FROM THE DESK OF THE PRESIDENT

Dear Members and Friends,



The GFWC California Federation of Women’s Clubs will soon be coming together to celebrate the 123rd Annual Convention at the Ontario Airport Hotel and Conference Center in Ontario on May 14-16, 2026. The theme for the convention, “Ignite The Magic of Federation” highlights our strength in supporting members as they make a positive impact in their communities while balancing unity and diversity.

Members from throughout California have chosen to step forward into leadership and reach out for positions on all levels of our Federation. Stepping into leadership is rarely a single, dramatic moment—it is usually a quiet crossing of an invisible line. One day you’re contributing, supporting, and participating and the next, you become aware that others are looking to you for guidance, direction, and vision. This shift—if subtle but also powerful—and you realize that you are headed for leadership.

Leadership is less about having a title and more about making up your mind to move forward from thinking what can I do to help what needs to be done, to thinking of ways that I can help others to accomplish their goals to make a difference. As this shift occurs you take responsibility for working for the success of a group and help set the tone for progress.

Even the most experienced leaders remember moments of doubt. Am I ready? Do I have enough skills to move forward? In reality, leadership does not require perfection. It requires willingness to listen, learn, and to lead with integrity. We respond not to a flawless leader, but to authentic ones.

Leadership is the ability to see beyond the present moment…to have a vision. Leaders recognize potential in people and possibilities in challenges, and they help others see it too. This is where leadership becomes transformative and the realization that leaders do not stand above others but they strive to lift others up. 

I hope that you will step forward into leadership so you can bring others with you. Realize that your voice, perspective, and commitment matter and move forward to build something meaningful. Being a leader is a continuous journey of growth, service, and impact—are you ready to take the first step?

In Federation and Love,

Sonya

CONVENTION INFORMATION - KATHI McGRAW, Co-Chair

CFWC CONVENTION    May 14-16, 2026

Ontario Airport Hotel & Conference Center

Now is the time to get ready for the up-coming Convention. Make sure that you bring a copy of the Call to Convention with the proposed bylaws and resolutions. It is important that you are an informed delegate for your club.

We are honored to have the GFWC First Vice President, Jolie Frankfurth, as our guest for this convention. Jolie is an accomplished clubwoman. She will be leading 2 workshops. The one Friday morning is “The Importance of Planning for the Future – Tools to build Leadership from within” and the one on Saturday morning is “When is a Picture worth 1000 words? Using social media to gain attention.” Jolie will also be our main speaker at the Friday night banquet.

Also on Friday night will be “The Blacksmith Boys”. They are a western old timey band that enjoys music AND they are blacksmiths.

***IMPORTANT: If you know Genevieve Rigall, please have her contact me (kathi_mcgraw@yahoo.com). We need to connect her Zelle payment with the meals.

CONVENTION UPDATES

There are two updates to the Convention information. A new Call to Convention will not come out, and the changes in this QuickBytes issue will NOT be reflected in the Convention Program. Please make note of these changes. (This is a change from what was in the April 25 Special Edition)

Under CFWC OFFICER CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS

Area C VP Candidate Betty Paravato had to withdraw for health reasons. The Nominating Committee has submitted the following for Area C VP: Marcia Willett. Her picture and her candidate statement is attached. WILLETT

ADDITIONAL PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE CFWC BYLAWS

There are two additional proposed amendments.

Amendment #11 Article VI – OFFICERS AND DUTIES and

Amendment #12 Article XIV – NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS

Both of these proposed amendments should be reviewed before the convention. They can be found here AMENDMENTS

ART & CULTURE - KELLY DAVIS, Chair

How Important is Imagination? 

Imagination is critically important-even more then knowledge, as Einstein suggested-because it drives innovation, empathy and problem-solving. It is a fundamental human cognitive process that allow individuals to look beyond current reality, envision better futures, and rewire brain connection for creativity, mental health, and resilience. 

Project Title: Thinking Up Thinks HR: 33 Donated $700  

Dr. Seuss tells us to: “Think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh, the thinks you can think up if only you try.” Likely he is advising us how important it is to use our imaginations, as in our writing because writing is an essential job skill and how one’s work is judged in school and the workplace, it is our responsibility to encourage children to be good writers and utilize their imagination. Which is why the Hemet Woman’s Club members considered their annual Youth Writing Contest a priority for our community. 

Cash prizes were awarded of $100 for first place, $50 for second place and $25 for third place for each grade level for both the poetry and short stories. Each winning student was given a cash envelope along with a beautiful certificate of recognition. 

--Chairman: Diane Melin 3rd Vice President and ESO Chairman

ENVIRONMENT - NANCY B. JONES, Chair

The Children’s Garden “Living Classroom” Hours: 75

The Covina Woman’s Club donated $120 to a local school to launch a sustainable Children’s Garden project. This “living classroom” provides 14 Transitional Kindergarten students with hands-on experience in urban gardening using club-funded supplies, including seeds, tools, and safety gear. Members directly assisted with planting and curated specialized education materials for the curriculum. More than a one-time donation, the club established a foundation for ongoing environmental stewardship and long-term learning. 

CIVIC ENGAGEMENT & OUTREACH - ANNE COCHRAN, Chair

May starts at the end of the week. May is the month to honor our veterans with the POPPY. This all started as the buddies poppies. American Legion Auxiliary adopted this program and started distributing these buddy poppies in 1924 and will be sending out envelopes soon for all to help support our veterans with a donation for the POPPY. All your donations go straight to the veterans, no admin fees etc. Please support your local American Legion or VFW with donation of the poppy and know you are helping out a veteran.

Just a thought ......

"Be sure you put your feet in the right place, then stand firm."

--Abraham Lincoln