GFWC Indiana



center38354000GFWC INDIANA2018WINNERS AND WHY THEY WONPrepared for the April 2019 Convention GFWC SIGNATURE PROJECTDOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS AND PREVENTIONClubs (1-15 members)First Place: GFWC Lowell’s Woman’s ClubThe GFWC Lowell’s Woman’s Club completed 5 projects in the Domestic Violence Awareness category. At one meeting, they had a speaker from Fair Haven a rape crisis center. The club supported a team in Fair Haven’s Fundraiser Walk and $300 was donated. During October, members wore purple ribbons with their membership pins to raise awareness of domestic violence. Domestic Violence Hotline cards were purchased and places in various locations in the community. Items from the St. Jude’s Center for Women wish list were purchased and donated. The items were valued at $200. All members stay current with the GFWC petition alerts and sign petitions when necessary. $50 was donated to the GFWC Domestic Violence Survivor Scholarship.Second Place: GFWC Lincoln Club of Southern IndianaGFWC Lincoln Club of Southern Indiana donated $193 in personal care items such as shampoo, toothpaste, tooth brushes, lotions, and deodorants to the Crisis Connection.Third Place: GFWC Hearts and HandsGFWC Hearts and Hands planted a Pinwheel Garden at the local Boys and Girls Club. An official “Pinwheels for Prevention” sign was displayed to catch the eye of those traveling on this busy thoroughfare. The Pinwheel Garden was on display the entire month of April.Clubs (15 and over members)First Place: Munster Junior Woman’s ClubGFWC Munster Junior Woman’s Club assisted a local non-profit organization that provides counseling to the survivors of sexual abuse or domestic violence with two of their big fundraisers, The Agape Walk and Fairy Tale Ball. Walkers seek sponsors. There is a lunch and raffles. This club sponsored the walk for $300 with some members working the event. They donated items valuing $450 for raffle baskets. The Walk raised $15,000 for Fair Haven. The Fairy Tale Ball caters to little girls. The girls dress up and meet other princesses and princes. Even the moms wear ball gowns and tiaras. The club donated items valuing $350. This club also supports Haven House by making their Thanksgiving sweet. Members make, bake, or purchase desserts for staff and clients at the shelter. This year the club donated a record number of 19 desserts. Haven House is supported throughout the year with monetary and clothing donations.Second Place: GFWC Progress Club of South BendGFWC Progress Club if South Bend held a Bag Bingo for women in the YWCA Domestic Violence Prevention Shelter. Club members donate new or gently used purses stuffed with numerous personal items such as lipstick, perfume, deodorant, shampoo, candy, gum, gift cards, etc. Each woman receives a purse and no one loses. The clients look forward to this evening of fun and friendship every year. Club members feel that the time spent with these women face to face is just as valuable as he event. Knowing someone cares and is willing to treat you with respect and sisterhood is the true benefit. Members donate sheets, pillows, clothing and financial support throughout the year.Third Place: GFWC Women’s Club of St. JohnGFWC Women’s Club of St. John support Haven House, a rape crisis and domestic violence organization. Volunteers respond when the police call to let them know that a woman has been taken to the hospital after being violently attacked. Besides helping the victim with resources, the bring clothing to them since their undergarments and sometimes outer garments must be kept for evidence. The club donated $250 and members donated bras, underwear, sweat pants, shirts, etc. valued a $500. Six club members walked in the Agape Walk to raise funds and awareness for Fair Haven.ADVOCATES FOR CHILDRENClubs (1-15 members)1st PLACE-GFWC Hearts and HandsThe members of the Hearts and Hands did an outstanding job at providing needs for children. Every meeting they brought treats for the children at the Boys and Girls Club in Noblesville, IN, to take home so that they would have food over the weekend while not in school. This amounted to 432 bags, each containing, fruit cups, chips, water, granola bars, fruit snacks, and pudding cups. This project alone had an in-kind value of $2,000.2nd PLACE -GFWC/IFC Lowell Woman’s ClubThe Lowell Woman’s Club never disappoints with their work in this category. They donated a total of $1,260 in dollars and in-kind items for the benefit of children. They clothe, feed, shoe, and even acquire bicycles for needy children in their community. They provided a lot of child-friendly snacks to the trustee’s office for children to have during the summer, when they are not in school.3rd PLACE-GFWC/IFC Lincoln Club of Southern IndianaThis club of 12 members took two full totes of items for IFC’s Riley Children’s Hospital Parent Care Unit project, amounting