FROM THE DESK OF THE PRESIDENT

Dear Members and Friends,

As we approach the New Year, it is important to reflect on our mission and goals, especially our commitment to improving the lives of others through volunteering. I encourage you to share the work you have been doing to make a difference in your communities with other non-profit organizations and local City Councils. Partnering with other organizations on projects can amplify their impact, creating even greater positive changes.

Remember that by providing essential services, fostering community relationships, organizing events, promoting local businesses, and offering volunteer opportunities, your efforts are making a real difference. We have the opportunity every day to support the lives of others, and I urge you to “Ignite your volunteer spirits” as we move forward into 2025.

When we help others, we not only create a sense of belonging, but we also enhance our own self-esteem, providing us with a sense of purpose and direction. I truly believe that we receive far more than we give.

Get involved in 2025!

In Federation and Love,

Sonya

FEBRUARY STATE BOARD MEETING – TOBY KAHAN, Meeting Planner

Your registration for the February State Board meeting is coming due on January 10th. Our hotel room block is filling up fast. So please make your hotel reservations by the deadline of January 4th to assure availability and room rate. Also please send your registration to Tami Miller before January 10th. Don’t miss out. This State Board meeting is geared to Leadership.  

LEADERSHIP - VICK HOLDEN, Chair

L E A D S    Deadline is fast approaching!

We hope that each district will be sending a candidate to our LEADS 2025 Seminar at the next CFWC Board Meeting.  From this group, we will select our delegate to the GFWC LEADS program at the International Convention this next summer.

Applications and instructions are found on the CFWC website under "Form". We’re last on the list so it’s easy to find.

ABSOLUTE  Deadline is January 15, 2025, emailed to cfwcleadership@gmail.com. If you have Questions, call or text Vicki at 562-305-5759 or email at the cfwcleadership email address.

Looking forward to hearing from all of you.

PS   Have a wonderful holiday season with family and friends!

ART AND CULTURE - KELLY DAVIS, Chair

The culture of California encompasses various social norms, traditions and culture in California, including literature, music, visual arts, performing arts, food, sports, religion, law, alongside other beliefs and culture expressions. California culture has been shaped by the history of California, its geography, and various other internal and external factors.

California culture is intimately connected to the larger culture of the United States, as well as the culture of Mexico and Spain, which both ruled California prior to its becoming a part of the United States following the American conquest of California.

California is considered an international gateway to the United States and has been heavily influenced by immigration with the various cultures of Asia and Latin America having left their mark on California cultural landscape.

ENVIRONMENT - NANCY B. JONES, Chair

This week’s Sustainability habit suggests using coffee grinds in your compost to improve your soil. Maureen Foster Davis (Baldwin Park Woman's Club) shared, “I started to compost about ten years ago. My soil is so sandy. I reworked my garden to drought tolerant and never looked back. I pretty much compost everything including lawn and garden greens but I add coffee grinds to my end product as that seems to be the best place for them.” Ask at your favorite coffee spot if they make their coffee grinds available for composting. Your compost is a natural soil improvement; organic gardening produces the best results. Avoid chemical fertilizers that degrade your soil and can reach groundwater; the chemicals can linger in the environment and damage our health.

Be sure to share YOUR sustainability habit with farmerjonesavbg@gmail.com.

Best wishes for Happy Holidays and a successful, calm, busy New Year!

CFWC 2025 CLUB WEBSITE CONTEST - ELLEN COATS, Chair

Does your club have a great website? Want to take part in the CFWC 2025 Club Website Contest?

For rules and more info, see https://www.cfwc.org/wp-content/uploads/CFWC-WebsiteContestRules-2025.pdf. The deadline for entries is MARCH 15, 2025.

Certificates will be awarded at the 2025 CFWC Annual Convention to one club in each membership category (small, medium, intermediate, large) to recognize outstanding achievement in website implementation.

Questions? Contact Ellen Coats, CFWC Website Administrator / ellen111@sbcglobal.net.

NOTE: Clubs wishing to also enter the GFWC Website Contest must submit a separate entry directly to GFWC. Visit gfwc.org for details.

Just a thought ......

“Kindness, like a boomerang, always returns.”

—Author Unknown