CFWC QuickBytes

February 21, 2022

FROM THE DESK OF THE PRESIDENT

Secrets. I am not speaking of the spill your guts with a proper noun and then the words “did this,” kind of secrets, or even the sly behind the back, over the phone: “don’t tell anyone, but…” secrets. I am talking about the fact that there are no secrets in a not-for-profit group.

Our Minutes and our Finance records are an open book for anyone to read, not just a member, but anyone that asks. That is a fact and a fact that is often overlooked. We as a group should be sharing these items with our members at every meeting. Often, because of a time constraint, these items are either summarized, or posted. This is never an adequate way to manage our business, our Records are open, as such the agenda should be clear and avail itself to present our Minutes and Finances all the time. Additionally, paperwork should be available to every member in the room to look at during the Report. Afterall, the presiding Officer will ask for a vote or ask for questions before filing both the Minutes and Financial Records.

There are clubs and districts that send out these items by email or include them on their website, this is acceptable for the members with computer access. What of those without? When we still read the Minutes and Finances aloud and have both available in printed form on the tables for everyone there, those members with seeing and hearing disabilities become included in the business. This affords no feeling of exclusion or the feeling that there are items of business treated as “secrets.”

What of the other side? Members must take on the responsibility of listening and reading the Minutes and Financial items faithfully. The member is responsible for their own edification when it comes to items that will become part of our records. There should be no talking during these items at a meeting and members should be on time to hear and be part of the actions asked of them.

Secrets are the number one item I hear most about in an email or phone call. Members wonder if the policy of secret reports is allowed as part of the business session in a meeting. I have spoken about secrets since 2008. Many of you have heard me and thought to yourselves: “here she goes again.” Well, I speak the truth, secrets will kill a club like an aggressive cancer. Be open with all members. Be open with all members always.

Luv, Pam

Winter Board Attendees

Don't forget to bring your name badge with you! We will not be supplying badges.

To update everyone on Sacramento's COVID policy, here is what the State has on it's website:

Safely Visiting Sacramento

As the world grapples with the Omicron variant of Covid-19, California – and Sacramento – are no exception. While California has a high vaccination rate, there is a mask mandate for indoor places through Feb. 15. (Note: we start Feb. 23)

Hotels, restaurants, breweries, wineries, retail and other businesses do not have capacity limits, though many are voluntarily reducing indoor seating, asking customers to follow other social distancing procedures and taking other measures to ensure their places of business remain comfortable for patrons and employees alike. (Note: Every effort will be made to have chairs in meeting rooms spaced 6 ft. apart and seating at meal tables reduced to 6 per table). Many Sacramento hospitality businesses have taken a safety pledge to go above and beyond requirements when it comes to cleanliness and sanitation practices

Meetings and Events

California still has restrictions on what it terms "mega events," which are those with indoor capacities 500 or more attendees, or outdoor events with 5,000 or more attendees. For such events, attendees must confirm proof of vaccination or a negative Covid-19 test in order to attend. (Note: our attendance is under the 500 capacity -- you will not be asked to wear masks if you are vaccinated. If you are not vaccinated, masks must be worn! Thank you for your cooperation.

See you this week!

Jean Lash

703 585-5677

jeanlashtvwc@yahoo.com

CFWC Health and Wellness Program, Myrna Binford, Chairman

February is AMERICAN HEART MONTH

Wear those ribbons proudly to support Healthy Heart Month. I love it when someone asks me what they mean. Heart disease is the leading cause of deaths in the United States (this does not include strokes). Many of these deaths are preventable by changing peoples’ health practices.

After mentioing the Vial of Life program to my neighbor who is a retired fire chief and teaches CPR courses at the local junior college (see my Quick Bytes Article of February 7), he asked if I was familiar with the the new way they were doing CPR since the pandemic. Not as much physical contact. I am not familiar with the new method. I haven’t had the traiing since I was a Girl Souct leader! He suggested that my club have a program on this as a patient may need CPR before the EMTs arrive.

Please see GFWC’s News and Notes, February 17 issue, for the upcoming webinars in March. These are the Affiliate Organizations, but mmmmmost have to do with Health and Wellness.

Looking forward to seeing many of you next week.

Myrna

Approaching Deadlines and instructions

for the following will be found in QuickDocs

Website Contest

Young Musician's Scholarship entries

CFWC STATE CONVENTION

Printable Convention Save the Date Flier

From the recent GFWC News&Notes

Women’s History Month: Finding a Home in Dupont Circle

In honor of Women’s History Month this March, GFWC is celebrating the history of the Federation. Visitors to GFWC Headquarters at 1734 N Street NW are often intrigued by its location in the Northwest Washington, DC, neighborhood of Dupont Circle. This neighborhood is a traffic circle, urban park, and historic residential area located at the intersection of several streets. Unlike most traffic rounds, Dupont Circle is also a vibrant urban park where “people watching” is at its best.

Early in the 1870’s, a group known as the “California Syndicate,” led by Nevada Senator William Morris Stewart, bought up tracts of undeveloped land in what was then known as the Pacific Circle. Senator Stewart set the style of the neighborhood when his Victorian Mansion was built in the late 1870’s. In 1882, Congress authorized the construction of a memorial statue of Rear Admiral Samuel Francis DuPont in recognition of his Civil War service. A bronze statue of DuPont was erected in the middle of the Circle in 1884 and it became known as Dupont Circle. In 1921, the statue of DuPont was replaced by a double-tiered white marble fountain, paid for by the DuPont family. The fountain, designed by sculptor Daniel Chester French and architect Henry Bacon, features three classical figures, symbolizing the Sea, the Stars, and the Wind.

GFWC found its home in Dupont Circle in 1922 when clubwomen purchased the stone and brick five-story mansion at 1734 N Street NW that was built in 1875 by Rear Admiral William Radford following his retirement from the U.S. Navy. GFWC Headquarters was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1991.

Learn more about the history of GFWC and the Dupont Circle neighborhood by attending the annual Women’s History Month event from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 9, at GFWC’s Headquarters. You can register to join us for this event through the GFWC Member Portal until Monday, March 7. To attend the Women’s History Month Event and reception, proof of full COVID-19 vaccination is required. A negative COVID-19 test cannot be accepted for admittance to the event, per Washington, DC, guidelines.