to an in-kind value of $437. They spent many hours, searching for just the right items, with children in mind. Way to shop, ladies!Honorable Mention goes to GFWC/IFC ESO Regional Readers for their $100 donation to GFWC partner, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. ADVOCATES FOR CHILDRENClubs (16 or more members)1st PLACE-GFWC IFC Munster Junior Woman’s ClubThe MJWC are super heroes when it comes to being advocates for children. Their combined dollars given and in-donations amounted to $4,150 from 9 projects and 144 hours. More than half of this amount benefited special needs, while the rest benefitted children in crisis and low-income children. They participated in a town-wide event for 5th graders, demonstrating the importance of volunteerism and being kind to others. 2nd PLACE -GFWC Highland Woman’s ClubThe Highland Woman’s Club focus was on autistic children and special needs children. They supported INFEAT, an organization that helps families with autism find services not supported by their insurance, and the Special Olympics. They even had a special Olympic athlete speak at one of their meetings. They had a unique opportunity to partner with Walgreen’s to participate in Red Nose Day, selling popcorn and promoting reading. Walgreen’s then in turn donated items for organizations that are advocates for children.3rd PLACE-GFWC Progress Club of South BendThis South Bend club made monetary and in-kind donations to Riley’s Children’s Hospital as part of the IFC project. Ten of their members proudly brought their items to last year’s convention. They happily put in 91 hours to improve the lives of the hospitalized children, donating $230 and with an in-kind donation of $125.Honorable Mention goes to General Federated Women’s Club of St. John for sewing 78 mask strips for GFWC partner, St. Jude Children’s Hospital. They followed instructions given by St. Jude, using fabric, elastic, and Velcro strips.ARTSClubs (1-15 members)1st PLACE. Lowell Women’s Club. This club puts a lot of time in with their Library. They have contributed to a local “Poetry Pavilion”. Members hand craft Valentine’s Day cards to be distributed at a Merrillville Veterans Hospital and Meals on Wheels. They craft table décor/ centerpieces and handmade flower party hats for a Tea Party at a local nursing home. These items were given to the residents to keep.2nd PLACE: GFWC Fayette County ESO. This club made centerpieces for one of the banquets at the Great Lakes Regional Conference in October. They made hats for the Mad Hatter theme. One of the women Chaired the Art contest at the State convention. There is a tie for 3rd Place3rd PLACE: GFWC IFC ESO Regional Readers. This club donated to the State Art and Music scholarships, they contact local high schools to inform them of our State scholarships. They brought art supplies to donate to the Great Lakes Conference. 3rd Place : GFWC/IFC Lincoln Club of Southern Indiana. This club had a Country Store where they create and sell their items. They entered two photos into the Art contest. ARTSClubs (16 or more members)1st PLACE. Chesterton Women’s Club. This club’s art show attracted local and new artists with an opportunity to display their art and sell it. A majority of the members participate. The town of Chesterton has benefited from donations. Profits are distributed to Visiting Nurses Association, YMCA Boys and Girls Clubs the local Food Pantry and Chesterton High School to enhance children’s education in Art and Music.2nd PLACE: GFWC Progress Club of South Bend. This club sold and deliver poinsettias as a fundraiser during Christmas. They participated in the Garden Walk presented by the Art league. The club member visited many of the gardens in the Michiana area. Several members volunteer as docents at art museums. 3rd PLACE: GFWC IFC Munster Jr. Women’s Club. This club donated $250 to the Community Theater in Hammond IN. They donated $100 to be a sponsor donor of a regional professional theater. ConservationClubs (1-15 members)First Place: GFWC/IFC Fayette County ESO Club GFWC/IFC Fayette County ESO Club eleven members reported on seven conservation projects they participated in. They donated a total of 1328 hours, $450 donated, and $1925 in in-kind donations. Pop tabs are collected and donated to the Ronald McDonald House at Riley Hospital. Plastic bottle caps are collected and donated along with other organizations to the Richmond Friends School for which in turns donates them to the Cope Environment Center. A community wide recycling center is operated from the front yard of a member. She donated the proceeds of $1800 to the Habitat for Humanity. Other members belong to organizations: The National Wildlife Federation, The Nature Conservancy, World Wildlife Federation, and the Galapagos Foundations. The magazine from these organizations are in turn shared with other club members. The club has also taken