EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE CORNER

As the 2026-2028 CFWC Director of Membership, I want us to look at membership through a different lens. Our clubs are, in many ways, small businesses. The same strategies that successful businesses use to attract, engage and retain customers can also help our clubs attract, engage and retain members.

Apple is a Recruitment genius. It doesn’t simply sell products, it sells identity and aspiration, and people line up because they want to be part of the brand.  Starbucks may be the best Retention business in the world, with their reward app and exclusive membership benefits. A perfect example of Rooting is Nordstrom who does not just create repeat customers, they create customers who refuse to shop elsewhere. Their customer service builds trust and emotional attachments and their customers become loyal advocates. Sephora’s Beauty Insider program is often cited as one of the best tiered Recognition systems.

I am hoping that we can learn from these marketing strategies and customize them to fit our districts and clubs. The Membership Team’s theme Serve with Heart - CFWC Membership Bistro uses a restaurant model to demonstrate how these principles can help us Recruit, Retain, Root and Recognize members in our own unique way. Because every successful restaurant knows that attracting a first-time diner is only the beginning. The true measure of success is whether the diner enjoys the experience, returns, becomes a regular and recommends the restaurant to others. Membership works the same way. Our goal is not simply to gain members. Our goal is to create members who belong, participate, lead and invite others to join us at the table.

I invite you to join us at the July 24-25 CFWC Summer Board Meeting in Bakersfield, where membership will take center stage. On July 24, our workshops will focus on District Membership, a role with unique responsibilities and opportunities. On July 25, the focus will shift to Club Membership, and all Club Membership Chairs are personally invited to attend.  I hope to see you there.

Your Sister in Federation, Mickie Reed

cfwcmembership@gmail.com

LEADERSHIP/L.E.A.D.S. - MARTHA PRITCHARD. Chair

“Grow, Lead, and Let Your Sparkle Shine!”

Good morning, everyone. My name is Martha Pritchard from Mira Mesa Women’s Club in Southern District.

I am honored to serve as your Leadership/Leads for 2026-2028. I would like to thank Vickie for the wonderful job she has done. I truly appreciate her encouragement, guidance, and the support she has given me as I step into this position.

I must admit this is a step outside of my comfort zone, but I am excited for the journey ahead. I look forward to working with all our District Leadership Chairmen, as well as every member who is interested in developing Leadership skills. Together we will learn, grow, share new ideas, strengthen our Clubs and Districts, and build friendships that will last a lifetime.

My hope is that we will all continue to grow, inspire one another, and let our sparkle shine through Leadership!

In Federation, Martha Pritchard

MEMBERSHIP IDEAS

Encourage clubs to host a Summer Social and take a group trip to one of our historic park sites and add a picnic lunch. California State Parks are offering a free Historian Pass that covers 52 state historic parks (not all 280 parks), featuring the sites focused on cultural, political and social history from Gold Rush landmarks to civil rights sites.  https://www.parks.ca.gov/

This pass usually costs $50, but is free through July 6th. The pass is good from June 19th through the end of the year. It allows entry for up to four people.  

I wanted to share because 1) Learning about history is super cool, 2) Summer vacations or even day trips could include these sites and 3) You might be able to make a project out of it.  

Here is the link to sign up. Just scroll down and you will see it. 

https://www.parks.ca.gov/

You can also get free Day Passes at your public library. Here is that link.

https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=30806--

Let's visit these amazing California Historic Parks!

EPSILON SIGMA OMICRON - SHIRLEY LORRAINE, Chair

ESO News – Reading is Magic

Participating in ESO (Epsilon Sigma Omicron) yet? The new administration has barely begun and already I’ve received four submissions for level advancement! Those certificates will go out very soon. Congratulations Britt Rucker of Vista (Palomar District) for reaching Member level and being the very first submission of the new term; Mary Harrison of San Buenaventura (TAD) attained Star level; Teri Glazier of Moorpark Women’s Fortnightly (TAD) also reached Star level, and I completed Century #7 (yay me!) (TAD)

Congratulations to Moorpark Women’s Fortnightly Club who submitted 14 new pledges! Way to go!!

For those who haven’t pledged to begin the program (readers – you know who you are) – let’s get started! For a quick review of the program, log in to You Tube – California Federation of Women’s Clubs. There you will find a one-hour video presentation on ESO by yours truly. While more categories have been added since filming in 2021, the process remains the same, Share the video with your club or book group. The answers to your questions are there. Current forms and ESO brochure are all on the cfwc.org website for your printing pleasure. So, what are you waiting for? Make your reading count over the summer months.

See you in July in Bakersfield. Book exchange will be happening! Contact me anytime. My email address is slgumby@msn.com

GFWC CALIFORNIA CLUBWOMAN - JUDY YOAKUM, Editor

Have you read the June Issue of GFWC California Clubwoman Magazine?  

Click on the link below and see what other clubs and districts are up to and

read the articles written for your enjoyment.

https://www.cfwc.org/wp-content/uploads/JUNE-2026-CLUBWOMAN-MAGAZINE.pdf

LEGISLATION & PUBLIC POLICY - KATHY HOLM, Chair

The Legislative Action Center (LAC) has called members to take action on the Kids Online Safety Act and the GUARD Act.  If you haven’t registered with the LAC, please do now, and respond as soon as possible.

The Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA, S. 1748) has been introduced by Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and is cosponsored by 3/4 of the Senate. The bill is pending in the Senate Commerce Committee. The measure establishes a legally relevant “duty of care” for social media companies, requiring platforms to alter design features such as algorithms that harm children. The bill is written to especially protect marginalized and vulnerable children from rampant online harms like child sexual exploitation, romantic fantasies, illicit drugs, suicide instruction, harassment, eating disorder content, and more.

The bipartisan Guidelines for User Age-Verification and Responsible Dialogue Act (GUARD Act, H.R. 8623, S. 3062) is a measured, necessary step to ensure innovation does not come at the expense of children’s safety. The Senate bill has been reported out of Senate Judiciary Committee by a unanimous vote and is pending floor action. The GUARD Act establishes guardrails by requiring verifiable age checks before access to AI chatbots and prohibiting minors from using AI companions that simulate emotional or romantic attachment. The bill makes it unlawful to design or distribute AI systems that solicit sexual content from minors or promote violence or self-harm. The bill also mandates clear disclosure, so users know they are engaging with a machine – not a real person or professional.

Just a thought ......

"Today is your opportunity to build the tomorrow you want."

--Ken Poirot