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. Two hundred thousand 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.
GFWC of Massachusetts is organized into districts, with one governing State Board comprised of Officers. GFWC of MA 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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GFWC Updates
Fall is here and the activities are increasing. Isn't it more fun when we are busy? No one can ever say that GFWC members sit and wait for changes to happen. They are the movers and shakers of their communities and our club is no exception.
Here are a few meeting dates to keep in mind:
October 25th - Massachusetts Junior Membership Fall Conference, Marlboro
(It's not too late to sign up. The deadline is 10/15/08) This is "Make a Difference Day" There is lots of work to do at the Boys and Girls Club. It's a great opportunity to share ideas with other Junior Club women and work side by side helping someone less fortunate.
November 1st - GFWC of MA Fall Meeting at Benjamin in Taunt.
Mary Ann Pierce is collecting the following items for the Junior Conference :
Preschool children's books to be donated to the daycare program at the Y in Marlboro. Also looking for donations to the "Fall....It's Delicious Basket". This is donated to the raffle for the Junior Director's Travel Fund. (Thank you to those who have donated soups, candy, sauces and fun dishes and towels....) We need lots more to fill the basket. I have a box on my front porch for books and basket goodies. Also you can bring any donations to our NWC fall meeting.
Don't forget to work on filling your Unified Boxes. We have all of October. The money from these boxes will benefit the Prevention of HIV-Aids Mother to Child Transmission Project.
Thank you for all you do to help. Mary Ann
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