GFWC of Massachusetts, Junior Membership

Board Meeting Minutes

March 9, 2016
Call to order
Director of Junior Clubs Diane McCurley called to order the March Board meeting of the GFWC of Massachusetts
Junior Membership at 7:07 p.m. at Headquarters in Sudbury, MA.
The Junior Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United State of America were recited.
Roll call
Recording Secretary Jen Nowak conducted roll call: 20 present, 3 excused and 1 absent
Approval of minutes
Minutes of the January Executive Board Meeting on 1/20/16 were approved as corrected.
Correspondence
Corresponding Secretary Cindy Brogan reported no correspondence at this time.
Treasurers Report
Beginning Balance
+ Income
+ Interest
-Disbursements
Ending Balance

$21,270.89
4,384.00
2.73
5,965.50
$19,692.12

Welcome and Introductions

Director of Junior Clubs Diane McCurley welcomed the board members and thanked Ellen Burns, Elaine Mellen
and Joyce Clark for preparing the meal. A fun GFWC quiz was played and the winner received a prize.
Report of Officers

DM
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X

MC

JN

CB

NC

X
X

X
X

X
X
X

X
X

Date
Multiple
1/24/16
2/10/16
2/13/16
2/25/16
3/3/16
3/3/16
3/5/16
1/31 & 3/6

Event
Germain Lawrence Campus Library Volunteer
PJSO Meeting / Bay State Contemporary Club Meeting
Site Visit Boston-Newton Marriott
GFWC of MA Midwinter Meeting - Westford
Officers Meeting GFWC Headquarters
March Club Institute
GFWC of MA Executive Board Meeting
Norwood Juniors Fundraiser Beer & Wine Tasting
Juniorette Meetings

Counselor to Junior Membership - Elfriede Parker - Absent

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Reports of Chairman
o Arts Mary Kemp/Nancy Coughlin today 3/9 is National Coloring Book Day, April 9th is Slow Art Day go
to a local museum and look at 5 pieces of art slowly. Requested time at annual conference for Project
Runway Challenge, and reminded the board that submission forms are due in 4/16. Coloring pages and
colored pencils were passed around for board members to color in honor of the day.
o Conservation Jean Zucker excused no report
o Education Ellen Burns reporting It was moved by Ellen Burns and seconded to allocate funds for 3
Ricky Gomes Scholarships at $500 each. This passed. There will be 3 scholarships awarded to children of
clubwomen at annual conference. Announcements will be made at the evening session.
o Home Life Jeanne Dee CCI challenge is due in at conference. If clubs are looking to get cans for the NE
Region CCI Challenge contact Erika Henschel at CCI. A reminder that there will be a collection of toiletry
items for International Conference.
o International Outreach Cindy Brogan Walgreens Pharmacy is supporting Shot @ Life by donating shots
and vitamins to needy countries. For any flu & pneumonia shots given and vitamins purchased the store
will donate to the cause. Cindy reported 11 reports received this year. Alaffia from Africa sells beauty
products via the internet, this company promotes Empowerment and Fair Trade focusing on womens
health and education of African women.
o Public Issues Katie Robey Wreaths Across America Day will be 12/17/16 this year. Jen Nowak has
contacted council about setting up the GFWC of MA and GFWC of MA Junior Membership as a fundraiser
for WAA. By becoming a fundraiser for WAA for every 2 wreaths purchased 1 wreath will be donated
increasing the wreaths that will be laid this year. Once Council responds Jen will get the paperwork done.
Katie reported the 12 clubs turned in state reports.
o Advocates for Children Theresa Frias Encouraged board members to spread the word out making sure
all safety equipment for children is correctly fit with the spring upon us and children going out to play.
o Domestic Violence Samantha Rudd 8 clubs turned in reports. Also reminded board to be aware of the
possible domestic violence situations that could be happening out in public safely help if needed or call
for help if you do not feel you are able to help yourself.
o Communications and Public Relations Donna Shibley - reminded the board to keep an eye on the GFWC
Face Book page. Many topics of interest are posted. Also reported on the GFWC App for your phones
and suggested if you have not downloaded it that you should.
o Community Improvement Award Nancy Clark the 2014-2016 contest is completed, now is the time to
think of a project for the 2016-2018 contest.
o Fundraising T Jablanski 13 clubs submitted reports. This chairman felt there was still some confusion
by clubs when submitting the fundraising report. A suggestion was to offer a Sample Report for next
year to help clarify what should be in this report.
o Leadership Jen Nowak The chairmen were thanked for writing their Top 10 entries for their program
area and their chairman report. Chairman point sheets were due tonight, all were turned in or will follow
the next day. Diane Murphy and Martha Casassa reported that the Randolph Club that had many
donations in memory of Marta L DiBenedetto, turned over the funds to Mass Youth Leadership
Foundation to award scholarships to alumni of the MassStar Program.
o Membership Martha Casassa 11 clubs turned in Membership reports and 5 Martha Michalewich
entries were received. Announced the International Womens Day was 3/8/16. Name Badges are being
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offered for Sale to clubs or members that are interested. The order form has been emailed, orders are
due in early April so they can be delivered at annual conference. The option of paying a flat rate posted if
club members are not attending conference. Jen Nowak will handle these orders.
Meetings Marisa Jablanski Junior Fun Night will consist of a game which Marisa will organize. This will
happen Friday 4/22 at the Marriott.
Nominating Diane Murphy - Announced the following slate of officers for the 2016-2018 administration:
Assistant Director - Jen Nowak, Recording Secretary Jeanne Dee, Corresponding Secretary Nancy
Coughlin, Treasurer Nancy Clark. For District Representative/Nominating Committee: Cape Mary
Baird, Northern Open, South Central Diane McCurley, Southern/Metro West open, South Shore
Joyce Clark and Western Marisa Jablanski.
Webmaster Nancy Clark please sent activities to be posted on the calendar.

