North West District
news & updates
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News/Announcements from our Officers
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Membership - "New Growth"
Julie Bates, 1st VP/Membership - jbates1000@aol.com
“The flower doesn’t dream of the bee,
It blossoms and the bee comes.” Mark Nepotism
For the next 2 years the NW District will spotlight membership. We will have a friendly competition based on the number of new members admitted into your clubs each year.
For 2020: “Grow your hive and thrive” and in 2021: “Who will be the Queen Bee?”
Each year the Club Membership Chairman that attracts and secures new members will be given a very special hat to be revealed at each spring meeting during the next 2 years.
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The Membership Committee is also pleased to announce a new feature that will be added to our district newsletter and facebook page. Starting this month, a member will be featured in our newsletter’s Member Spotlight section. Each month we will post another member on facebook (photo, club, and very brief statement about this member). The goal of this new feature is to recognize members across our district and to help our members feel more connected by learning more about each other.
It is also a great way to highlight the members accomplishments or celebrate their anniversary. Club Presidents please consider nominating a few of your members. Please send nominations, photo and brief bio to me at
jbates1000@aol.com
.
I'm excited to bring you this new feature and look forward to receiving your nominations! Please scroll to the bottom of the newsletter to check out our Member Spotlight member for this month, Ursula Reynolds from the Atlanta Woman's Club. She's impressive!
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Maria Barnhart, 2nd VP - mariavbarnhart@gmail.com
My name is Maria Barnhart and I am the 2nd Vice-President of the North West District. It is an honor to serve on this GFWC North West District board and I look forward to working with the dedicated GFWC women throughout the district and state.
I am the Immediate Past President of the Dunwoody Woman’s Club and I am currently the Chairman of Ways and Means of my local club.
I enjoy reading blogs and books by Brene′ Brown. Here is one of her quotes: “Trust is earned in the smallest of moments. It is earned not through heroic deeds, or even highly visible actions, but through paying attention, listening, and gestures of genuine care and connection.” I want to earn your trust and be connected.
So what does the 2nd Vice-President do? I asked the same question.
As the 2nd Vice-President’s I serve as a liaison between the GFWC GA 2nd VP and the district for Community Service Programs and Advancement Areas. I want to connect with Chairmen of each CSP at the district level and also work with the GFWC GA CSP chairmen. As you know CSPs have been reduced from six to five and they have been renamed as follows: Arts and Culture, Civic Engagement and Outreach, Education and Libraries, Environment, and Health and Wellness. Stay tuned for changes in the way we submit yearly reports.
Exciting News - We look forward to hosting leadership and technology training for North West District members. This training will be on Zoom and we plan to record the sessions so members can access the training at a later time. Stay tuned for more details.
I look forward to helping clubs with the new CSPs and understanding the new reporting procedures. Change can be good. I will work hard to assist you in meeting these challenges.
Maria Barnhart
2nd VP, North West District
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News from our Community Service Chairs
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Connie Morris,
Civic Engagement & Outreach
The women’s suffrage movement was a decades-long fight to win the right to vote for women in the United States. It took activists and reformers nearly 100 years to win that right, and the campaign was not easy: Disagreements over strategy threatened to cripple the movement more than once. But on
August 18, 1920, the 19th Amendment to the Constitution was finally ratified, enfranchising all American women and declaring for the first time that they, like men, deserve all the rights and responsibilities of citizenship. (Copied from the History Channel).
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Education & Libraries
Linda Mote - lmmote@mindspring.com
Welcome to the Education & Libraries Community Service Program! Beginning July 1st GFWC's Education & Libraries Chair, Tina Daniel began an
online book club.
We will read "Bury Me in My Pearls" by author Jane Herlong Jenkins as our first book for August. Jane will be featured throughout the month and will join us for a live online book
discussion in August
.
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Environment
Kathy Hanna - kak1941@aol.com
What a strange year this has been because of the Corona 19 virus. One good thing that has come out of all of this is that we have become more avid gardeners, recyclers and restorers. More plants have been added to our yards, more people are putting out water and seed for our bird watching. More people are creating habitat for wildlife and more and more people are planting for our pollinators. Items from our homes and garages that we haven't remembered we owned are being passed on to those who can put them to use.
Our Clubs are looking to find projects that are socially distant to protect one another from becoming sick. Carpools are difficult to do safely during this time as well as finding places to host meetings, so please gift your members with ideas of places they can go that are safe, and make their efforts simple. Our parks are open, and walking in nature does wonders for all of us, body and soul.
