August 31, 2020
FROM THE DESK OF THE PRESIDENT
 
Week #6 of my Handy Hints for each of us in the California Federation to strive towards becoming stronger Members & Leaders…Wowza, we are passing the half-way point!
 
This week I want to speak to SELF-CARE. Let us start with the simple fact that Self-Care is not selfish, nor is it egocentric. Self-Care is a necessary part for every one of us if we want to be present 100% in our daily lives. This is especially true during this era of covid. Have you noticed how I never capitalize the words “covid” or “cancer”? This is a simple thing I do for my own Self-Care, I do not give those words, (and a few others), the power of capitalization.
 
Self-Care is what gives us the ability to help others! Think about what you hear on an Airplane: put your own oxygen mask on first, then help another…we cannot help anyone if we cannot breathe. Put Your Mask On first! Volunteers are especially at risk of empathy overload when Self-Care is absent from their lives. Think about it, we focus on helping others and often place ourselves last. We say “Yes”, over, and over again, even when we want to say “No”. Sometimes saying “No” is the best Self-Care we can practice. We need to know our limits and we need to set boundaries. Setting a boundary is Self-Care. You are no good if you become a sponge for everyone else and never wring yourself out: remember your own Self-Care!
 
If Self-Care seems foreign to you, a great way to begin Self-Care is deep breathing. I begin every day with 40 – 60 minutes of meditation, in which I incorporate deep breathing techniques with visualization. Meditation helps me to focus on what I need to be Present in the Moment, it helps to calm me throughout my day, and it helps me work on my creativity. I am a strong creative person, it is a gift! So, something else I do for Self-Care is to keep my creative edge sharp in several different ways like reading, journaling daily and taking classes online. I even take a day off of the phone and the computer every so often, AND, my phone rarely rings out loud, because like the words above: I don’t want a phone to have power over me; I refuse to allow the phone to dictate what I must do: answer it, every time it rings.
 
Some of the other things you can add into your Self-Care Kit are sleep, relaxation, exercise, fun, love, exuberance, pleasure, conversation, gratitude, singing, and joy. This is an easy list; we all know what we like so to make up your own list. We may put ourselves to the test with Self-Care with creating big goals and endless lists. Do not get me wrong, I have goals and I have lists, but I never try to get everything done in a short amount of time and I always pace myself where I am comfortable. You cannot take care of yourself if you are always running towards a new thing you must do!
 
So, what is it that you do for your own Self Care? Do you have a list, or do you need to make a list? I challenge each of you to post on our GFWC California Face Book page an item on your Self-Care list, just one-thing you do…it may inspire another. And did I mention, both inspiration and motivation can be excellent Self-Care things you can do for others and yourself as well.
 
Luv, Pam

California Fires
 
Our hearts go out to everyone that has been affected by the recent California Fires. Once again it appears that our State is suffering from catastrophic events that meet and create havoc. To date, we have had 2 of our members lose their homes to fire. Thankfully, they are safe and with family. Please hold space in your heart for those in the path of fire and smoke. Listen to the professionals and follow their lead, be safe!
 
Again, I ask for any of the District Presidents to let me know if new victims in their Districts become affected by fire. If you have contacted me already, thank you, we have the information. If something new arises, send me a quick email.

Meet the Chairs
 
I am so excited to share with you a new series we will offer for 4-weeks in November: Meet the Chairs! Attached on this Quick Bytes are 4 Fliers which highlight our CFWC Chair Presentation. Each CFWC Category will give a 3-Minute Speech and at the end of the speeches we will have a Q & A Session where you can ask questions. Moderated by your CFWC President and 1st VP/Dean, sign-ups will be beginning on October 1st and run through the 21st. More information on how you can Register will be posted in the September 28th Quick Byte. Anyone is welcome and you can sign up for as many of the events as you like. CFWC is capable of have up to 300 participants at each event, so sign up right-away. I look forward to the presentations as we each adapt and move with our leadership for our CFWC Membership during covid.

CFWC 2020-2021 Yearbook Orders
Gina Radocchio, CFWC Corresponding Secretary 
 
A big thank you to you ladies for getting your orders in for the CFWC 2020-2021 Yearbook. The date for distribution will be after the September State Board Meeting. Procedure for distribution will be determined by the State Executive Board. Thank you again for your orders. I had a wonderful time visiting with a lot of you while we discussed our clubs and some of the exciting projects you are doing! You are all exceptional women making the best out of difficult times! Thank you! If you have any questions please give me a call: 310-379-8315. 

