FROM THE DESK OF THE PRESIDENT:
Here we are November, welcome Fall! This is always my favorite season of the year and lately with weather changes it appears that Fall has certainly begun to show her shy face. I still have green beans and tomatoes ripening, so that is nice too, but I appreciate the cooler days and morning dew, even if my vegetables do not.
I am so buoyed by the things I can celebrate in the Now, this time Now in which I am living. When I speak of the Now, I mean the present. Where are you right Now? What are you doing right Now? This moment in time is so important because it is something, we can have some influence over. The choices we make today, in the Now will help the future, whatever that is: develop.
We need to choose what we focus on in the Now, what we give our power to, and what it is we can assist the World and our circle of family and friends with. Please note that being in the Now is not a place for catastrophic musings, we must stay positive. Staying positive does not mean that we are ignorant of what is happening, or we are not taking things seriously enough. I guarantee you; we are serious about what is happening, but we also know that this will pass and there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
We have all come through so much and our past is just that: The Past. We cannot change what has happened, however, we can change how we view our past. When we change the story of our past, we change our reactions to the past, there is some closure. Accepting our past story is an integral part of living in the Now. So much time is wasted on “what if”, “should have”, and “if only”, that we get caught up in the past story and become trapped. We cannot enjoy the loveliness of the Now moments when we are trapped in our past.
When we live in the Now moments, I encourage all of you to look at your time with gratitude. What we have Now, what we enjoy Now, what we are doing Now. Now is the present and we cannot ignore that! Living in Now time means putting the past where it belongs: behind us. It means choosing to live for this moment, this day! We need to choose the Now to be a joyful place, remember always to leave off the "catastrophizing" for that is the future and while none of us are in charge of the future for all, we are certainly in charge of having an impact of the future for ourselves.
Living in the Now is a choice for happiness and knowing fully that you are present and making choices that are an integral part of your story. Your choices in the Now will become part of your past and your choices in the Now will help to shape your future.
Live in the Now; listen in the Now, work in the Now, be present in the Now! The choices we make today, in the Now will help the future.
Luv, Pam
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CIVIC ENGAGEMENT & OUTREACH
Yolanda Petroski, Chair
President Pam has selected the Military and Veterans as one of her Special Projects - so without a doubt – that will be this month’s Hot Topic!
Wreaths Across America is an annual event honoring our fallen veterans. Check out their website at www.wreathsacrossamerica.org where you can sponsor a wreath to show your gratitude. The cost of sponsoring a wreath is $15, and your donation can be made “In Honor Of” or “In Memory Of.” In 2019 2.2 million wreaths were placed on headstones at 2,158 cemeteries. Several of our California clubwomen participate in placing these hand-crafted wreaths fashioned out of American balsam and hand-tied with a red velvet bow where it all begins in Columbia Falls, Maine. When volunteers place a wreath on a veteran’s grave on December 19 this year, the veteran’s name is said aloud. The memory of each veteran is kept alive through the saying of his/her name. Our GFWC President will lead a delegation to Arlington that day. READ MORE
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MEET THE CHAIRS UPDATE:
What a fabulous response we are having for these events! I am super excited and look forward to having each of the four-day meetups a success! If you have not yet signed up there is still time!
I did want to give some added information regarding cut-off dates to reserve your spot(s) in the event(s). You may attend one, two, three, or all four, but you do need a separate invitation to attend each one unique to only you. Capacity is limited and remember that each of the four events will feature different Chairs, who will speak with you for 3 minutes in each topic. We will open the room for questions from you after that, so have those questions ready.
Send your Registration request to: ament.pam5@gmail.com
Event Date: November 10, 2020
Last day to register is November 5, 2020
Event Date: November 17, 2020
Last day to register is November 12, 2020
Event Date: November 24, 2020
Last day to register is November 19, 2020
Supporting Paperwork and Invitation Reminders for the Meet the Chairs events will be sent around noon on the Monday’s preceding the event.
Hope to see you there; Barbara Briley Beard and I are extremely excited about these events coming up and hope to see you there!
Luv, Pam
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From Sonja Hults - CFWC Communication Committee Chair
Good Morning - please go to @GFWCCaliforniaFederationofwomensclubs and find the Area Meeting photographs. Tag and share to get your pages more attention. Questions? Please contact me at cfwcsonjahults@gmail.com and will will help you get your pages up and running.
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CFWC 2021 Convention
The dates for the convention are May 12–15, 2021 at the Sheraton Cerritos Hotel. CFWC President, Pam Ament and convention chairs, Priscilla Bolinder and Edie Seger would like input from members to help in making decisions about the convention. At this point we do not know what the virus situation will be at that time. Foremost in our minds is the safety of our members when we are able to meet in person.
It has been suggested that we consider a location other than a hotel. Please keep in mind that the hotel has a deposit from CFWC with no guarantee it will be refunded. Mentioned as possibilities are a casino or a Clubhouse large enough to accommodate over 100 people. The Clubhouse would have to have their own in-house caterer. Social distancing could be an issue at either venue. In either case, members would have to make their own arrangements for where to stay overnight. It would also be possible to have a convention meeting on Zoom.
Please share your thoughts with us by answering a few questions. Send your responses to the 3 of us by November 30 (email addresses are at the end of this article).
1. How would things have to change for you to want to attend a convention with 160 other people at a hotel with banquet seating for meetings and meals?
2. How far would you be willing to travel and what mode of transportation would you feel comfortable using?
3. Which of the ideas (hotel, clubhouse, casino, Zoom) would you prefer? How would your choice work for social distancing as recommended by health care professionals?
4. The past couple of year’s room rates have been $144-$145 plus taxes. How much would you be willing to pay for a room with no amenities (room service)?
