General Federation of Women's Club - GFWC
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GFWC - A Federated Organization
The General Federation of Women's Clubs (GFWC) is the largest and oldest non-denominational, non-partisan international service organization in the world. GFWC embodies seven million members in forty-six countries, sixteen international federations and nineteen associate organizations. One-half million members in the U.S. comprise fifty-two State Federations, including the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico which encompasses eleven thousand clubs, of which more than seventeen hundred are Junior Clubs.
The purpose of GFWC is to unite women's clubs thereby enhancing community service efforts by volunteers throughout the country and the world. This is achieved by the following: transforming common concerns of public interest into projects and programs of action by club volunteers; by having club women take leadership roles; providing educational advantages for members, their children and their communities; promoting studies and participation in the Arts and encouraging young talent; and stressing the importance of family unity, citizenship, values and good health for all peoples.
The Mass. State Federation of Women's Clubs (MSFWC) follows the general structure of the GFWC and is organized into districts, with one governing State Board comprised of Officers. MSFWC has the following Departments: Arts, Conservation, Education, Home Life, International Affairs, and Public Affairs. Within the State Federation are three divisions: General Membership, Junior Membership and the Evening Division. General clubs are more closely aligned with the structure and interests of GFWC, while the Evening Division was formed for those women who had little time available during the day, but wished to participate in the GFWC activities.
The Junior Membership was originally open only to women under age thirty, and projects, though meeting State and GFWC goals and guidelines, were geared to the specific interests of young women at home raising families. Today, however, there is no age limit and the activities of the Junior Clubs appeal to both working women, working mothers and mothers home running their households. Meetings are usually all in the evening and social and volunteer activities are also at night or on the weekend when members can find time to be available.
Junior Club activities take advantage of the energy and enthusiasm of the membership, and usually demand active participation to achieve an immediate tangible result. Each club is free to implement projects appropriate to the interests and needs of its members and its community.
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Junior Membership 2008 Annual Conference
It's almost Spring and that means Junior Membership Annual Conference is here.
The GFWC Annual Conference will be held on April 26 at the Springfield Marriott.
To reserve an overnight room please call 413-781-7111, cost $119 +tax and parking is $13 a day. The lluncheon is $22 and dinner is $35. There is a $10 registration per attendee. Registration is 9-10am with the meeting beginning promptly at 10am.
Pajamas and children's books will be collected to donate to the Pajama program through the Springfield Housing Authority. Director Pam Wells will speak on the benefits of this program. There will also be a speaker from Soldier On who will a receive a check for their housing project from Our "Quarters for Quarters" Campaign. The Domestic Violence Banners will be on display as well.
Join us for lunch while we "Cheer" on our clubs wearing read, white and blue (casual). This is an Installation year, so "go west" and Juniors while we "kick up our heels and cheer" during the day or "step out under the stars" at night which is a more dressy affair. The awards and cheers will only be outdone by the fun and friendships you will make. Anyone interested in attending all or part of the day, please contact Eileen Orscheln or Kate Maguire.
Annual Meeting At Sea Crest
Another chance to gather with federation friends and meet your International President Jacqueline Pierce. This will be held at Sea Crest, Falmouth, Ma from May4-6. The Installation Of President-elect Mary Baird will be held at 11 with a luncheon to follow on May 6. Mary Ann Pierce will also be installed as the Second-Vice President of GFWC of Massachusetts at this time as well. Club members are invited. (Luncheon cost-$20) Contact Mary Ann Pierce if you are interested in attending mapgfwc@msn.com .
Please drop off children's pajamas/books to for Annual Conference to Mary Ann no later than April 22nd. Thank you! |
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