on collecting supplies for the local animal welfare shelter. Second Place: GFWC/IFC Kankakee Valley Woman’s Club GFWC/IFC Kankakee Valley Woman’s Club nine club members participated in four Conservation Community Service Projects. The club has taken on the responsibility of maintaining the grounds of the Fairchild House in DeMotte. This community owned establishment is used for various venues, so maintaining the grounds is very important. The ladies plant flowers, cultivate, water and rejuvenate the property from early spring until late fall. Members also saved plastic bottle caps and donated them to the elementary school project to be used toward obtaining a “Buddy Bench”. The annual convention Conservation project sparked the interest of the club and they shared their “Bag dress” creation at convention. They reported 79 volunteer hours, $50 in donations and $167 in-kind donations toward their projects. Third Place: GFWC/IFC Women in Action GFWC/IFC Women in Action members participated in two activities in the Conservation Service Program area. A total of 70 hours were reported along with $1000 donated and $200 in-kind donations. These ten activities varied from recycling plastic bags, batteries to obtaining a cat from the Humane Society and the club donating supplies and money for shots and upkeep of the cat, as well as donating blankets, food, newspapers and towels to the Humane Society much of the year. At the annual flower sale, flyers were handed out with each basket purchased informing the benefits of insects and ecology as well as warning about pesticide use. Money from the flower sales was donated to Canine Companions, Hobart Humane Society, and National Disaster Search Dog Foundation. Other projects included funds being given to Canine Companions, Heifer International and Riley Hospital. CONSERVATIONClubs (16 or more members)First Place: GFWC/IFC Highland Woman’s Club GFWC/IFC Highland Woman’s Club two projects keep the ladies busy much of the year. The club was chosen several years ago to maintain a planter in the town park. Working with the Highland Park and Recreation Department, the club maintains a planter throughout the year. There is a plaque at the planter site recognizing their work and explaining a little about the club and GFWC mission. The nineteen members also cooperatively work with the Women’s Guild of a local church collecting bottle caps to be used in making benches to be used in their town. The group volunteers over 15 hours on these projects and has no monetary or in-kind donations. Recycling and conservation are not about money but using resources already readily available. Second Place: GFWC Woman’s Club of St. John GFWC Woman’s Club of St. John’s 23 members worked on two projects giving at least 35 hours to the conservation endeavors. Each month the members collected their plastic bottle caps that are donated to the local Lion’s Club and boy Scouts to be given to a company in southern Indiana that makes “Buddy Benches” for parks and schools. During the winter o the ladies worked to design and make a dress of recyclable bags. There creation placed second in the State competition. Third Place: The GFWC/IFC Munster Junior Women’s Club The GFWC/IFC Munster Junior Women’s Club spent an average of one hour for each of the 39 members part in their recycling project. The members collected sixty pounds of plastic caps and gave half of them to the local Middle/High school for use in making a bench and the remainder for the “caps for Cancer” project. These worthy organizations benefited from the efforts of the ladies without any monetary or in-kind donations. EDUCATIONClubs (1-15 members)First Place: GFWC/IFC West Baden Research Club GFWC/IFC West Baden Research Club’s 13 members continued their support of a project created 22-years ago. A coloring book highlighting the community history was created for use in the local school system. The book, with artwork and history researched and created by the club membership has been used in the local schools continuously since that time. During the 2018 club year, funding for additional printings of the book was received from a $1,500 donation from the Orange County Community Foundation Youth Council. The book once again was given to the three local schools for the students to learn their local history at school then take home their own copy. Club members worked 125 hours and donated $1,834 for this project.Second Place: GFWC Kankakee Valley Women’s ClubThe nine members of the GFWC Kankakee Valley Women’s Club continued their support of a Back To School Fair. This fair is held yearly to insure that all community children are given necessary items to begin the school year. The club members worked at the fair, handing out pens and baby wipes to all 400 attending students. Members spent 23 hours and $60 in-kind donated to accomplish this club project.Third Place: The GFWC Joyce Wargo