FEDERATION SPEAKS
THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE
GENERAL FEDERATION OF WOMEN’S CLUBS OF ARKANSAS
Organized and Federated 1897
Incorporated 1928
Spring 2015 Issue
Message from the GFWC-AR State President
GFWC-AR, State President
Linda McCourt
Click on the GFWC
emblem; the link is a short
cut and will take you to
GFWC International.
Hello Federation Sisters:
I want to say how pleased and proud I am of the
GFWC Arkansas Club Women. You have worked so
hard, and the numbers I turned into GFWC were
amazing. Please attend the GFWC Arkansas State
Convention the first weekend in May to hear these
numbers.
We will have as our special guest for the
convention, Mary Ellen Brock, GFWC 1st Vice
President.
The Friday night dinner will be casual. I want you
to be comfortable and able to relax after your day of
traveling.
There will be Budget and Finance Meeting at 2 pm
and the Executive Meeting at 3 pm. There will be a
brief meeting at 4:30 pm for the Club and District
Presidents and the Department Chairman. This will be
quick and mainly a question and answer session.
The Saturday business session will start at 9 am so
dress comfortable—casual to business casual. The
Banquet will be a little dressier so dress as you feel
comfortable—Sunday dress, cocktail, or formal. There
will be a processional and those processing will be the
Club Presidents, District Presidents, Past State
Presidents, and the State Officers.
Sunday’s session will begin at 8:30 am; you can
bring in your breakfast and be dressed for travel.
Hopefully we will be finished before 11 am.
I look forward to seeing you at the Convention, and
I hope you plan to attend some of the GFWC
International Convention in Memphis. It will be a
celebration of the 125th Anniversary of GFWC.
GFWCA OFFICERS 2014-2016
Linda McCourt
President
Diane Fowler
President-Elect
Dr. Diana Glaze
Vice-President
Connie Cloinger
Secretary
Marianne Maynard
Treasurer
Mary Ann Arnold
Historian
Kathy Williams
Advisor
Kathy Wilburn
Parliamentarian
Debbie Thomas
Corresponding Secretary
Clydine Davis
Counselor
—Linda McCourt, GFWC-AR State President
Memorial Service Information
Debbie Kehrli, State Chaplain
The Memorial Service will be on
Sunday, May 3, at spring convention.
118th GFWC of ARKANSAS Spring Convention
Please send me information on any
member deceased since last May’s
convention no later than by Monday,
April 27.
May 1-3, 2015
Include the name and any information
about the member you would like to share.
Mail to: PO Box 568
Cherokee Village, AR 72725
or email at [email protected]
Wyndham Hotel in North Little Rock, AR
Registration form is on the following page!
118th GFWC of ARKANSAS Spring Convention Registration Form
May 1-3, 2015 - Wyndham Hotel in North Little Rock, AR
Name_________________________________________________________________
Club and City __________________________________________________________
First Name on Tag ______________________________________________________
Registration Fee $10.00 if made before deadline or $15.00 after the deadline $_______
Friday Dinner - $40.00
Chicken Marsala, salad, veggies, dessert, & beverages
$_______
Saturday Luncheon - $20.00
Classic Chef Salad, beverages, & dessert
$_______
Saturday Banquet - $40.00
Marinated Flank Steak, salad, veggies, dessert & beverages
$_______
BREAKFASTS WILL BE PROVIDED IN THE HOTEL DINING ROOM FOR HOTEL GUESTS
WITH TICKETS GIVEN AT CHECK IN. CHECK YOUR
PROGRAM FOR THE TIME AND PLACE FOR THE SUNDAY MEETING.
REGISTRATION FORM DEADLINE – WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22ND
ROOM RATES - $89.95 single/double plus tax with $10 each additional person.
Limit 4 to a room. Rollaways are $15.00 each per day.
FOR HOTEL RESERVATIONS: Call Wyndham Riverfront directly by APRIL 10TH to secure special
room rates. Mention code name – General Federation of Women’s Clubs
Hotel telephone is 501-371-9000 (ask for in house reservations).