We had hoped to host a NW District District Day to tour the magnificent Gibbs Garden this fall, but with the current status they aren't allowing group tours, so we are putting this on hold until spring or fall of 2021.
Club members and Presidents, please share with your District CSP's ideas that are working in your clubs so we can pass those ideas on to one another.
Here's an idea: One garden club in my area is doing a once a month plant swap. Simply pot up some plants from your yard that need dividing, label them and take them to one designated member's yard the day before the swap, come back the next day and take home plants from other members who dropped off their divisions. This is a great way great way to interact with neighbors or members while being social distant not to mention that it's a great way to populate your garden with new plants for free.
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Health & Wellness
Barbara Washburn -bwashburn41@gmail.com
Are you ready for an "uplifting" experience during your down time? Our North West District will host a district wide
Bra-Ha-Ha Contest for all of our clubs. We are asking our clubs to participate in this contest as we challenge you to design a bra that tells a story, shares inspiration or simply shows your creativity and humor!
This contest will be fun for all members check out Pinterest for a few ideas and have fun designing your bra. Once your masterpiece is done, Club Presidents will choose two bras to enter into our contest to win the "BRAvo" award. Presidents will send photos of its Bra-ha-ha submissions to me at
bwashburn41@gmail.com no later than September 25. Photos will be posted on our social media channels during the month of October which is Breast Cancer Awareness month. We will ask our followers to help the Judges choose a winner - 1 point for a like on facebook/3 points for sharing on facebook and 1 point for a like on our Instagram. The winner will be announced at the October meeting.
So are you "cup" for the challenge? After you submit photos to me, I encourage you to ask your local doctor's office or any store frequently visited by women if your Bra-Ha-Ha can be displayed during the Month of September and October to bring awareness to Breast Cancer Month and the importance of yearly mammograms and self-exams. The more bras you create, the more "exposure" you will give to your club. Distribute the bras to various offices within your community. To download sample signs -
click here.
May the "breast" club win! - The bra below is titled "Freshly Squeezed." Make an appointment to have yours squeezed today." We hope you will "support" and participate this fun challenge.
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Amy Atkinson, Bylaws/Standing Rules amyatkinson206@gmail.com
In case you missed it, GFWC Ga By-laws were revised in June 2020 to include the option of electronic meetings in case of government restrictions or disaster. An additional revision included a dues increase. GFWC GA dues are now $10 per capita effective April 2021. There were also updates made to the community service program names. Listed below are several items each club should review and if necessary modify their by-laws.
* Include provision for electronic communication.
* Include plans for electronic meetings in case of governmental restrictions or disaster.
* Have at least two signers on club accounts.
* Update from six to five Community Service Program areas.
1. Arts and Culture
2. Civic Engagement and Outreach
3. Education and Libraries
4. Environment
5. Health and Wellness
The main purpose for revisions is to update our by-laws so that they accurately reflect practices that we are already following, to provide for some technical changes, and to update the organizational structure to allow us to strengthen our membership. Once your club has voted and accepted the changes to your bylaws, simply create a new and revised set of bylaws as a substitute for the old bylaws. It’s a good practice to keep separate files of all amendments to bylaws, along with the date and number of members present and voting. Club by-laws should be consistent with GFWC GA Bylaws and conform to existing club practices.
If you have questions or if I can be of service, please contact me.
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News from our Advancement Area & Standing Committee Chairs
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Fundraising
Irma Shaw - imshaw@windstream.net
The Fundraising Committee created an online merchandise store as our District Fundraiser. Our store has masks, t-shirts, long sleeve shirts and tank tops. There is something for everyone. During State President Shelby Holland's term she is asking all club members participate in her "S.M.I.L.E. Saturday" campaign. This campaign is a chance for club members to show off their GFWC pride by posting a photo of yourself on the
first Saturday of each month wearing a GFWC or GFWC Georgia branded shirt. We will continue to stock our store with branded shirts for you and and will also create items for nonmembers who enjoy wearing inspirational shirts – start thinking about holiday gifts –
Click here to view our store. If you want to learn how to do this for your own club, please let us know.
Our District will also host a Virtual Bingo which will also serve as a fundraiser. Stay tuned for more details and dates for this fun fundraiser!
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Leadership/LEADS
Judine Heard -
heardjudine@hotmail.com
The North West District Leadership committee started an on-line book club. Over the next two years, we are focusing on books about leadership and leadership development. From now until October 1, 2020, we are reading "Girl, Stop Apologizing" by Rachel Hollis.
