GFWC 2007 REGION CONFERENCE

GFWC Signature Project Update

BACKGROUND OF THE GFWC SIGNATURE PROJECT

During the GFWC Region Conferences in fall 2007, GFWC took the first step toward identifying a project that will bring long overdue national recognition to our entire organization by 1) promoting organizational awareness, 2) providing consistency from one administration to another, 3) providing uniformity among club activities, 4) building member’s pride in the organization, and 5) ensuring efforts that are consistent with GFWC’s mission.

When we presented this information at the GFWC region conferences in 2006, based on member questionnaires, we narrowed the field down to five distinct areas: domestic violence, family/children’s issues, health issues, empowering women, and libraries/literacy. The 2007 state convention questionnaire results further indicated that the two top vote getters were domestic violence and family/children’s issues. These two GFWC Signature Project options as well as a third, which will be to have no signature project, will be voted upon by credentialed/voting delegates at the GFWC Annual Convention in Chicago, Ill. in June 2008. Clubs are encouraged to become familiar with the purpose of a signature project for GFWC and the areas under consideration as a signature project, discuss them thoroughly in the coming months, and come to Chicago prepared to cast an informed vote.

SIGNATURE PROJECTS UNDER CONSIDERATION

Domestic Violence                                                                  Family/Children’s Issues

Domestic violence is a serious widespread social                      The family continues to be the focal point of societies

problem in America with consequences that affect                       throughout the world with the stresses of daily life

each of us. The statistics are shocking; around the                       common everywhere. Stresses may include hunger,

world, at least one in every three women has been                       school problems, childcare, abuse, and security.

Beaten, coerced into sex or otherwise abused during                  Children and adults find themselves with enormous

Her lifetime and in the U.S.; and nearly one-third of                      needs and intense pressures making daily life quite

American women report being physically or sexually                    difficult. Unfortunately, families are becoming

abused by a husband or boyfriend at some time in                      vulnerable entities in today’s society.

their lives. Whether it is in the community, workplace,

Places of worship, or others, much remains to be done

to eradicate this problem.

The above is © 2007, General Federation of Women’s Clubs 202/347.3168 www.gfwc.org. Used with permission. 

At the convention in Chicago all delegates eligible to vote will decide this issue by choosing one of the two projects under consideration or voting to reject the entire process. If you ever wanted a say in GFWC, make your plans NOW to attend the GFWC convention in Chicago. 

Dates: June 27-July1, 2007; State Night Fri 27, Opening Sat 28, Region Lunch Sun 29, Mon 30 Elect new officers, Tues July 1 Domestic Violence Lunch & closing of administration, Tuesday Night Installation, reception, banquet

 Hotel: Hilton Chicago direct line 312.922.4400 Code GFW  deadline May 28, rooms are going fast

Double beds only: single/double $179, triple $204, Quad $229, Suites $350