FROM THE DESK OF THE PRESIDENT



Dear Members and Friends,

Like the swallows returning to Capistrano to flourish and build their communities, we as members of the California Federation should strive to grow our membership and increase participation within our organization.

Recently I had the pleasure of attending two exceptional fashions shows -- one at the Chula Vista Woman’s Club and another at the Elsinore Woman’s Club. The enthusiasm and dedication displayed by the members at every level of these events created wonderful opportunities to welcome new members. Attendees from all areas of the community came to support the clubs, and many expressed interest in joining after experiencing the warmth and camaraderie of the members.

Collaborating with other organizations can add a fresh dimension to your event. The Elsinore Woman’s Club exemplified this by partnering with Lake Elsinore Animal Friends, featuring four dogs in their “Picnic in the Park” themed fashion show. The dogs, dressed in charming jackets, feather boas, and adorable hats, pranced down the runway alongside their attendants, tails wagging with joy. As a heartwarming result, two dogs were adopted by event attendees.

The Chula Vista Woman’s Club hosted its 65th Annual Fashion Show, themed Hollywood Red Carpet Tribute. Member models paid homage to iconic movie characters, portraying roles from Cruella, Pretty Woman, Phantom of the Opera, Black Panther, Betty Boop, Wonder Woman, Wicked and a special tribute to Tina Turner. The club house was transformed into a glamorous red carper affair, with stunning gowns that captured the essence of each character. 

When you invite other organizations to participate in your events, the benefits extend to both groups. Collaborations provide exposure and create experiences that resonate with the community. Both of these fashion shows sold out almost immediately, demonstrating the excitement and support that such partnerships can generate.  Events like these not only celebrate creativity and community spirit but also serve as powerful membership-building opportunities.

Let’s continue to embrace these moments of connection and growth, ensuring our Federation flourishes – just like the returning swallows of Capistrano.



Yours in Federation and Love,

Sonya

CONVENTION - KATHI MCGRAW & MARY SPRAGUE, Chairs

The CFWC Convention will be May 15-17, 2025 at the Holiday Inn San Jose-Silicon Valley. Now is the time to plan to attend the convention. Gather your club members together and make plans to attend this event. For those club members living in the South,  Southwest airlines has been running specials on tickets so grab those airline tickets now. The room rate of $129 + taxes will end on April 15th. Do not wait until April 16th to plan your trip.

A popular event at Convention is the ESO Breakfast on Friday morning, April 16. The speaker for this event will be Linda Joy Myers. Linda has chosen to write novels about World War II. She learned about World War II through her grandmother, a passionate Anglophile who would rhapsodize about the unfairness of war. Together they watched stark black and white documentaries about the war when Linda Joy was thirteen, and later this led to a passion about history. Her first book was The Forger of Marseille, a highly rated Historical Fiction novel.

FACEBOOK - SONJA HULTS, Social Media Chair

CFWC Facebook is BACK! We are excited to introduce our new CFWC Nonprofit Facebook page.

FIND US HERE!

We are inviting club members to get involved. Are you a photographer? Do you like Canva and understand how to make powerful posts? Are you the one that does your club and district pages and would love to join a team of like minded club members doing the same thing? We are all here to learn and grow together, email socialmedia@cfwc.org with your qualifications, the team will contact you soon.

STORIES. PHOTOS...We need your stories and your photos. Send socialmedia@cfwc.org what your club and districts are doing. We need the following information. The Who, What, When, Where and Why. Make it like a small article, try to keep it to 100 words or less. Facebook is all about the stories. Include a contact email or telephone number so if there are questions the team can ask questions.

ART & CULTURE - KELLY DAVIS, Chair

How does art play a role in Culture? Art has been a significant part of many cultures for centuries. It has been used to express faith, emotions, personal histories and special occasions. It can be found in religious ceremonies,

Worldwide, and used to tell stories in ways that words cannot reach while also connecting humans to something greater.

How does art bring cultures together? Culture generates social capital and strengthens a community’s character. Art brings people together physically-at galleries, museums, performance spaces—and culturally through its capacity to tell a community’s shared story; to inspire reflection, and form connections that transcend differences.

