FROM THE DESK OF THE PRESIDENT



Dear Members and Friends,

Springtime Brings New Growth!

Spring is the perfect season to grow your membership or invite someone new to a club event! There’s a certain magic in the changing of the seasons—a chance to witness nature’s wonders as daffodils bloom, days grow longer, and the world around us becomes brighter and greener. With the Vernal Equinox arriving on March 20th, we officially welcome the start of spring!

With reporting behind us, our focus now turns to gathering for the California Federation of Women’s Clubs 122nd Annual Convention. This is a time to celebrate the achievements of our members, clubs, and districts. Mark your calendars and start planning to join your Sisters in Federation at the Holiday Inn San Jose-Silicon Valley from May 15-17, 2025.

The convention will feature a Chairman’s Faire, informative workshops, area meetings, officer and chairman reports, and awards presentations, all designed to provide valuable insights and connections you can bring back to your members. This year also offers a special opportunity to meet and learn from GFWC President-Elect Wendy Carriker. Make plans to attend and experience the joys of Federation firsthand—we look forward to seeing you there!

Yours in Federation and Love,

Sonya

EDUCATION AND LIBRARIES - KAY MASONBRINK, Chair

Not Too Late to Sponsor A HOBY Student

The Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership (HOBY) program is a volunteer-run organization that exists to motivate and empower individuals by focusing on leadership development, service, and innovation. The program selects high school sophomores to participate in a 3–4-day seminar held in the summer. In California, we have four seminar sites hosting in June 2025 including north, central, LA and south. 

Your club still has time to sponsor one or more students from your community to attend this powerful educational program. You would provide him/her with an experience they will never forget. Details are on their web site www.hoby.org or phone them at 818-851-3980. GFWC along with our CFWC clubs have a strong national partnership affiliation with HOBY Youth Leadership. Our California students have years of positive experience with this program, especially through our clubs’ generous funding. Encourage your club members to sponsor a student this year to make an impact in their educational journey.

PARLIAMENTARIAN - CHRIS HERZOG

We have two important committees to organize at the CFWC Convention:

  The Election Committee and the Nominating Committee.

These committees are outlined in the CFWC bylaws (pgs. 23, 24) to find competent future leaders and ensure that the election process goes smoothly. Your participation is needed.

•   The Committee members are elected by delegates at their area meetings in the non-election year at CFWC Convention (2025).

•   Candidates will attend their convention area meeting to be presented by their District President. Please Bring 3 copies of all your contact information for the Area Vice President and chairman records.

•   One member and two alternates (12) shall be elected for a one-year term.

•   Members shall not be elected to the same committee for two consecutive terms.

•   They shall be a current member of a Federated club and attend the convention.

•   No member of the Executive Board shall serve on these committees.

•   Candidates for these committees must have been nominated or endorsed at their District Convention.

•   There may be nominations from the floor, with written qualifications.

Candidates for the Nominating Committee shall have served one or more terms on the CFWC Executive Board.

Note: Immediately following the area meetings, the newly elected nominating committee, and the appointed chairman, will meet with the CFWC Parliamentarian for orientation (location tba).

Candidates for the Election Committee may be a member at large, or a past member of the CFWC Executive Board. The newly elected Election Committee will be notified by the Committee Chairman later in the year for orientation. 

Serving on the Election Committee qualifies you to be a member of the CFWC Executive Board and allows for future CFWC service.

NOMINATING COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN - LINDA KOONTZ, Chair

A friendly reminder: This should be the time you are endorsing your candidate to run for the Nominating Committee. Please remember your candidate should have served on the CFWC Executive Board in order to serve on this committee. Election for this committee will be held at our Area meetings at our upcoming State Convention. District Presidents, please come prepared to present your nominee’s qualifications for this committee. Following our Area meetings Parliamentarian, Chris Herzog, will be meeting with our Committee.

Any questions please don’t hesitate to call me 909-720-8550.

CIVIC ENGAGEMENT AND OUTREACH - ANNE COCHRANE, Chair

This is from one our dearest friends who lost their home in the Alta Dena fire : 03/12/2025 Update: We are moving to our more permanent temporary accommodations this weekend. The Army Corps of Engineers is on our block and working on Phase 2 debris removal. During a conversation we were told on average they can clear 2 lots a day - we witnessed several before and after cleanup efforts they are moving along at a pretty decent pace!   As a reminder, We are still feeling touched by the communities who lost everything.

I AM VERY GRATEFUL FOR THE ARMY CORPS.!!

ENVIRONMENT, NANCY B. JONES - Chair

Did you celebrate World Wildlife Day on Monday March 3rd? Kati Mendoza (Woman’s Club of Vista) did! “I took my 3 year old son Charlie to the San Diego Zoo. We spent most of the day looking at the reptile and bug exhibits. Charlie decided to do our write up on the Madagascar Hissing Cockroach. One of the biggest cockroaches I have ever seen! They are 2-4 inches in length. The Madagascar Hissing Cockroach is named for a defensive hissing sound which it creates by expelling air through its body to scare away predators. The sound is similar to when you quickly force air out of your nose. The Zoo takes care of these big bugs by keeping them in a humid environment with lots of good hiding spots. They eat dried fruits and vegetables. United Nations World Wildlife Day (WWD) is celebrated every year on March 3rd to celebrate wild animals and plants. Every year, we recognize the unique roles and contributions of wildlife to people and the planet. The Madagascar Hissing Cockroach is certainly a unique creature worth celebrating.” Thanks for sharing, Kati and Charlie!

CELEBRATION OF LIFE at CONVENTION



The Call to Convention included a reminder to submit names of Members who have served on the Executive Board to notify Debbie Pietraszko (debpie74@yahoo.com) so that they may be included in the Celebrtation of Life Ceremony being held at the Convention. Include those who have passed away since May 2024.

Please send not only the name but also a picture, if possible, along with what position they had at the CFWC Executive Board (for example, elected State Officer, State Chair, District President, District Dean). Any Member who has served on the CFWC Executive Board will be remembered, regardless of how long ago it was.

If you have any questions, please contact Debbie Pietraszko (debpie74@yahoo.com). Please send by April 15.

Just a thought ......

"“A good friend is like a four leaf clover — hard to find, lucky to have.”

—Irish proverb