PLEASE NOTE ANY FOOD ALLERGIES OR DIABETIC ______________________
_______________________________________________________________________
Amount Enclosed: Food Total $100 + Registration = $110.00 $__________
Make checks payable to: GFWC of Arkansas and send with this registration form to:
Debbie Hall, 5701 Free Ferry Rd., #33, Ft. Smith, AR 72903 Phone 479- 646-5793
Federation Speaks Spring 2015 Issue
GFWC Harrison District VI
Debbie Kehrli, President, District VI
A St. Patrick's Day theme was used by the host GFWC Quapaw Women's Club as 25 clubwomen attended the
spring meeting of District VI at the Dinner Bell in Mtn. Home. State president Linda McCourt was the honored guest.
Student art sponsored by Twentieth Century Club will enter the state Ten Penny Art contest, along with the club
scrapbook and yearbook. Club presidents shared their club's annual report of volunteerism, detailing many great
projects. An update on Human Trafficking was given by President Debbie Kehrli. Debbie challenged everyone with a
smartphone to join the UNICEF clean water project by going to UNICEFTapProject.org on phone, log in with their
name and email, and set their phone down. Every 15 minutes the phone is still & not in use will provide one day of
clean water to a child, funded by clothier Giorgio Armani.
A donation was taken up to support the district president's project, angel gowns. In closing, numerous beautiful
pottery items from Mexico were given as door prizes.
GFWC Little Rock District VII
Katherine Foust, President, District VII
GFWC of Arkansas Little Rock District Vll spring meeting was held at the University of Arkansas Community
College of Morrilton on March 13,2015.
We had to reschedule from March 7th because of Arkansas weather. We had 29 in attendance,
with State President Linda McCourt and granddaughter, Camran, as guests. Reports were given by the chairmen
and each report gave an account of good work and great generosity by our GFWC ladies.
We had attendance from each of our five (5) clubs: GFWC Adelaide Club, GFWC Century League Club of Morrilton, GFWC Literary Coterie Club, GFWC North Little Rock Woman's Club, GFWC Pathfinder Club.
GFWC Young Community League of AHS
This spring the Women's Community League of Alma (WCLA) decided to
start a Juniorette club for high school girls in an effort to introduce young
women to community service and philanthropy. A Juniorette club is a GFWC
club for girls in Jr. High or High School that serves as it's own entity with
women from the local GFWC women's organization as advisers.
The new Juniorette club is for girls in grades 9-12 in the Alma area. The
WCLA is providing startup funds to assist them with opening a bank account
and planning their first event, as well as providing members as advisers at
the meetings, and volunteer opportunities at WCLA events.
The new club has had three official meetings and has chosen a name,
the GFWC Young Community League of AHS; a symbol, an oil lantern; and
club colors, maroon and sparkly gold. At the club's most recent meeting,
GFWC Young Community League of AHS
they adopted an official set of bylaws. The club currently has 10 members,
and the girls are planning a back to school bash for the fall as a recruitment
Darian Dyer, Secretary; Joslyn Scruggs, 1st VP;
event. The Young Community League plans to help run the water station
at a local 5K that is sponsored by the WCLA in April, and will plan their own Charis Wilson, President; Lara Bowles, 2nd VP;
and Kaitlyn Brasher, Treasurer
fundraiser and community event in the fall.
In addition to helping young girls develop leadership and community
service, the WCLA is seeking to help local girls seeking to continue their education in college. The WCLA is establishing
a scholarship fund for graduating seniors who have participated in the Young Community League program. Girls will
earn points toward a scholarship by attending meetings, holding club office, planning events, and volunteering at local
community organizations and event.
The WCLA hopes that other women's clubs in Arkansas will be inspired to sponsor a club for young girls in their
area, as well. Juniorette clubs are a great way for local GFWC groups to invest in the future of their community by
building strong female leaders who will contribute to the community for years to come.
Federation Speaks Spring 2015 Issue
GFWC 20th Century Club—District VI
20th Century Club’s “Lights of Love” was held
Dec. 6. About 3000 luminaries were placed on graves &
lighted at dusk. Many community groups assisted.
Donations will be used for Maplewood Cemetery tree
restoration. Front row: Marilyn Beard, Charlotte Parker,
Pat Kennedy, Sue Tennyson, Mary Speice, Kathleen
Mullen, Back row: Glenna Ragan, Jean Johnson, LeAnn
Johnson, Shirley Wright, Glenda Curtis, Kay Hodnett,
Jane Adair, Diana Ezell, Wilma Pollock & Carlene Morris.
