August 10, 2020
IFrom the Desk of the President,
 
Well is has been a lovely week in Torrance and I do hope that each of you are enjoying the absolute best parts of summer! I am continuing with my list of things we may be able to do to improve how we work together better and today I will be writing about the Chain of Command.
 
The Chain of Command is the easiest and fastest way to ascertain answers to questions and to report the actions of an organization. It is important to follow the Chain of Command so that time is not wasted and whatever the result is or needs to be, is quick. For instance, if I have a question for GFWC, I will contact the next person in my Chain of Command: the 1st Vice President of GFWC, and, she will either answer the question or follow her Chain of Command and get back to me with the answer. I did that this past week and it worked out great.
 
In the protocol of Chain of Command there is never skipping around until you find the answer you are looking for…you go to the next level up in your Chain. If you are 2nd VP, you go the 1st VP, if you are a member you go to the Membership Officer, if you are on a Committee speak with the Committee Chair, and so on and so on. The Chain of Command is a great way to utilize communication amongst members and work on problem solving for any organizational dynamic. So, if you feel the need to ask the President and you do not hear what you wanted, you do not go to the Parliamentarian or Finance Officer…that is just disrespectful.
 
It can be hard to follow the Chain of Command for some because that path or Chain of Command is not clear. Especially when we skip around the leadership roles of clubs and districts between members that have not climbed the ladder of leadership step by step. I get it, finding leaders is hard, but we have to allow our leaders, who are our Chain of Command learn each step of Federation and allow their family to get used to it as well…otherwise your Chain of Command is broken.
 
There is a responsibility to be followed by those that serve at the top of the Chain of Command as well. I mention this because it is important to remember a leader delegates and trusts their Officers, Chairs, and Membership to do the jobs they have agreed to do. A leader that attempts to be the only link in a Chain of Command is often overwhelmed, or worse meddlesome.
 
I like to think of the Chain of Command as a bracelet, each link is attached to the next, no one link is like another, one after another they are bonded in strength, until those links and bonds form a circle of unity; Unity in Diversity makes for a lovely bracelet.
 
Luv, Pam
The CALL to the CFWC Executive Board Meeting
 
The CALL to the next CFWC Executive Board Meeting went out last week on both Wednesday, August 5th and Friday, August 7th. If you did not receive the CALL yet, you may access your copy here in Quick Bytes or at CFWC.org. To get and invitation to the Meeting on Friday, September 18, 2020, please contact Gina Radocchio, CFWC Corresponding Secretary immediately. 
HOT TOPIC AUGUST 2020 - See QuickDocs below
Zoom
 
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 2020-2021 Yearbook Orders - Gina Radocchio, CFWC Corresponding Secretary 
 
The deadline is quickly approaching to place your order! Monday, August 31, 2020 is the deadline for your payment to be received! This is a reminder to our District Presidents to place your order for the 2020-2021 CFWC Yearbook. If you need an order form please contact me at spiritedbootsie@yahoo.com or call me: 310-379-8315 and I will be happy to send you the form. The distribution date will be after the September State Board Meeting.Procedure for distribution will be determined by the State Executive Board. 
Take care and please stay safe and healthy!  
Civic Engagement & Outreach – Yolanda Petroski
 
The “Power of the Pen” was evident this past week when Trader Joe’s announced it was not succumbing to pressure to change its ethnic-sounding labels. For years customers have enjoyed sampling such products as Trader Giotto’s, Trader Ming’s, Trader Joe San etc. to experience the flavor of other cultures. Customer response was overwhelming in urging the corporate office (located at 800 S. Shamrock Avenue, Monrovia, CA 91016) to stand firm in face of an online petition to replace those labels. While the high school student who initiated the drive to remove ethnic labels is to be commended for taking action to right what she perceived was wrong, Trader Joe stood by its decision that such labeling of its products reflects an introduction and appreciation of other cultures. Take time to write those letters expressing your opinion for or against an issue. And after the fact, send another letter saying “thank you!”
Sunshine and Shadows
 
It is with great sadness that we report the passing of our CFWC Promotions Chair Gail Fitzpatrick’s husband Randy. At this time, we ask that you hold space for Gail and her family in your heart. Cards may be sent to the Fitzpatrick Family at:
38685 De Portola Rd., Temecula, CA. 92592.
California Fire Member Update
 