Reading Club The GFWC Joyce Wargo Reading Club members continue to support Friends of the Library, which supports the Porter County Library System. Club activities include volunteering in the Friends of the Valparaiso Sale Room weekly, one member holds the Executive Board of the Friends secretary position and attends monthly Board meetings. One member serves as the Coordinator of the Valparaiso Library Sale Room, two members organize books on the room shelves and assist patrons with locating books to purchase. One member supervises recruits and arranges schedules for the volunteers working in the sale room. One member prepares books for Internet sales and assists taking care of selling books over the Internet. One member oversees the Valparaiso Library’s two annual book sales that are held in March and September, which are open to the community. She supervises the sales, recruits volunteers and sets up schedules for the sales table during the event. The club members donated approximately 500 books, videos and publications to the Friends of the Library as an in-kind donation. They also purchase a membership to the Porter County Library for $25. The club members donated 1800 hours in their various volunteer duties.EducationClubs (16 or more members)First Place: GFWC Highland Woman’s ClubGFWC Highland Woman’s Club continues to support the Education Foundation in the Highland Public Schools. The foundation provides funding for teachers and their classrooms, grants for creative and innovative classroom activities, projects, and programs beyond what tax dollars can accommodate. When the 19-club members learned of the money teachers spend out of pocket in an average year, they realized the need for the Foundation’s support. If a teacher has a need for funds to implement a project for students, access to funds are available to use in the classroom. Donors to the Highland Education Fund, a 501(c)(3) organization, are given a chance to support activities in the school system. The club donated $100 to the project.Second Place: GFWC Progress Club of South Bend GFWC Progress Club of South Bend thoroughly enjoyed their eighth year of the ESO Book Club. Monthly potlucks, lunches out, and celebrations of birthdays and special occasions are blended with good books and fellowship. He club’s 26 members read 1,665 hours, and enjoyed 99 hours of meetings together. Members recycle and share books. Some books are read by all members or members choose their own books. $128 in-kind was generated for those activities. Ten members of the club attended the 2018 GFWC Indiana Convention to celebrate 90-years of the ESO program in Indiana. This club is a celebration in itself!Third Place: GFWC Women’s Club of St. JohnFollowing a very successful fundraiser, the 23 members of Women’s Club of St. John presented a $1,000 scholarship award to each Lauren Holden and Joseph Heinz. Lauren is going to Indiana State University and Joseph is enrolled a Purdue University. The scholarship awards were presented at each of the students’ high school award ceremony. A total of 14 hours by 7 club members were used for this project. Home LifeClubs (1-15 members)First Place: GFWC/IFC Lowell Woman’s Club GFWC/IFC Lowell Woman’s Club completed 20 projects and volunteered 1275 hours. The club sponsored 3 blood drives for the American Red Cross. Nonperishable items such as canned goods, toiletries, pet supplies and cleaning products were donated to the food pantry. Their Christmas project “Sweet treats”. They donated cookie baskets to elementary schools for 9 families in need. In the baskets were all the ingredients you would need to make cookies. The club sponsored “Team Indiana” for the C.O.P.S. rally. This organization provides healing, love, and live renewal for America’s surviving law enforcement families. Club members participated in the American Heart Association and Alzheimer’s walks. Eighty pounds of pop tabs were donated to Riley Children’s Hospital. Second Place: GWFC/IFC Lincoln Club of Southern Indiana GWFC/IFC Lincoln Club of Southern Indiana completed 5 projects and volunteered 260 hours. At every meeting food items/money to be donated to the local food pantry. Christmas Gift Drive is held in December and the gifts are donated to Dale (Indiana) Women’s Organization who distributes them to children in need. Six members were Santa Elves – opening and answering letters mailed to Santa at the post Office in Santa Claus Indiana. Club members support the North spencer Community action Center by donating items to their thrift store so that the center can provide services to the need of the community.Third Place: GFWC/IFC Kankakee Valley Women’s Club . GFWC/IFC Kankakee Valley Women’s Club completed 12 projects and volunteered 183 hours. Twenty-seven blankets were made for the Binky patrol which is a group of ladies that make quilts for newborns in the NICU and small children in the Head