As chair of Arts and Culture I would like to congratulate all of the clubs that participated in writing reports about all of their efforts for Art and Culture. I received 100 reports this year and was overwhelmed by the care and generosity of all the clubs that participated. Art and Culture is thriving in California.

CIVIC ENGAGEMENT AND OUTREACH - ANNE COCHRANE, Chair

"Spring into action! 🌸 Get involved in your community, make your voice

heard, and help shape a brighter future. Every small step counts! 🌱

Make this month count. Do your volunteering, mark down your hours and

totals so you have a Jump towards making reports easier.

ENVIRONMENT, NANCY B. JONES - Chair

Interview with Margaret Meyncke “A Force for Nature”

If we can inspire just one person to appreciate nature, then our day is complete.

Talking with Margaret Meyncke of De Anza District is a chance to learn about and promote nature. “I have been a member of the Temecula Valley Women’s Club in the DeAnza District for five years. My favorite nature experiences are tent camping, kayaking, hiking, biking, horseback riding, nature journaling, and swimming in the ocean. Nature is important to me as a source of joy. I appreciate the wind in the trees, the sunlight on water, the call of the birds, and the plants in a garden. It all fits together in my mind as my home.

"My district, DeAnza District, is promoting the Homegrown National Parks project, an attempt to reduce lawns and plant native plants instead. Native plants support biodiversity and sustain native insects, native birds, and pollinators. Each individual can plant native plants and get on the map! Together, we can make a difference.” Margaret works with Great Old Broads for Wilderness and the Temecula Valley Native Plant Network - check them out online. “Each of us has a responsibility to cultivate a love and appreciation for nature on a daily basis and do what you can. Plant native plants. Recycle. Don’t litter. Share your joy with others. Encourage others to do what they can.” Contact Margaret at m.meyncke@gmail.com     

DOMESTIC & SEXUAL VIOLENCE AWARENESS & PREVENTION -

CATHIE PETITHOMME, Chair

It is hard to believe but it is almost the end of another school year. Many graduating high school seniors will be going off to college in the fall. For many, this may be the first time they have ever been on their own. This can be a frightening and overwhelming time in their young lives. Unfortunately, when they arrive on their respective college campuses it can also be the most dangerous time of their lives. The period from August until Thanksgiving vacation is known as the Red Zone. The time when a majority of physical and sexual assaults occur on college campuses.

What can we do? CFWC has a Campus Safety brochure that can be copied and shared with high school students, parents of students as well as high school administrators. Now is the time to take action and share this valuable resource. Please make copies of this brochure and share with everyone that you know. It is one small thing that we as club women can do to help keep our community safe. And, please, remember this, girls and women are not the only ones susceptible to physical and sexual violence. Men and boys too, are victims. Please share this resource with them. Campus Safety Tri-Fold

CREATIVE WRITING AND PHOTOGRAPHY CONTESTS -

OLMA M. O'NEILL, Chair

olma.oneill@gmail.com

NEW MAILING ADDRESS: 1210 BELLEVUE AVE. #302, BURLINGAME CA 94010

We take pictures to capture moments in time that we can relive again and again. The GFWC Photography Contest is your opportunity to share those experiences with your fellow clubwomen.

PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST DEADLINE TO CFWC: Tuesday, April 15, 2025

DEADLINE (please note this is the deadlines for your District Chair to submit them to the State. YOUR DISTRICT DEADLINES WILL BE EARLIER. Please contact your district directly).

The PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST consists of two main categories (See Photography Contest guidelines for details and descriptions):

I. The World in Pictures

•     Our World Up Close

•     Natural Wonders

•     Reflections

II. GFWC Living the Volunteer Spirit

ALL ENTRIES MUST HAVE BEEN TAKEN/WRITTEN DURING THE CONTEST YEAR – January 1, 2024 – December 31, 2024.

NEW this year: Digital submissions are highly recommended. More information at https://www.cfwc.org/forms/

Just a thought ......

"“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better.

It's not."

—Dr. Seuss