FROM THE DESK OF THE PRESIDENT



Dear Members and Friends,

Every day offers us the opportunity to move forward in “Living the Volunteer Spirit”! However, have you spaced out these last few months? Like our astronauts it is time to get back down to earth and get things done. There are so many things we can do to improve our communities and our efforts are absolutely necessary!

The recent wildfires in Pacific Palisades and the Eaton Fire in Altadena fueled by severe drought conditions and strong winds were responsible for at least 29 deaths, thousands of homes, businesses, schools and other structures either burned to the ground of severely damaged. The response from our Sisters-in-Federation throughout California and throughout the United States to the California Federation of Women’s Clubs Disaster Relief Fund has been amazing. The GFWC State Presidents, Districts, Clubs, and individual members have sent donations to the Disaster Fund, many with heartfelt notes and letters of concern. It has been almost three months since the start of these fires and recovery is still ongoing. As we are still learning of those who have been affected by these fires, members are encouraged to contact CFWC if they were or know of members in need of assistance.

Remember it is up to us to be the driving force that makes a difference in the lives of others! Don’t wait until tomorrow, as sometimes it never comes. 

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. It is time to make your hotel reservation if you want to receive the group rate of $129 + per night. After April 15th the rates will go up. Please make sure that you use the booking link found in the Call to Convention (which can be found on cfwc.org). If you have any trouble with the hotel please call Mary Sprague, 714-637-2879 or email MLSprague@sbcglobal.net.

Thursday night we will have Crooner Ed as our entertainment. His show is a highly interactive, captivating journey of music, video and entertainment. The audience is part of the show of lively swing and romantic love songs. 

We are looking for donations of $25 or more gift cards for our gift card drawings. We ask that these gift cards are usable throughout California since we have members both in the North and South. This is a great way for clubs to help support the convention. Please send the gift cards to Kathi McGraw, 4584 Sherington Court, Cypress, 90630.

The dates on the CFWC Registration Form are incorrect. The correct dates are May 15-17, 2025.

EDUCATION AND LIBRARIES - KAY MASONBRINK, Chair

IMPORTANT DATE TO MARK ON YOUR CALENDAR!

Thursday, April 10 is National Encourage A Young Writer Day which was established to foster growth in young writers by giving them special attention on this day. It is important to motivate our California students to write as it is an essential skill for success in school and life. I have been on my soapbox to encourage clubs to sponsor youth writing contests in their communities using our GFWC/CFWC Writing Contest because it is a vehicle that is in place and easy to do. 

Here are a few other suggestions you can do to encourage our young people to write. 

1.   Gift a journal to a young writer on this special day so they can jot down their ideas and inspirations when it strikes them.

2.   Offer to help them with resources, research work and other materials. Suggestions are gifting them Becoming: A Guided Journal for Discovering Your Voice by Michelle Obama or Just write: Here’s How by Walter Dean Myers. Both of these highly rated books are available for reasonable prices on Amazon.

3.    Most children are storytellers and their imaginations and creativity allow them to create remarkable stories. Take time to talk to a young person about their ideas and dreams and encourage them to write about them. 

With the recent political upheaval surrounding education, it is a critical time for our Women’s Clubs to encourage our California students to write to their hearts’ content. 

COMMUNITY IMPACT PROGRAM - JANE THOMEY, Chair

There is still time to develop a Community Impact Program before the contest ends on December 31, 2025. This longest standing GFWC program challenges clubs to develop projects at the grass roots level that make a visual, physical or emotional impact on your communities. It is intended to raise awareness of GFWC-CFWC volunteering and the impactful contributions made by clubwomen. 

The entries need not span the entire two-year contest period, and they can also be part of an ongoing Community Service project if they meet the criteria for the program. 

One CFWC club will be awarded the $100 state prize at the 2025 convention. The winner will compete for the $2500 Category prize that will be announced at the GFWC convention that will take place this coming June in Georgia.

Full details are available in the GFWC Club Manual or you may contact me at myaitane1@gmail.com for more information. 

CIVIC ENGAGEMENT AND OUTREACH - ANNE COCHRANE, Chair

As the end of March approaches, consider engaging in civic activities like participating in local elections, volunteering for community organizations, or attending town hall meetings to make your voice heard and contribute to your community. There is usually a monthly Town Hall meeting in which you can participate either in person or zoom.

Let’s make a great step into April with fascinating ideas and actions for our communities.

ENVIRONMENT, NANCY B. JONES - Chair

One element of GFWC Environment encourages involvement in gardens in your communities and bringing programs to club meetings. The Environment narrative for 2024 from Duarte Woman’s Club highlighted the work of a member who was in charge of a City Community Garden; the club hopes to find another plot of land for a Community Garden since the owners of the land decided to repurpose it. This member helps with a school garden and takes classes on being a Master Gardener. She gives classes at the LA County Fair and to the club; this year club members learned how to grow microgreens. She established a Monarch butterfly garden; they are becoming endangered since the butterflies only reproduce with milkweed present. So more members are putting in milkweed to help the butterflies. Teaching, sharing, encouraging awareness and getting involved with growing are all helping with sustainability and love for the Earth. 

How will your club celebrate the 55th Earth Day on April 22 this year to support environmental protection? Share your events with farmerjonesavbg@gmail.com

DOMESTIC & SEXUAL VIOLENCE AWARENESS & PREVENTION -

CATHIE PETITHOMME, Chair

Just a thought ......

"The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others."

--Mahatma Gandhi