FROM THE DESK OF THE PRESIDENT

Dear Members and Friends,

As we ignite our volunteer spirit this May, our hearts and hands turn toward the brave men and women who have worn our nation’s uniform. With May being National Military Appreciation Month, we have a sacred opportunity to transform our gratitude into action. From honoring military spouses this Friday, May 8, to preparing for a reverent Memorial Day, let us ensure that every veteran in our California communities feels supported, connected, and deeply respected. Together we can light a fire of advocacy and service that honors their enduring legacy of service.

There are so many ways our clubs can get involved locally. The Foundation for Women Warriors is a Southern California-based organization focused exclusively on the unique needs of women veterans, offering professional development and resiliency programs. Operation Gratitude is a California-based nonprofit that allows members to participate in hands-on volunteerism by putting together care packages for deployed troops, veterans, and first responders. The California Association of Veterans Service Agencies (CAVSA) is a consortium of non-profits from Eureka to San Diego that addresses critical issues like veteran homelessness and mental health.

GFWC/CFWC Clubwomen organize and attend community wide ceremonies to honor fallen veterans, often placing flags and flowers at gravesites. Memorial Day is a solemn day for remembering those who died in service of our country, rather than a celebration. Red poppies are worn on Memorial Day to remember all those who died fighting for our country throughout its history.

Thank you for your continued support of our military and for all you do to make a difference each and every day.

Yours in Federation and Love,

Sonya

PARLIAMENTARIAN - CHRIS HERZOG

Resolution vs. Motion

Resolutions are a long-standing and useful way for assemblies to present more complex proposals in written form. Many organizations rely on them for statements of philosophy or public policy (like GFWC/CFWC), while routine action items are handled as “new business”. Any distinction exists because of bylaw rules or past practice, not because of parliamentary procedure. Most organizations handle most matters through straightforward motions and reserve resolutions for special purposes, or ceremony. (RONR 12 Ed. 4:5)

If your bylaws call for a “Resolutions Committee” to be formed (CFWC Article XV Section 15.1), then it shall be formed by a specified number of members to review and discuss such resolutions submitted to determine if it is worthy of time and discussion by the assembly. Most times a committee review will help to make it clear to members, shortening the process for debate and adoption.

Because a resolution is simply a main motion, the same parliamentary rules apply to both. They can be debated, amended, referred to a committee, postponed, or adopted just like any other motion.

Many people are surprised to learn that the word “resolution” has no specific meaning in parliamentary procedure. At its core, a resolution and a main motion are the same thing. Both are proposals for the assembly to take action.

A typical motion might be introduced verbally: “I move that the organization support disaster relief funding.” A resolution states the same idea but in a more formal written structure, often beginning with language such as: “It is Resolved, that the organization support disaster relief funding.”

In short, whether resolutions are used for specific topics or for all business depends on the organization. From a parliamentary standpoint, however, a resolution is simply a main motion presented in greater formality with a “Resolved that” clause and some “Whereas” clauses for explanation.

ENVIRONMENT - NANCY B. JONES, Chair

Project: For the Love of Animals  Hours: 99  

The Women’s Improvement Club of Roseville cares about animals. Members of their SPCA Swarm each spent $20 at the SPCA Thrift Shop to support the care of animals and then enjoyed a pizza lunch. To help the new SPCA Veterinary Clinic save money, members donated over 250 empty medicine bottles; the clinic cleaned and used them for the animals’ meds. A member made a quilt for the SPCA raffle that was worth $1500. Members donated animal care items throughout the year: food and toys, animal traps, gifts for the SPCA Christmas Party, and cash donations from members and the Club. What can your club do to support domesticated and wild animals? 

CIVIC ENGAGEMENT & OUTREACH - ANNE COCHRAN, Chair

Spring is here and the VA is launching a campaign connecting veterans to apprenticeships, on-the-job training, and career opportunities in skilled trades. Let’s help them get to their destinations to reach their goals.

ART & CULTURE - KELLY DAVIS, Chair

How can Arts & Crafts explain your club?

Arts and Crafts to explain a club includes collaborative projects like custom T-Shirts, school murals, or mosaic posters that showcase the club theme. It allows members to express the club’s purpose through art, while creating tangible items to display or sell.

Club: GFWC SoCal Volunteers, Project: Coloring Book,

Chairman: Bryan Arredondo

Project: Coloring Book - Hrs 133 Donated $0.00 In Kind: $180

In 2025, the club created a coloring book to hand out at public events with crayons. The book highlights the Suffrage Movement, California Federation and local federation initiatives. Families and kids work together to learn more about Federation and our club while spending time coloring the pages. The club receives a lot of requests from families for the coloring book and in October of 2025 we added a new member welcome page and a Federation and You page so that the coloring book can be used for new members to learn about Federation as part of their onboarding.

Just a thought ......

"Nothing will work unless you do."

--Maya Angelou