District /Nominating Reps

Upcoming Activities include: Marlborough Trivia Night 3/12, Taunton Soup Sampler 3/12, Dedham Spring Tea 5/1,
Agawam Thursday Night Therapy 3/31.
Unfinished Business
o Reporting the idea of electronic reporting was discussed, most chairman were in favor. Any changes
and updates will be decided by the next administration. Chairman were Thanked for their efforts at this
years reporting, some state reports are completed the rest will be done by the end of the week.
o Standing Rules - More updates were sent to board members prior to meeting tonight. These were voted
on, all changes will be made to the standing rules and an updated copy will be posted to the website.
o GFWC Campaign for the Future Jr. Membership was challenged by GFWC of MA to make a donation of
$1000 to the campaign. Martha Casassa moved to donate $1023 it was seconded and passed. The $23
extra is in honor of each board member that serves.
New Business
o New England Region is asking each state to donate $25 for the raffle prize NER will donate for the GFWC
International Convention. Jr. Membership will also donate $25 from the Rainboutique monies collected
this administration.
o Annual Conference Review Jr. Fun Night game will be a pay to play (or watch) all proceeds will be
donated to the Denna Lainge Fund. Denna Lainge was wounded at a hockey game played 1/1/16. Again
this year we will do a project for Lynn Sullivans project RIA House. Board members were asked to bring a
purse or two that could be filled with toiletry items. RIA House can use these items. Confirmed speakers
are Hank Phillippi Ryan (Author) and a graduate of Youth Villages. Marisa Jablanski and the Director will
be meeting with hotel event co-ordinator this week to finalize meals and pricing. The Call will go out after
all items are finalized.
o No More signs were passed out to show support of Domestic Violence and a picture was taken for Face
Book after the meeting adjourned.
o Announcement about planting Daffodils on the race route needed volunteers. 4/15 at 9 am if you can.
o Next Board meeting April 13, 2016 at Headquarters in Sudbury.

Adjournment
Diane McCurley presented the closing thought from Sheri Dew, publisher, True leaders understand that
leadership is not about them but about those they serve. It is not about exalting themselves but about lifting
others up. I am grateful for all the women leaders in the room who are constantly making our organization and
our world a better place. Thank you for being you!
The Junior Pledge was recited.
Diane McCurley adjourned the meeting at 9:37 p.m.
Minutes submitted by: Jen Nowak, Recording Secretary
Minutes approved as written on: 4/13/16