20th Century Club members purchased (3) laundry
baskets and filled with household goods and cleaning
supplies which were presented to the young mothers
participating in the “Circle of Life” program. From left are
Wilma Pollock, Joy Polus, Jane Adair, Fern Reynolds, Lena
Boswell, & Mary Speice.
With help from other sponsors, the 20th Century Club
purchased & presented student dictionaries to third grade
students in Boone County. Far right is Glena Curtis, Education
Chair with third grade students and teachers at Eagle Heights
Elementary School.
20th Century Club members rotated
shifts working at Maplewood Cemetery
“Lights of Love”. From left are Mary
Pledger, Carlene Morris, Kay Hodnett, Jane
Adair, Glenda Curtis, and Lena Boswell.
Federation Speaks Spring 2015 Issue
GFWC Quapaw Women’s Club—District VI
The women of GFWC Quapaw WC of Cherokee Village
provided Christmas stockings and candy for the 25 children at a
local special needs preschool. This project was the first annual
club project adopted and provides joy to all.
GFWC Stuttgart Junior Woman's Club—District VIII
Our largest fundraiser of the year is our Creole Supper. We host the only creole supper in our area so this brings out
large numbers of customers hungry for creole. The event lasts all day and takes weeks of planning. We offer a lunch
delivery to businesses in town and a drive thru at St Johns School in the evening. All members participate in either the
morning or evening shifts or baking pies and running errands. The proceeds are used to contribute to our Charla Jo Stone
Memorial scholarship program that we offer to senior students in the area.
Our chapter had 27 members in attendance with over 160 volunteer hours for our annual creole
upper. We sold and prepared 600 creole dinners and baked 85 pies.
Federation Speaks Spring 2015 Issue
GFWC Timely Club of Hardy—Northeast District I & II
Check out our website gfwctimelyclub.weebly.com
GFWC Timely Club members annually present a
Thesaurus to each third grade student in Cherokee
Elementary School of Highland School District; this year
we presented books to at least 140 students which is
personally theirs to take home. Principal Meg Barnes
introduced club members and walked students through
an introduction of their new book and discussed with
students how this can aid them in their writing and assist
with literacy skills.
If you are in Spring River country Saturday, April 11,
the GFWC Timely Club will host its Fifth Annual Ladies
Day Extravaganza in the A. L. Hutson Memorial Center
on the campus of Highland School from 9 am to 2 pm.
We invite you to visit our many vendors and take
advantage of one stop shopping. There will be
approximately 40 vendors on display with jewelry,
home décor, quilting, fashion, home improvement and
the latest in makeup and hair for “A New You”.
There is no admittance charge; however, we ask
that you bring a non-perishable food item as a donation.
These items will be donated to an area food bank.
The “Apple Blossom Bistro” will be open for those
who are hungry and need to be rejuvenated; we will
want everyone to keep their energy levels at a high
speed.
This has become one of our most successful
fundraising activities. JOIN US AND HAVE FUN!!!!!
Members L to R: Carolyn, Jan, Margo,
Judy, Cindy, Marilyn, Sherry
GFWC Timely Club members
donate magazines and books on a
monthly basis to the Eaglecrest
Nursing and Rehab library
Photo: Member Jan Lusk presents
magazines to the Activities Director.
Upcoming Dates to Remember:
*March 28-Northeast District I & II Spring Meeting
*April 11-Ladies Day Extravaganza, 9 am—2 pm
*April 14 - 17th Annual Student Art Show, 5-7 pm
We recognize over 125+ student artists in K-12 as selected
by their art teachers.
*May 1-3 118th GFWC of Arkansas Spring Convention
*June 13-15 2015 GFWC Annual Convention
Federation Speaks Spring 2015 Issue
GFWC Van Buren Women’s League—District V
GFWC of Van Buren members Carolyn Loyd, Christa Nishmuta, and Debbie
Thomas represent Women’s League as they volunteer at the Chamber of
Commerce Prime Time Expo. The event was movie themed and set a creative
atmosphere for new businesses to network along with local organizations and
active community members.
It was a "big" night for one lucky winner as GFWC-Women's League of Van Buren hosted its annual Big
Bucks Dinner on Tuesday (Mar. 10) evening.
Held at the Van Buren Public Library, the evening included food, a silent auction, and a unique reverse
drawing that made for some exciting moments and a tense countdown to the final reveal.
