traditional library services, but also became the county’s Volunteer Coordination Center — volunteers from across the world poured in to assist in rescue, recovery, and cleanup, they registered at the Kiln Library. At the same time, residents sought out the library for help. More than 50,000 volunteer hours were logged. In addition, the library provided the public with access to satellite-based telephone and Internet services. Well-water sample kits from the Department of Health were available as was sign-up for “blue tarp” roofs.  Even though badly damaged, the Bay St. Louis Library served as the distribution center of more than 6400 food cards by the Department of Human Services. Even with the Waveland and Pearlington branches lost, Hancock County libraries were early responders providing essential services to their communities. Still today, these libraries continue to play a vital role in recovery efforts.
Refuge — The compassion and ingenuity exhibited by library staffs proved that libraries are more than storehouses of books. In fact, libraries are places of refuge, both literally and figuratively. Pass Christian police officers found the library to literally be a refuge when the storm surge overtook the police station and the chief and twelve officers moved to the library. When water began to rise in the library, the officers attempted to shoot their way out only to be deterred by the hurricane-rated windows. Ultimately, the officers were washed out of the building and survived the storm on the roof of
the library.

The first day back after the storm, Pearl River County Library staff were busy pulling plastic sheeting from the shelves when someone noticed an elderly man sitting on the library loading dock. Staff learned that trees had fallen on his house leaving only the porch roof for shelter. After being without food or water for two days, the man had decided to walk the several miles into town, stopping to rest at the library. When brought into the library,  he took a deep breath and said, “Ma’am is that coffee I smell?” He was given that coffee and food and then taken to a shelter by a library staff member.
 

A man came into a library needing help with his FEMA application. A librarian got him through the entire online process and assisted with his insurance claim as well. The man then began to cry. His wife had recently passed away, his pet had died as a result of the storm, and he lost all of his possessions. When the librarian asked how she could help, the man said, “I just need a hug.”   She promptly gave him one, as did the rest of the staff.

Escape— Libraries and books are places to lose yourself, to travel the world without leaving your seat. They are places where a person can escape their worries and concerns, at least momentarily. The Jackson/Hinds Library System offered such a place to evacuee children at the Mississippi Coliseum. Several times a week for an hour at a time, in the midst of all that was happening; the children could set aside their circumstances and escape through stories and story times.
 

For many weeks following Katrina, public libraries were the only source of Internet access. Large numbers of evacuees came to the library to use the computers to complete forms and applications and search for word on loved ones. Many came just to talk to someone. One Picayune library staffer put it this way. “I went home every night and cried, but came back every day to be that someone.”

Normalcy— A corporate slogan says, “We are here when you need us and where you need us.”   The same can certainly be said for public libraries. Hurricane Katrina devastated the Long

Beach Public Library. The building was heavily damaged and contents were destroyed. Committed to restoring service as quickly as possible, the library relocated to a donated trailer with the help of a Florida library and Sirsi/Dynix, a library automation vendor. Limited services are now available to the community. A library user came into the temporary facility for the first time and burst into tears. Staff thought she was missing the library building. She exclaimed, “No, you don’t understand; this is the first time I have felt normal since the storm. Everything has been so mixed up, but this feels normal, and I know now that I’m going to make it.”