According to Amazon, "Girl, Stop Apologizing" is full of tangible advice while also being incredibly relatable. Because Rachel shares stories from her own life, it never feels like you're being schooled or lectured. It feels like sitting down for coffee with a friend who wants to motivate you, encourage you, and set you up for success."
"Girl, Stop Apologizing" is a Goodreads Choice Awards 2019 winner, Rachel's first Goodreads award. We are using Goodreads, a social book cataloging website, to discuss our selected books.
New to
Goodreads? Joining is easy. You must have or create a free account to participate in our book club. Open an account by going to
Goodreads and following the prompts.
To find our group, tap the "Community" dropdown and select "Groups." Our group's name is GFWC Georgia - North West District. You can also type any part of "GFWC Georgia North West District" in the Group search box.
Goodreads has many benefits. It's like having your own library and catalog system. If you are an ESO member, you can keep track of books you've read throughout the year. At the end of the year, filter books by date (or add a shelf) and submit your reading list to your ESO chairman.
Join our group. You are encouraged to interact with members of the group by discussing the books, asking questions, even polling the group. It should be an enjoyable and informative group of ladies.
LEADS - It's not too late to register for LEADS. Join clubwomen from around Georgia for this day long leadership seminar. This year's topics include: Team Building, Lead a Meeting, Diversity Training, Budget and Financial issues, GFWC & the 19th Amendment, and Leading in a Busy World.
The seminar is always the day before Institute. This year's seminar is Friday, August 14, 2020. Registration deadline is August 7, 2020. Go to LEADS to register.
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Women's History/Public Instagram/FB Friends
Ashley DeSalvo Putnam -
ashleyldesalvo@gmail.com
Calling All Clubs For Information!
History is powerful and one of our greatest tools for success! As we transition into this new season here at the North West District, I would love to highlight and document the history of the district’s clubs. Each club has its own unique history and backstory, so it will be fun to learn about one another.
I am asking all clubs to send me their historical highlights, origin stories, club milestones and/or any other notable accomplishments they have completed throughout the years of their club!
If we do not record one another’s’ history, we fear the loss of our foundation and purpose. It is time to shine a light on the beautiful history that made us who we are!
I will be documenting this information, as well as highlighting it on our GFWC Georgia North West District Facebook and Instagram pages! Not only will this be an excellent opportunity to share our history with one another, but it will allow others to read and learn about us in hopes to gain more members for our clubs.
More information that would help highlight clubs are awareness months, charitable partners, and/ or event calendars. We want to share what each and every one of us are doing to help better the communities that surround us on our public facebook page and instagram. Please share this information with our president or email it directly to me at
ashleyldesalvo@gmail.com
.
Our goal is to have 300 followers on our public facebook page which includes GFWC members and nonmembers.
Please click the below link to visit our pages. Once you visit the page, click "Like" and then click the three dots "..." and Follow Us! Scroll to the "Community tab" and invite your friends to join this page. This page provides encouragement positivity and inspiration. We have 400 members and if everyone joins and invites two friends we will crush this goal.
Public Facebook Page
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GFWC and GFWC Georgia Presidents Special Projects
Karen Clydesdale -karenclydesdale@bellsouth.net
Ladies of the North West District, over the next two years, I will be sharing
information with you about our GFWC Presidents’ Special Projects and our GFWC
Georgia Presidents’ Special Project. Shelby Holland, our GFWC Georgia President has chosen Food Allergy and Research Education (FARE) as her special project. This is an area where I have so much to learn! This is a national organization working on behalf of the 32 million Americans living
with food allergies.
To support our President, this organization and to all learn together I am asking each Club President to appoint a member of your club to be the “TEAM FARE” coordinator. I will be sending these ladies research and statistics, fun activities to help educate our clubs as well as how to assist our schools to effectively manage students with food allergies. Teal is the color of Food Allergy awareness and May
is Allergy Awareness Month. I would like the “TEAM FARE” coordinators to start working towards getting at least one building in your area to be lit up in Teal during the month of May. We need to start now to bring awareness and information to our members and our communities. I look forward to working with my “TEAM FARE” coordinators.
Marian St Clair, GFWC President does not have a single Presidents Special Project but rather a Signature Program of Projects This includes: Intimate Partner Violence, Child Abuse, Teen Dating Violence, Campus Sexual Assault, Elder Abuse, Violence Against Native American Women, Military Sexual Assault and Human Trafficking for Sex Purposes. Each of these programs is featured in the GFWC 2020-2022 Manual. The 5 R’s, Recognition, Rescue, Recovery, Renaissance and Resources are described in detail. As a District we may want to choose one of these projects to focus on or we may want each club to decide which project is best for your club. Let me know your thoughts.