More than 100 members, supporters, and guests attended the Women's League's signature
fundraiser. First held in the 1980s, the event has become a long-standing tradition for the organization
and Van Buren.
"This fundraiser is crucial to our organization, in that it helps raise valuable dollars to benefit our
Community Impact Projects," said Viki Kilgore, president of the Women's League of Van Buren. "Our
members proudly support a number of projects in the community, including the Boys & Girls Club of Van
Buren's SMART (Skills Mastery and Resistance Training) Girls program, our annual VBHS senior
scholarship, Girls State candidate, and other worthy causes."
Each year, the Club adopts a Community Improvement Project for which it raises funds and
awareness. Past items have included the restoration of the Hebe statue at the historic Crawford County
Courthouse, reading rockers at the Van Buren Public Library, a scoreboard for the softball fields at Field of
Dreams, and more. The group also hosts a unique "Make It, Bake It, or Fake It " auction at Christmas to
raise money to purchase gifts for deserving charities and local families in need.
"Our Club has a rich legacy of service to the community and we are proud to have a reputation as a
group that gets things done," said Kilgore. "Some of our members have been involved for decades and
some of those here tonight have been buying tickets for this event nearly since its inception."
A large crowd gathers at the Van Buren
Public Library for the dinner and drawing.
For additional information and pictures about the Women's League of
Van Buren's annual Big Bucks Dinner go to this website.
http://www.thecitywire.com/node/36768#.VQDUmfxzqyw.facebook
League Members (from left)
Connie Martin, Cathy Gifford, and
Hannah Nishmuta show off some of
their silent auction prizes.
Federation Speaks Spring 2015 Issue
GFWC Story
Have you visited GFWC.org lately?
There are changes; check it out!
The General Federation of Women’s Clubs
is interested in your questions and comments. You can contact us at:
GFWC Headquarters
1734 N Street NW
Washington, DC 20036-2990
Toll-free: 1-800-443-GFWC (4392)
Phone: 202-347-3168
Fax: 202-835-0246
Email: [email protected]
GFWC Mission
The General Federation of Women’s Clubs is an
international women’s organization dedicated to
community improvement by enhancing the lives of
others through volunteer service.
—GFWC.org
Founded in 1890, GFWC’s roots can be raced back to 1868
when Jane Cunningham Croly, a professional journalist, attempted
to attend a dinner at an all-male press club honoring British
novelist Charles Dickens. Croly was denied admittance based upon
her gender, and in response, formed a woman’s club—Sorosis. In
celebration of Sorosis’ 21st anniversary in 1889, Jane Croly invited
women’s clubs throughout the United States to pursue the cause
of federation by attending a convention in New York City. On April
24, 1890, 63 clubs officially formed the General Federation of
Women’s Club by ratifying the GFWC constitution.
Since 1890, GFWC’s impact has been felt throughout
communities across the Unites States and the globe.
—GFWC.org
Federation Speaks Spring 2015 Issue
March 10, 2015
As we move closer to the 2015 GFWC Annual Convention in
Memphis, Tennessee from June 13-15, the Call to Convention is
your best source for details and information on the activities,
worlshops, guest speakers, accommodations, voting rules, and
much more. The Call to Convention will be available soon as part
of the March+April issue of GFWC Clubwoman Magazine, but with
the opening of Registration, we want members to be able to plan
their Memphis trip as soon as they’re able, so we’re happy to offer
the Call as a downloadable PDF file exclusively on GFWC.org.
Simply click the cover image, or the linked text above to start your
download. We hope to see you in Memphis in June as GFWC
celebrates 125 years of Living the Volunteer Spirit!
GFWC.org (download page)
Click on the above text, and you will
be directed to the download page at
GFWC International for quick access.
Purchase a shot@life pen and
support the shot@life project.
GFWC-AR President Linda
McCourt will have these
at the district and state
conventions or you can order
directly from Linda.
The cost is $5/pen.
Arkansas Federation Speaks
Reminder to all GFWC-AR clubs
Please send your district and club news and pictures (.jpg or .png format) to me at the address below.
News and information for the summer issue needs to be submitted the first week of June.
Email to: [email protected]
Or Mail to: Jan Lusk, Facilitator
Arkansas Federation Speaks
PO Box 33, Ash Flat, AR 72513
870-994-2491 (home-voice mail)
We want to know how you demonstrate “Living the Volunteer Spirit”.