Start Programs. Valentine cards were made for the residents of oak Grove Retirement Home along with a donation for their building fund. A donation to the Jasper Sheriff Department to help purchase equipment needed to help with the missing and exploited children. The club donates plants and maintains the outdoor flowers at the Fairchild House. The Fairchild House is the oldest historical home in Demotte and the club has their meetings there.Clubs (16 or more members)First Place: Chesterton Woman’s Club Chesterton Woman’s Club completed 12 projects and volunteered 2463 hours. At their monthly meetings members bring in items for the food pantry. The members donated $250 to cover the cost of providing services to the children for after school programming. Donations were made to several worthy organizations such as the VNA Hospice, Westchester township museum, and Meals on Wheels. At the Township Trustee Christmas Party, members made cookies, but gifts and provided entertainments of Christmas songs. The club provides “buddy bears” to the local emergency rooms for children that come to the emergency room. Second Place: GFWC/IFC Progress Club of South Bend GFWC/IFC Progress Club of South Bend completed 10 projects and 778 volunteer hours. Club members prepared lunch for the camp retreat for the participants of Luvability Ministries. The organization provides spiritual growth for the developmentally challenged. Members attended the Little Black Dress Fashion Show and Luncheon for Goodwill Industries and sponsored a table and attended a seminar called More Than a Store Tour which explained all the services that Goodwill provides to the community. Members also walk in their “Winter Walk” fundraiser. Third Place: GFWC/IFC Munster Woman’s Club . GFWC/IFC Munster Woman’s Club completed 11 projects and volunteered 133 hours. Donations were made to Habitat for Humanity, Cystic Foundation, Down Syndrome Assocaiation, NWI Parkinson’s INC., Humane Indiana, and Salvation Army. Club members brought in 40 jars for the local food bank. Who was conducting a Peanut Butter Ch. The club supports Phil’s Friends an agency that provides hope and caring through the distribution of care packages and cards.allenger of collecting 30,000 jars by the end of International OutreachClubs (1-15 members)First Place: GFWC Lowell Woman’s Club 3 Programs 13 Members Donated $140 In Kind $25 Hours 4GFWC Lowell Woman’s Club donated to Every Child Ministries again this year. This club donates women’s and children’s garments and shoes throughout the year. This organization provides aid to needy persons in Africa. In kind donation was $25. Covers of used greeting cards are donated to this program so they can make and sell artistic items like book marks. This club also donates to Food for the Poor, which is an “interdenominational Christian ministry that serves the poor in 17 countries throughout the Caribbean and Latin America”. Their mission is to “bring relief to the poorest of the poor in the countries they serve”. The donation of $100 this year is sponsoring their animal husbandry program. Lowell Woman’s Club donated $40 to Heifer International to purchase 2 flocks of chickens. Their donation was tripled during a “match your donation” drive; making their donation worth $120.Second Place: GFWC ESO Joyce Wargo Reading Club 3 Programs 14 Members In Kind $298 Hours 566GFWC ESO Joyce Wargo Reading Club held Sewing Workshops to make dresses and sanitary napkins for girls in third world countries. As people outside of their book club learned about our sewing projects, they have contributed beautiful fabric for use in their projects. Members cut armholes out of the sides of the pillowcases and added colorful lace, ribbon, and appliques. Elastic waist skirts were made from a rectangle of fabric with a back seam, hem and casing for the elastic. Elastic is pinned so that it can be adjusted to fit each girl. They used ribbon, lace, appliques and pockets to decorate the clothing and make each item unique. The club completed 15 dresses and 12 skirts. They bought matching T-shirts to go with the skirts. Club members also made reusable sanitary napkins for girls in Africa who are served by Every Child Ministries. Napkins were made from dark colors and patterns, easy to wash and hang on the line to dry. Their contribution this year was 20 napkins and liners. Kids alive International offers housing, counseling, education as needed in third world countries. The international headquarters are located in Valparaiso, one of the club members has spent time helping by relieving employees of tasks such as mailing receipts and filing. Christian World Service offers school bags for children around the world affected by poverty. A local church provides items to put in the bags (notebooks, pencils, scissors, etc.) and one of the club members sewed the bags to hold those supplies. Elastic waist skirts were made