District President’s, please find out if any of your clubs, clubhouses, and members have been affected by the recent California fires and let Pam Ament know so we will have an update for the September Meeting of the Executive Committee. Thank you
Save The Dates
Want to have a chance to meet your new CFWC Chairs, hear them speak about their Programs, and, possibly ask them a few questions? In November we will be launching a 4-week series titled: CFWC’s Meet the Chairs. This series will be hosted on Zoom for 2 hours a session and feature several bundled CFWC Chairs to present in those 2 hours. Mark your calendars now for 2 – 4 pm on the following dates: November 3, 10, 17, and 24, 2020. A schedule of who is speaking when will be available by the end of August and attached through Quick Bytes with Instructions on how to sign up.
Jane Thomey, CFWC Environment Chair
The Pandemic has affected us in many ways, but a particularly urgent problem is the food crisis. Here are some ways to support food needs that help the environment as well. 
Have you taken a look in your pantry lately? Are there any unopened non-perishable cans of food you no longer want and that you would ordinarily throw away in the trash? Donate them to save someone from hunger.
If you were lucky enough to have a bumper crop in your home garden, there are food pantries and food banks that would welcome your excess produce. While some only accept canned goods, you can find a network of food banks that will accept your fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs. To find the ones closest to you contact AmpleHarvest.org. 
Sometimes non-food items can be useful. The Culver City SAVES asks for empty egg cartons. They receive eggs in bulk and need the cartons for distribution in family-sized portions. Your local food bank might have similar needs for recyclable items that provide a useful purpose and divert them from the landfill.
And speaking of trash, large portions of what we throw away is food and yard waste. Rather than automatically putting them in the trash container, consider composting. If you are not interested in doing the work yourself, certain areas of the state have services that will pick up compostables and do it for you. Search the internet for participating programs.  
These are just a few suggestions. I would like to hear about any food sharing tips you have that also help the environment
CFWC Health and Wellness Chairman, Myrna Binford
COVID-19 and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
 So much about COVID-19 has been learned, but there is still so much more. We have learned what the symptoms are and what will diminish our chances of getting the virus (mask, 6 feet social distancing, and hand washing and sanitizing). We are now starting to learn, after five months, some of the side effects of not only having survived hospitalization (trauma from entering without family, ICU, and intubation), having been quarantined for a positive COVID test (trauma as a threat to life and physical integrity), and fear of getting the virus. All can lead to isolation. The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) reports that 87% of recovered patients have at least one lingering symptom. Per the Mayo Clinic, 8% of US adults (mostly women) have been affected with PTSD.
Besides the ongoing physical issues that the virus may have caused, mental issues are starting to appear similar to PTSD due to social isolation. Social connections are one of the leading predicators of successful aging. We are social animals so social isolation can cause depression, anxiety, stress, loneliness, and fear especially if a family member or good friend has died from the virus. Read More
Leadership Minute

What are the characteristics of a Good Leader? Research now says there are 10! We will go over some of them in this QuickByte.
Integrity- this is a no brainer, but research shows many members & organizations seem to forget this important part of the leadership equation. Make sure our Clubs, Districts and State enforces this important part of leadership.
Ability to delegate- this is how you train other Leaders. An old boss of mine use to say you cannot be promoted if there is no one to take your place. This also helps you to facilitate teamwork, leads to better decision making and builds trust in your team.
Communications- without effective communications there can be no effective leadership. They go together like peanut butter & jelly on a sandwich. You must let members know important information like report writing and coach them on that report writing. You need to share information, no secrets. You need talk with a wide variety of members in a wide variety of roles along your leadership path. Good conversations can improve your club experience.
Self-Awareness- we will talk about this in September’s Hot topic. Look for it.  
Gratitude- will make you a better leader. Only a few people stop to say “Thanks”. Gratitude can lead to higher self-esteem, reduced depression and anxiety, and even better sleep. Most members will work harder for an appreciative leader.
A Great learner- the ability to know what you don’t know and when you don’t know it. In my work we called it the “razzle-dazzle”. Here the management types call it the ability to excel in unfamiliar circumstances or a quick study. This can be learned.

We will save the rest for next week. Love to all stay safe.
Dori Kelsey,
CFWC Leadership Chair

In case you missed it in the recent GFWC News & Notes
This week's GFWC Blog features GFWC Hudson Women’s Club (New Hampshire), GFWC Corralitos Woman’s Club (California), and GFWC Florida High Springs New Century Woman’s Club. Read and comment about their butterfly garden, mask donations and fundraising, and pizza luncheon for a senior living residence. 
Have a success story to tell? Share it with us by emailing PR@GFWC.org.
From our CFWC Domestic & Sexual Violence Awareness & Prevention Chair

I attended a ‘webinar” on July 30th put on by 
a California nonprofit organization that deals with HUMAN TRAFFICKING 
It was presented on World Day Against Trafficking Persons Day  (July 30th).
 
People have become more aware of sex trafficking due to a few organizations and their long term efforts.
There are more than 2 million child sex slaves worldwide and more than 30 million people 
who are trapped by modern-day slavery. 
It’s time to rise up for the children and become vocal on social media.
I will be presenting more information on ways the women of CFWC can have an 
impact on modern day slavery and I welcome any material/advice any of you may have.
 
Diane Waterhouse-Chair
Domestic & Sexual Violence Awareness & Prevention
QUICK DOCS
QUICK LINKS
Just a thought ......
Holding on is being brave,
but letting go and moving on is often what makes us stronger and happier.
- Unknown