Local delegation attends GFWC of Maine fall conference

    ORONO — The General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC) of Maine met at the Black Bear Inn in Oct. 17-18 for their fall conference. More than 70 women from around the state participated in this two-day event. Attending from the GFWC Cosmopolitan Club of Dover-Foxcroft were Suzanne Raymond and Barbette Schafer. Eight members from the Dover-Foxcroft GFWC Miosac Club attending were Vicki Moschella, Minnie McCormick, Betsey Ryan, Athalie Burke, Dorothy Tonick, Barbara Austin, Leona Dow and GFWC Maine State President Anne Cress. Four members  attending from the GFWC Dexter Women’s Literary Club were Laura Neal, Corinne Neal, Jane Gilbert and Elsie Mann. 

Contributed photo

    GFWC MAINE FALL CONFERENCE — Among those attending the GFWC of Maine fall conference in Orono at the Black Bear Inn Oct. 17-18 were front, from left, Vicki Moschella, Minnie McCormick, Betsey Ryan and Athalie Burke. Back, Suzanne Raymond, Barbara Austin, Dorothy Tonick, GFWC Maine State President Anne Cress and Leona Dow.

    Special guest speaker was GFWC New England Region President Judy Maguire from Laconia, N.H. Maguire spoke about personal growth through education and leadership, volunteerism and developing new friendships as a member of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs. She said, “It does not matter which step or challenge we take on our next journey, as long as we can empower each person within our circle of influence, to achieve their best!”
    She began as a clubwomen in 1999 and quickly took on the role of club president for three terms. She served as New Hampshire State President 2006-08 and is now enjoying her second year as GFWC NER president. 
    A highlight of the conference was a mini-seminar entitled, “A taste of LEADS”. LEADS is an acronym for “Leadership, Education and Development Seminar.” This condensed seminar was presented by the most recent GFWC Maine LEADS graduate, Joyce Noonan who is club president of the GFWC Skowhegan Woman’s Club, along with GFWC Maine Leadership Chairman, Raejean Hersey, of the GFWC Pittsfield Arts Club. 
    Five GFWC Maine LEADS graduates took part in this very delightful and informative seminar along with the help of fourteen Club LEADS delegates. This LEADS program is one of the most valuable programs GFWC has available for its members. It covers presentations on conflict resolution, mediation, public speaking skills, time management, and parliamentary procedures. It also covers tips and techniques for pursuing leadership opportunities.
    Erich Hunter, luncheon speaker from the United Way of Eastern Maine, provided information about the many different ways the United Way and GFWC Maine Clubs may work together to better serve the people of Maine.  He is a known champion of health and human service providers in our state. By working closely with top corporate partners, Hunter rallies incredible support for local programs focused on improving the health, education, and income standards for everyone living and working in Eastern Maine. 
    Danny Baker, a magician from Brewer, provided entertainment with his wonderful performance at the evening banquet on Oct. 17. Baker has been practicing and performing the art of magic for the past 40 years. He combines magic and illusion with intense audience participation and outrageous comedy. Baker has won many awards over the years, and finds it interesting and rewarding to be able to meet and share his talents with people from all walks of life. 
    State chairmen of several programs and committees provided updates on the arts, education, public issues, conservation, home life and the GFWC Signature Project: domestic violence awareness and prevention. A sum of $910 was donated to the GFWC “Success for Survivors Scholarship” which helps women who have escaped domestic violence relationships to better their lives by continuing their education.  October is designated Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Month. 
    The President’s Special Project Chairman, Minnie McCormick, reported over $5,000 of in-kind donations and more than $1,200 has been given to “Newborns in Need” through GFWC Maine. At this conference, another $1,400 of in-kind items were donated, and an additional $1,700 is ready to be sent to this non-profit charity to insure no baby is without the needed essentials.
    Two beneficial workshops were provided to the members. The first was a club and chairman reporting workshop to assist GFWC Maine club presidents and chairmen with the most updated forms and easier to understand guidelines. The second workshop was entitled, “How To Write Your Club’s History, with many clubs near and over 100 years old,
    It is important each club research back to their beginnings and collect all the records and information available. That information then needs to be compiled by the most modern means of technology for future generations of clubwomen to enjoy. There are currently 23 GFWC Clubs in Maine and 570 members. The theme for GFWC Maine during the 2012-14 Administration is, “Volunteer Stewards … Joyfully Serving and Giving to Others”. President Cress stated, “This theme simply states who we are as GFWC Maine Clubwomen.”  The new tagline for GFWC is, “ Living the Volunteer Spirit”. 
    If any woman of any age is interested in becoming a member of a GFWC Maine Club to help others in their communities, please call 717-7576. The national website is www.gfwc.org and the Maine website can be visited at www.gfwcmaine.org.