I am honored to be representing the North West District with these Special Projects and look forward to working with all of you.
Karen Clydesdale
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LAFAYETTE WOMAN’S CLUB THANKS LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT
As part of Law Enforcement Appreciation, the LWC worked with members, individuals, churches, and businesses to collect notes and cards of appreciation from the community and food items to be delivered to the LaFayette Police and Fire Department, Walker County Sheriff’s office, Georgia State Patrol, and Walker County Emergency Services.
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DUNWOODY WOMAN'S CLUB
The Dunwoody Woman’s Club was able to deliver pizza, salad, and drinks to the Dunwoody Police Department thanks to an anonymous donation by one of its Club members.
Four separate deliveries were made to insure t hat all shifts of the outstanding Dunwoody Police Department were covered and all officers knew that they are appreciated for all that they do to make our city safe. Shown making one of the deliveries is DWC President, Susan Crawford Other DWC members who were involved in the deliveries include Debra Love, Diane Norris, Meredy Shortal and Jan Slater.”
CARTERSVILLE WOMAN'S CLUB
Our ongoing commitment to providing meals, each month, for the resident children and staff at the Flowering Branch Advocates for Children Shelter has never stopped. Since there are Covid-19 restrictions in place for the safety of the residents at the shelter, we have made adjustments to the normal procedures of preparing the meals at home and serving them at the shelter. In recent months we have purchased meals from local restaurants and had them delivered to the shelter.
ATLANTA WOMAN'S CLUB
Our newest project, called the AWC COVID-19 Relief Fund, will be shining a light on the needs of several of the non-profit organizations in our community who have been negatively impacted by the Covid-19 public health crisis. The AWC has pulled from several places within our budget, including the CSP’s, to create a pool of funds which we will redirect to some of these organizations. AWC has designated $20,000 to aid in this effort. Various requirements must be met through an application process, and the recipients will be selected by the COVID Relief Fund Committee, led by our Treasurer, Gretchen Butler. We are all extremely proud to be able to “give back” in this way. In addition all of the CSP committees are now busy working on their plans and activities for the year ahead, as are the officers and all committee members.
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Please join us in welcoming our newest executive committee member, Ursula Reynolds. Ursula joined our board in April and immediately began attending our zoom conferences and offered her technical expertise.
Her goal in this role is to make sure we are sharing the impactful stories and mission of the clubs in the NW district. She will help to craft the stories about our clubs, members, and continue to share our accomplishments with the world. She will also prioritize new mediums and technologies and fully embrace best practices and future trends for the website, video content, social media, and more.
Beginning in the fall, she will work alongside with Ashley DeSalvo to create webinars that will educate our clubs on tech and online engagement. Based on the survey results, we will create custom content that can be shared with club members and viewed online. A online resource library will also be created in the process.
We are very lucky to have Ursula as our communication chair.
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Ursula
works at Georgia Tech's Scheller College of Business and serves as the Associate Director of the Doctoral Program. Ursula provides leadership and oversees operations for recruiting, admissions, program and marketing development, and student services. She is very involved in the Georgia Tech community and is currently an instructor for GT1000 Women and Leadership freshman seminar. In 2018, she was awarded the Georgia Tech Women’s Leadership Conference’s Outstanding Woman of Distinction and 2018 Georgia Tech Faces of Inclusive Excellence.
Prior to joining Georgia Tech, she worked in the Strategy and Fiscal Affairs division at the Board of Regents University System of Georgia as a Business Analyst. She is active in the Atlanta community and served on the board of directors for various nonprofit organizations that include Ferst Readers, Whitefoord Community Programs, Atlanta History Center Members Guild, and is Past President for the Southeastern Chapter of the National Association for Graduate Enrollment Management. She earned an M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration from Georgia Southern University and B.A. in Psychology from University of Georgia.
What do you enjoy most about volunteering?
One of the perks of giving back to the community is getting the opportunity to meet people and hear their stories. You will discover that it is a small world and how everyone is interconnected in some way.
Who inspires you?
My boys. I get to rediscover the world in a new way through my children. I want to make sure I leave the world in a better place for my children and future grandchildren.
What’s the last book you read?
The Seamstress by Allison Pittman
If you had to eat one meal every day for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Red beans and rice- New Orleans style made by my father.
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GFWC Georgia - North West District
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