CFWC QuickBytes

July 14, 2025

FROM THE DESK OF THE PRESIDENT

Dear Members and Friends,

There is a common misconception that leadership is an innate gift—that leaders are born, not made. But the truth is, leadership isn’t about a title or role – it’s a responsibility. A true leader does what needs to be done, on time, and with purpose. Leadership is about making the right things happen by bringing out the best in others, and this is where the magic begins.

Leadership instills trust, motivation, and emotional connection – the kind that resonates with people and ignites a spark and keeps on shinning. Our members are reflective of our Federation and continue to prove that “Strength United in Stronger” and reminds us of what we can achieve when we work together. My motto, “Ignite Your Volunteer Spirit” encourages members to get excited about making a difference and lighting that “spark” to make a difference in their communities and beyond.

Sharing your story – why you joined your club, what you’ve experienced, and how you’ve grown, is a simple but powerful way to create connections. Your stories are how we inspire others to get involved. When you share your passion and appreciation for fellow members you create bonds that keep your club thriving.

Leadership holds a certain magic – the ability to model professionalism, to act with fairness, honesty, cooperation, courage, and compassion. These values build trust –and that trust becomes the foundation for achieving dreams others never thought possible.

When asked to step up to a leadership position, please say “yes” as it is an opportunity you’ll never regret.

Yours in Federation and Love, Sonya

CFWC AUGUST EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING - TOBY KAHAN, Meeting Planner

Ontario Airport Hotel & Conference Center

700 North Haven Avenue, Ontario, CA 91764

August 28 – 30, 2025

Hotel rooms are filling up fast in our block. Please make your reservation by using the link that's on our CFWC website or in last week's Quick Bytes. Once the block has expired, they will not give us the same rate. Contact Toby if you're having any problems getting your room reservation before the deadline.

Meal registrations should be mailed as soon as possible so we know our counts.

EDUCATION AND LIBRARIES - KAY MASONBRINK, Chair

Margaret Fuller, a prominent 19^th century literary woman, wrote: “If you have knowledge, let others light their candles in it.” By sharing information from other CFWC clubs, hopefully an idea will spark a flame for your club as you are planning for the upcoming year’s projects.

The Simi Valley Woman’s Club is a pro-active group of 13 members that accomplished big things for their community and was recognized by winning the 2024 Small Club Award for their submitted report. One of their projects involved getting school supplies donated. Using donation boxes, a partnership with a local department store and member donations, they managed to collect six truckloads of school supplies! They then distributed the items to local schools, Head Start, foster children, special needs children, as well as to teachers.

Another project that these ladies created is assisting Gigi’s Playhouse, an international Down Syndrome Achievement Center. When this center opened last year in their community, the club focused on the educational program for the Special Needs and Down Syndrome children. They continue each month by providing supplies, paper products, books, games, and other items needed.

With school re-starting again in another month or so, perhaps your club can support students by providing them with the tools they need to succeed in school. Either one of these projects can ease the financial burden on families, enhance the learning environment, and empower students to reach their full potential in your community. Here’s hoping you caught the light of their candle.

ENVIRONMENT - NANCY B. JONES, Chair

One of the focus points in the GFWC Club Manual for Environment suggests working with local parks: “Together, we can invest in refurbishing the signage of our parks. Clubs can update benches and water fountains and educate others on animals, plants, and the history of our outdoors.” That’s what Environment Chair Barbara Reynolds and the Ebell Club of Irvine, a small club, have accomplished over the last 18 years and continued in 2024 with their Botanical Signs project.

In 2006, the Ebell Club of Irvine began working with the Irvine Company and the City of Irvine to provide botanical signs along the newly opened Jeffrey Open Space Trail, a one-mile-long stretch of park running adjacent to Jeffrey Road. The park has a wide cement path for walking and riding bicycles, as well as a natural foot path meandering throughout the length of the park. This park/trail is now 3 miles long and is beautifully planted with grasses, shrubs, border plantings, and trees.

So for the last 18 years the Ebell Club of Irvine has worked with the park landscape manager to identify plants for signage and has collected funds for those additional signs. In 2024 the club added 8 new signs at a cost of $595 - paid for with in-kind donations - bringing the total installed botanical signs up to 97. Currently a foot/bike trail bridge is under construction to extend the Jeffrey Open Space Trail over the 5 freeway and the club looks forward to providing more botanical signs as the new section of the park is developed.

CIVIC ENGAGEMENT & OUTREACH - ANNE COCHRANE, Chair

In case your teens are bored this month, there is something they can do for their community. The 2025 Youth Congress in Sacramento on July 23rd is a great opportunity for young leaders to engage in civic discourse and shape the future. The City of Los Angeles also offers the EmpowerLA Youth Conference for youth aged 14-17.

We are always looking for the young people to get involved. This is their chance to make a difference.

ARTS AND CULTURE - KELLY DAVIS, Chair

Art produced purely for its aesthetic or intellectual appeal is generally considered fine art. Art with a utilitarian purpose is considered a craft or decorative art.

Painting is almost always considered fine art as it does not serve another purpose as a woven rug would. The Five fine arts are 1. Painting 2. Mosaics 3. Printmaking 4. Calligraphy and 5. Photography.

There are seven elements of art that are the basic building blocks used to create any artwork. These elements are line, shape, form, space, color, texture and value.

Woodland Hills Woman’s Club participated in the Fine Arts Festival, encouraging local schools to submit entries. The club also supports community theatre and young musicians. They celebrated local talent by supporting a young drummer, submitting his application for a state competition. Chairman: Ruth Ann Thompson.

The Woman’s Club of Vista supports local youth theatre through volunteering and donations, including a $750 gift to

Tierra Academy of Arts, which promotes Mexican Folkloric art in the community. Chairman: Liz Franciscus

LEGISLATION & PUBLIC POLICY - KATHY HOLM, Chair

Legislative Alert from GFWC:

I encourage those of you who have already registered on the Legislative Action Center, to go ahead and take action. I highly encourage members who haven’t registered yet to do it now! Just go to the gfwc.org website. Click on Advocacy, Get Involved, and the scroll down to Sign up for Alerts and fill out the contact information.

The Crime Victims Fund is essential to provide resources to victims of crime. Funding supports survivors of domestic violence, child abuse, sexual assault, human trafficking, and other crimes by providing counseling, case management, crisis hotlines, emergency shelters, and community-based programs.

GFWC supports the bipartisan Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act to provide a lifeline to survivors and help maintain their access to the most essential services. Please act NOW to urge Congress to approve this legislation!

Legislative Ladder Update:

The Laguna Niguel Woman’s Club was the ONLY club from California to submit a Legislative Ladder form to GFWC. The form is simple and easy to complete. With over 200 clubs in our state, we should be submitting more than one a year.

The Laguna Niguel Womam's Club submission is larger than we can send in QuickBytes. If you would like to see it, let either the editor or the State Chair know and we will send it to you in email.