from a rectangle of fabric with a back seam, hem and casing for the elastic. Elastic is pinned so that it can be adjusted to fit each girl. The club completed 15 dresses and 12 skirts. They bought matching T-shirts to go with the skirts. Club members also made reusable sanitary napkins for girls in Every Child Ministries. Napkins were made from dark colors and patterns, easy to wash and hang on the line to dry. They made 20 napkins and liners.Third Place: .PUBLIC ISSUESClubs (16 or more members)First Place: GFWC/IFC Munster Jr. Womens ClubNight Out Against Crime 2018: The Munster Junior Woman's Club has participated in their town's annual Night Out Against Crime in August every year for the past 10 years. Club members staff the children's moon walk inflatables all evening in two hour shifts. They set up tables to recruit new members and have them fill out pertinent information and the Vice President follows up on every lead. They are invited to attend their “Open House Gathering” where the officers set up tables at a public place and possible new members can ask questions and get handouts. They are there from start to finish and watch the bank box. This year they received the “Community Service Award for all the work they do with the police planning events such as the Munster FOP Cops and Kids Program (donation $500), the Police and Fire Charity Softball Game, the Griffith FOP Lodge, the Fire Department Open House, the Self-Defense Class with Officers Ghrist and Meyers and the CHOICE Community Council. 18 members 30 hoursMoney raised/donated: $2,650Second Place: GFWC Highland Woman's Club Veteran's Life changing Services :VLCS is a homeless rehabilitation shelter located in the old St. Marks Rectory in Gary. It houses male and female Vets in need of service. The club donated toiletries, socks, sheets and blankets. This year they also donated a large set of pots and pans. $400 donation40 volunteer hoursThird Place: GFWC Progress Club of South BendDismas House House Cooking:The Dismas House provides programs for ex-offenders and has been a project of the club for 20 years. This is a residence for ex-offenders that provides programs for their successful reentry into society. They cook and eat dinner with the residents discussing all their lives which is an opening experience and makes all grateful for what they enjoy. 20 members 48 hours$170.00The club also picks up left-over pizzas at Little Caesar's that are left over from the weekend and deliver to Dismas House every Monday. The residents use them as snacks or take them to work.2 members(111 hrs)COMMUNICATIONS & PUBLIC RELATIONSClubs (1-15 members)First Place: GFWC/IFC Lowell Woman’s ClubThe GFWC/IFC Lowell Woman’s Club reported six projects in this area. They are a member of the Lowell Chamber of Commerce. This includes attending meetings and participating in the Chamber activities. This provides great exposure and networking within the community. They also utilize the local library’s showcase display case each August to promote the club with brochures, pictures and information. The club promotes activities by providing articles to all local newspapers and social media. They have even purchased radio spots. They collaborate with the Lowell Rotary Club, a local girl scout troop, and the Navy Sea Cadets to provide assistance to the club with various activities.Second Place: GFWC Women in ActionThe GFWC Women in Action reported nine activities in this area. They wear embroidered GFWC patches on the aprons they wear at their annual cookie walk. Thank you notes are placed in the bottom of every cookie container that is purchased. The notes include the website, Facebook page and club information. The Facebook page is updated frequently and advertises club activities. The members wear their GFWC emblem shirts at all club activities and displays the GFWC roadside sign within the city of Hobart and another one that is displayed at activities. Third Place: GFWC/IFC ESO Regional ReadersThe GFWC/IFC Regional Readers reported five projects in this area. Members are encouraged to wear their emblematic clothing at all activities. They ensure that “GFWC” is displayed on all signs, specially when reserving rooms at restaurants and the library. The club maintains a Facebook page that shares club happenings and special events and links to the Terri Lynn fundraising website to promote their nut sales. The club president shares GFWC information. Sometimes by forwarding emails, but she also provides printed information for members who do not have Internet access.Clubs (16 and over members)First Place: GFWC/IFC Munster Woman’s Club The GFWC/IFC Munster Junior Woman’s Club reported on three major projects in his department. They have a designated social medial person to update the private and public Facebook pages. The private site is for current and past members and has all information about meetings, and events