Registration was $20 and $25 and meals (not including ESO or Emeritus) came to $265 and $270. ESO was $35 and $42; Emeritus was $35 and $45.
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For those of you who were unable to attend the Area Conferences, we thank Sonya Matthies, CFWC Second Vice President, for sharing her presentation with us.
It doesn’t take a “Bee Sting”
to swell our organization…
As we move forward in gaining new members and retaining members try to incorporate the following suggestions:
TRY TO SET GOALS FOR YOUR MEMBERS
When our clubs can meet again in person:
· Encourage your members to invite at least one prospective member to a club meeting each year.
· Club presidents should aim for a net gain of three members each year.
· District Presidents should set a goal of one new club each Administration.
· Share information and success stories to encourage other Clubs and Districts.
REMEMBER TO WELCOME AND MENTOR NEW MEMBERS
TO ASSURE THEY KEEP COMING TO OUR MEETINGS!
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Deborah Bushnell
CFWC Legislation and Public Policy Chair
Taken from the October 28, 2020 GFWC News and Notes:
Pending Federal Legislation: 116th Congress 2019–2020
GFWC clubwomen have been very active over the past two years in support of federal legislation by utilizing the GFWC Legislative Action Center. We supported permanent funding for the National Parks Service and the Land and Water Conservation Fund that supports state and local parks and recreation. This bill was enacted by Congress.
GFWC also supported additional funding for the U.S. Postal Service, supported legislation to prevent online sexual exploitation of children by removing liability protections for tech companies, and supported the Violence Against Women Reauthorization, the 3D Gun Safety Act, Miranda's Law school bus safety, efforts to eliminate the time limit for ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment, and the Centennial Quarter Dollar Coin Act.
After the November election, Congress will return to Washington, D.C. for the “lame duck” session to prioritize the remaining bills and complete their work for the two years. Any legislation that is not enacted will “die” with the end of the 116th Congress.
When the new 117th Congress convenes in January 2021, new bills will be introduced. GFWC will revise its legislative priorities for the new Congress and utilize the Legislative Action Center to make our voices heard. Join GFWC's Legislative Action Center!
To sign up for the Legislative Action Center by going to the GFWC website (GFWC.org), clicking on the “Public Policy” tab, and then clicking on the link that says, “Take Action.”
Members should “OPT IN” to receive the notifications issued by GFWC and then “TAKE ACTION” by responding to the notifications.
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CIVIC ENGAGEMENT & OUTREACH - YOLANDA PETROSKI
Have you ever wondered about the importance of one vote? Read on - and you’ll be especially glad you already did - or you’ll be sure to do it Tuesday. History is full of instances reflecting the importance and impact of one vote. The course of history has been greatly changed because one individual ballot was cast, or not, and here are a few examples: • In 1649, one vote literally cost King Charles of England his head. The vote to behead him was 67 against and 68 for. • In 1776, according to folk lore, one vote gave America the English language instead of German. • In 1800, when the Electoral College votes showed a tie for President between Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr, the House of Representatives gave the nod to Jefferson, by one vote. • In 1850, California was admitted to the union by one vote. • In 1923, Adolph Hitler became the Nazi Party leader by one vote. • In 1941, the Selective Service Act (the draft) was saved by a one vote margin - just weeks before Pearl Harbor was attacked. The importance of one vote is significant. We thank the women who fought for this opportunity for us!
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Thank-you
The Area A Meeting on October 24th was a success! Thank-you to the 72 members that attended on Saturday, including 11 first timers! We had a lot of fun while we learned about report writing, change, and how to help your hive to grow and thrive. The Trivia game was great and served as a learning tool for the attendees. Congratulations to Sharie Meyer for winning the Elevator Speech drawing. Thank-you to the Area A District Presidents that participated, you are appreciated! And a huge amount of gratitude goes out to the Co-hosts that worked so hard to make the meeting go smoothly. I am a grateful Bee.
Cindy Sanders Area A Vice President
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CFWC Health and Wellness Program, Myrna Binford, Chairman
Medicare Open Enrollment Period is from October 15 to December 7, 2020
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Last week in Quick Bytes I invited the clubs to get involved in Food Banks/Food Pantries. Since the holiday season is coming up so quickly, I am encouraging the clubs to not only help the food banks and pantries, but to Adopt-A-Family (or more than one). Many of the clubs have done this for years. This year with the pandemic and joblessness, it becomes even more necessary that we do such service projects. Organizations in the community (churches, charities, military bases, etc.) will usually have a list of names given to them for families who need food for Thanksgiving and food and toys for Christmas.
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You can vote to do this at your November meetings and establish a committee. A committee meeting (by Zoom, email, phone, etc.) can contact an agency to find out the needs of the family as far as food and presents for the children. Let the members know what will be needed. Some food items can be acquired by the club, but usually a grocery store gift certificate is given for the perishables and meat. Food and present delivery can be established at the club level and then the committee can delivery to the agency upon an agreed date. |
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Dates to remember in early November:
November 10 – Forget-Me-Not-Day Keep in touch with family and friends who you haven’t talked to in a while. Can use all types of social media.
November 11 – Veterans Day Honor America’s heroes by thanking veterans for their service or donating to an organization that serves vets.
November 13 World Kindness Day Do a good deed by writing (emailing) a note to a friend, ask a neighbor if they need anything from the store, etc.
Hope you all will be attending the “Meet the Chairs” every Tuesday in November from 2-4
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Dori's Leadership Library
These booklets are in .pdf format,
when printed they are ready to assemble into booklets
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Just a thought ......
"A bend in the road is not the end of the road...
unless you fail to make the turn."
Helen Keller
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