CFWC QuickBytes

June 22, 2026

THE PRESIDENT'S PERSPECTIVE

Character—It’s What Matters Most

What is your definition of a real leader? For decades, that question has been explored by podcasts, investment magazines, nonprofit leaders, and GFWC. While the answers vary, the strongest responses often share a winning combination: caring about something greater than oneself, doing the work necessary to achieve a positive outcome for the greater good, and building growth that is financially sustainable and scalable.

“Character, in the long run, is the decisive factor in the life of an individual and of nations alike.” —Theodore Roosevelt

For any organization to thrive, it must cultivate informed members and invest in leaders with the character, commitment, and vision to serve well over time.

The CFWC LEADS program offered in February provides excellent training for members who are ready to grow into long-term leadership. July and August are the ideal months to begin promoting the program and encouraging members to apply through their districts for consideration. Year after year, cultivating these leadership candidates continues to prove successful.

Learning how to recognize true leadership matters to all of us. It shapes whom we choose to work with, hire, support, and trust to represent us in our organizations, communities, and government.

A polished speaker may shine in a short presentation, but true leadership must stand up to closer examination. We are reminded of the old saying: if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Before placing our trust in someone, we should ask: Do I trust this person? What does this person’s history tell me? Has this person succeeded in something comparable? What is this person’s reputation? Would I be proud to work with—or be represented by—this person?

So, what is your definition of a real leader? Give that question thoughtful consideration. Your answer can become a guiding light as you select leaders for your club and district—and as you lead in your own life.

Continue to be useful, be loving, be federated. Chris

LEGISLATION & PUBLIC POLICY - KATHY HOLM, Chair

The Project below was awarded the #3 Top State Project and the Creativity Award sent to the GFWC. It also was awarded a club award as a medium club at the State Convention in Ontario. Congratulations, Beaumont Woman’s Club!

Beautmont Woman’s Club (CA) – “Being a Voice for the Voiceless”

Members of the Beaumont’s Women’s Club undertook a letter-writing and public awareness campaign to advocate for the creation of a dedicated animal shelter serving the San Gorgonio Pass area. This project was developed in response to an urgent community need and reflects the Club’s commitment to civic engagement, humane responsibility, and effective public advocacy. Club members wrote postcards and letters urging elected officials to prioritize the development of a local animal shelter. The correspondence emphasized public safety concerns, the strain placed on law enforcement and volunteers, and the need for a long-term regional solution to animal welfare in the rapidly growing Pass communities. By directly engaging with decision-makers, members exercised their voices as informed citizens advocating for responsible public policy. The club intends to continue this campaign until a dedicated animal shelter is present in their San Gorgonio Pass community.