Ready, Set, Shop !!
The CFWC Marketplace is now open on the website at cfwc.org., just click on the "Marketplace" tab to find details about what we have for sale. We urge you check often as we may have new items or notifications of low inventory levels.
If you have questions about any products or orders, please contact our chairman, Gail Fitzpatrick at gailfitzpatrick@msn.com
 HAPPY SHOPPING !!
This year Coastal Clean-up Day is a month-long event. Clean-up Day is the highlight of the California Coastal Commission’s year-round Adopt-A-Beach Program and is billed as the “world’s largest garbage collection.” Because of safety concerns there will be no single day or centrally organized sites this year. Instead, cleanups will be self-guided and close to your home on any day or days in September of your choosing.
Cleaning your neighborhoods, local parks, streets, and storm drains helps protect our coast. Trash travels through storm drains, creeks and rivers to pollute the ocean. If you cannot make it to the beach you can help keep the ocean clean by picking up litter in your community. This will be an excellent project for club members to participate in and will make a real difference in protecting the environment. 
On your pick-up day, bring a bucket or reusable bag for collecting trash. It is best to use disposable gloves, or if not available, a pair of lightweight gardening gloves. And, importantly, bring water in a reusable bottle with you. If you are going to the beach, a kitty litter scooper allows a hand-free way to grab the trash and leave the sand behind.
You are asked to report on how much you have gathered on a form available at https://www.coastal.ca.gov/publiced/ccd/ccd.html . If you prefer you may download the CleanSwell app.  Keep this information to complete your annual club reports. The website also has a link to contact the Commission coordinator in your area if you have questions.
Let’s take this opportunity to protect our communities and our ocean.   
Jane Thomey
CFWC Environment Chair

Please note that deadlines are absolute, no exceptions.

The CFWC Fall Executive Board Meeting general session will be held via Zoom on Friday, September 18 from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm – with some breaks built in. The Call and the invitation to register have already been sent out. You must register no later than 11:59 pm on Monday, September 7. After your registration has been authorized, you will get a second email with the link to the meeting on September 18. Please keep that email as you will need it to enter the meeting.
If you have not yet seen your invitation to register for September 18 meeting, please let me know. I can send you another.
Also, there are several committee meetings that will occur between Wednesday, September 9 and Thursday, September 17, as well as on Saturday, September 19. Notifications for those meetings (with the codes) will be sent out by the committee chair. Any questions about these committee meetings should be directed to the committee chair.
If you need some general help with Zoom, I’m available to answer questions or to send you some documentation. This is a time of learning for all of us, so remember Change is Beautiful.
Debbie Pietraszko
debpie74@yahoo.com
818-681-8593

CFWC Health and Wellness Program, Myrna Binford, Chairman
Fall is Flu Shot Time
Fall is fast approaching. It’s that time for your annual influenza shot. This year there is an extra push to get it early. Many doctor’s offices, pharmacies, etc. have already started notifying patients/members that they have the flu shots available now. CDC Director said, “This is a critical year for us to try to take flu as much off the table as we can”. Our resources such as hospital beds and doctors have been overwhelmed with COVID-19 so anything that will prevent using those resources for cases of flu is important (a 2018 study showed that the vaccine reduces the risk of being admitted to the ICU by 82%). Some medical personnel said to get the flu shot as soon as possible while others advocate by October 1. This is because the vaccine takes about two weeks to be affective against the virus. Since the vaccine lasts about six months, either September/October will see you through the flu season of March/April. This year so far, the cases look to be modest as experts look at Australia’s flu season to get a sense of the strain and how it spreads. It is just past winter in the Southern Hemisphere. There is a nasal spray, but doctors prefer the shot. People over 65 should get the Fluzone High-Dose (FLUAD). This contains four times the antigen making it stronger than the regular flu shot (about 24%). Also, there two types of vaccine available for 2020-2021. The trivalent (two flu A strains and one B strain, available in only high-dose vaccines and the quadrivalent (two A and two B strains), in either high-dose or standard vaccines. Either one should do. Always read the paperwork you are given when getting the flu shot and ask questions if you need to.
AND, remember from my article last week, try to use a Walgreen’s as they participate in the Shot@Life program. Stay well and get your flu shot!
Civic Engagement & Outreach – Yolanda Petroski
 
 Want to show your support of the police, fire and military in one swoop? Check out Anley 3x5” window flag decals on Amazon or on the Anley website. The black and white U.S. flag bears three stripes: blue for police, green for the military, and red for our fire heroes. Made from 3M vinyl, the decal is waterproof and fade resistant with easy-to-follow instructions for placing on your windows (car or home) or anywhere you wish to show your support. Cost is $5.95 for 3. Check out their inventory for any needs you may have to demonstrate your civic pride.
CALL to the CFWC Executive Board Meeting 
The CALL to the next CFWC Executive Board Meeting has gone out . If you have not received the CALL yet, you may access your copy here in QuickBytes or at CFWC.org.
To get an invitation to the Meeting on Friday, September 18, 2020, please contact
Debbie Pietraszko
debpie74@yahoo.com
818-681-8593

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Just a thought ......
Some changes look negative on the surface
but you will soon realize
that space is being created in your life for something new to emerge.
Eckhart Tolle