to keep the members informed. The public page is to advertise fundraising and service projects and lists charities they support. In addition to social media, they have designed tie-dyed shirts that are worn at all activities to advertise their affiliation to GFWC and identifies their individual club. They also provide magnetized personalized nametags for all members. Finally, they have amassed a list of 621 valid email addresses that are used twice a year to send information about fundraisers. They are working smarter to spread the word about their club.Second Place: GFWC Highland Woman’s ClubThe GFWC Highland Woman’s Club reported on nine projects. They maintain a club scrapbook that is displayed a all events. Facebook is used to remind members and provided information for the community about events and is a good membership tool. The members wear polo shirts with the club name and GFWC emblem, as well as name tags. They have tri-fold pamphlets and business cards that are distributed at all events. They partnered with the local Walgreens and obtained items that were then donated for use at a dance for special needs students. The members partnered with the local police department by providing small denomination gift cards for their VIP Volunteer Raffle. Each donated card was identified with a label advertising their club. They also participated with the local parks and recreation department and the Humane Indiana Resale store. Third Place: Chesterton Woman’s ClubThe Chesterton Woman’s Club has a Public Relations Committee that is responsible for publicity and club history preservation. A yearbook is prepared for all club members with a directory of members, committees and chairmen as well as all meeting dates and programs. In addition, each member has a list of all District, State and International officers and event dates. The PR person also sends information to the area newspapers and radio stations both before AND after all meetings. Lastly and maybe most importantly, every Fall, four members attend a non-profit network luncheon where they make a presentation regarding the clubLEADERSHIPClubs 1-15 members1st Place-?GFWC Hearts and HandsCommitment to Leadership throughout all levels of GFWC/IFC is on display in this relatively new and small club of 13 members.? Collectively they serve in 8 leadership roles that include two members as State Federation Board Advisers.? Their club is also home to the GFWC Indiana Secretary, a District President, a State Committee Chairman, one member is on the GFWC Capital Campaign Committee and two members serve on the Great Lakes Region Board on various committees.??2nd Place-GFWC Fayette County ESO: Many club-women from GFWC Fayette County ESO participate in District and State Conventions and this club has several members that hold leadership positions such as GFWC Fundraising Committee member, State Parliamentary Adviser, District Secretary and State Vice-President.??3rd Place-GFWC Lowell Woman's Club:? NW District Vice President, Treasurer and Home Life and International Outreach Chairmen all hail from this club.? Additionally, their Leadership Chairman matches new members with more experienced members for guidance to FFWC and its programs.LEADERSHIPClubs 16 or more members1st Place:? GFWC Progress Club of South Bend:? The 26-member club has two Past State Presidents as well as a member serving on the Great Lakes Region as a reporter.? And, they also have members who serve as Chairman of Departments for the State.? They donated 1081 hours and the total dollars spent were $5104.00.? Year-after-year this club continues to contribute leadership time and talent at all levels.2nd Place:? GFWC Munster Junior Women's Club:? This 39-member club was home to a creative project in 2018 that the President?designed to provide a visual depiction of the levels of GFWC by using umbrellas.? It is a tool that is referenced nearly every meeting and reminds members that their individual clubs all play a role in a much larger organization.LEGISLATION AND PUBLIC POLICYClubs (1-15 members)1st GFWC/IFC Lowell Woman’s ClubUtilizing the tools at their disposal club members stay informed on current policies thru the website, selecting the Take Action link. Members can also follow their own legislators vote. The club receives updates on new legislation and activism efforts from website. They club stays well versed and has been able to sign petitions involving animal abuse, social media photos used illegally, combating opioid abuse, contaminated water supplies, increasing funding for programs that address domestic violence and equal pay. The Lowell Woman’s Club members attend local town hall meetings, school board meetings, and other community meetings to stay up to date on their town’s policies and procedures that are discussed. The club has put in the effort and time to be well informed citizens. 2nd Place: GFWC/IFC ESO Regional ReadersClub members are encouraged to participate in GFWC Legislative Action campaign. To ensure that this is done, the club President forwards all the emails she receives from GFWC and she encourages members to sign petitions or send messages to local legislation to pass laws regarding stopping human trafficking of woman and children, stopping domestic violence and the many issues involving saving the environment.LEGISLATION AND PUBLIC POLICYClubs (16 or more members)1st Place: Women’s Club of St. JohnSeveral Members actively participate in the election process. Each must attend an instructional course, be present at their assigned precinct the evening before to insure the machines are in good working order, work the entire day of elections, close out the machines and sign the vote counts. One member even serves as “inspector” requiring her to oversee all issues, maintain the equipment, voting records, and bring the paper work and voting apparatus to the government center. This club also encourages members to participate in the GFWC Legislative Action campaign. The club President encourages all members to sign petitions or send messages to local legislators regarding stopping human trafficking, domestic violence and many issues involving saving the environment.2nd Place: GFWC Progress Club of South Bend Progress Club members lobbied its Indiana State Representatives on behalf of Dismas House, a nonprofit home which provides transitional housing and support services for those who have been recently released from incarceration. This is a first step in their efforts to obtain funds. Additionally, a club member serves as Supervisor of Absentee Voting and as such volunteered her time to set up new touch screen machines to be used for walk-in absentee balloting for the first time in the city’s history. Members are encouraged to participate in GFWC Legislative Action campaign. They have asked all club members to sign up for the site, even providing computers at meetings to help members enroll or take action. FundraisingClubs (1-15 members)First Place: GFWC/IFC Lowell Woman’s ClubGFWC/IFC Lowell Woman’s Club was selected not only for the amount of funds they generated, but for how the members worked together to improve each year to make their projects more successful. Their main fundraiser was the 4th annual “Barktobrtfest” (for the Relay of Life) raised $5333. Dogs were welcome as it is held in a local Bark Park! Door prizes, raffle baskets, food available, photo op, costume contest, vendors, etc. They also had a successful “Spring Rummage Sale”.Second Place: GFWC/IFC Kankakee Valley Women’s Club has had an annual Mother’s Day Geranium Sale for the past 40 years and profited $3929.14. They also hosted a “Bunco Bash” dinner and silent auction that netted $963.27. A garage sale netted $442.75. Third Place: GFWC/IFC Women in Action netted $2161 from their annual Mother’s Day Flower sale. Held a “Cookie Walk” and netted $1099. The club also worked with a Canine Unit and raised $1305 selling doggie and people treats. FUNDRAISINGClubs (16 or more members)First Place: GFWC/IFC Munster Junior Woman’s Club have an annual “Have a Heart” Bunco fundraiser. They raised $62881. Had guests write their names and address on the back of tickets and stored them in their data base as “friends of the Juniors” in hopes of building membership. Second Place: GFWC/IFC Highland Woman’s Club has an opportunity at the local Community Center where they run the concessions. They profited $5,283 hosting 4 garage/comic sales, all the middle school dances held monthly. The members donate all food, drinks, and baked goods. As they say, “its takes a village”. They have Key Club to help with waitress duties. Third Place: GFWC Woman’s Club of St. John have 2 Bunco fundraisers, “Bunco for Scholarships” ($1700) and “Bunco for Breast Cancer” ($3905). Theme baskets made by members for door prizes. Honorable Mention: GFWC Progress Club of South Bend held their second annual Fashion Show and Luncheon. They are working their fundraising event to help increase membership and awareness of their community philanthropy. They profited $1210 ESOClubs (1-15 members)1st Place: Lincoln Club of Southern Indiana“If You Can Read This, Thank a Teacher” says the Lincoln Club of Southern Indiana. In this club, 60 percent of this membership (12) is involved in reading. Seven members read 281 books and spent 2095 hours enjoying them.2nd Place: GFWC Lowell Woman’s ClubThe Lowell Woman’s Club with 4 members, or 30 percent of their membership (13), logging 1200 hours which they discussed with other members.Clubs (16 or more members)1st Place: Women’s Club of St. JohnSeveral members of the Women’s Club of St. John belong to book discussion clubs at local libraries and have enjoyed close to 100 books that have sparked lively discussions. ................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download