Local clubwomen attend GFWC Maine Spring Convention
By Anne Cress
BANGOR — Six women from the Dover-Foxcroft GFWC MIOSAC Club attended the General Federation of Women’s Clubs Maine Spring Convention at the Hilton Garden Inn in Bangor May 14-15. Members attending were Suzanne Raymond, state president; Anne Cress, state meetings chair and club treasurer; Laurie Ducat, club president; Minnie McCormick, club vice president; Vicki Moschella, club scrapbook editor, and Betsey Ryan, who served as the president’s page for this convention. Fifty-one clubwomen attended this two-day event.
Suellen Brazil, 55th GFWC International president from Daphne, Alabama, brought greetings from GFWC Headquarters in Washington, D.C. where she has resided the past two years while serving as president. Under her administration banner of “EDUCATE, ENGAGE, EMPOWER” the cornerstone has been engaging others in purposeful conversations, equipping them with knowledge and skills to make notable differences and empowering members to unite with others to unleash a commanding force – the Circle of Influence – to address today’s issues.
The 2024-26 GFWC Maine Administration’s theme is “Breaking Barriers – Offering Hope.” Raymond has stated, “Throughout our lives we all encounter obstacles that prevent us from moving forward. The volunteer work we do helps in so many ways to help remove a BARRIER from the lives of others, thereby we are in the business of bringing HOPE.”
CONVENTION — Members of the GFWC Miosac Club attending the GFWC Maine Spring Convention in Bangor May 14-15 were, from left, Betsey Ryan, convention page; Anne Cress, meetings chair; Laurie Ducat, club president; Suzanne Raymond, state president; Vicki Moschella, club scrapbook chair; and Minnie McCormick, club vice president.
The President’s Special Project for this term is St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital located in Memphis, Tennessee. Danny Thomas founded this hospital which opened in 1962. The survival rate for children with cancer then was 20%. It is now 80%! Raymond has said, “Together we can make a substantial impact, and I encourage you to participate in OFFERING HOPE in the lives of children by supporting St. Jude’s Mission – Finding Cures. Saving Children.”
During this two-year administration, the clubwomen of Maine have donated over $8,500 to this mission.
We welcomed Mary Marin Taylor, executive director of Literacy Volunteers of Bangor, to speak about the important work of this organization. Clubwomen brought nearly 500 books to be distributed by Literacy Volunteers to the families they serve in the surrounding areas.
Reports and presentations were read and enjoyed from the chair of many GFWC Maine programs and projects. Some of those presentations were Arts & Culture, Education & Libraries, Civic Engagement & Outreach and many more.
“An Evening of Harmony and Hope” honoring the state past presidents, current officers and the international president was held at the end of the day. After the banquet everyone enjoyed the musical talents of the “Hearts in Harmony Chorus” from the Bangor area. This group has been singing 4-part harmony barbershop style acapella since they formed this group in 2017. It was a fabulous end to a fabulous day.
A memorial service was held on the morning of May 15 to honor the eight Maine clubwomen who passed away during the past year. It is a shared time together to remember the clubwomen who have given so much of themselves in volunteer service and will not be forgotten. GFWC Maine State Necrologist Cress led this emotional and heartfelt service for the loss of these members. Butterflies were placed on the remembrance tree, and a candle was lit in memory of each lost member.
A Journey to Share” presented by Brazil and GFWC Maine President-elect Nancy Ames, who also serves as GFWC International Liaisons chair, spoke about their travels to Belize for several days to visit the five GFWC clubs. They enjoyed the children and adults they met and worked on service projects during their stay.
The installation of officers for 2026-28 administration was conducted by Brazil, which included the following: Nancy Ames, president; Gloria Aurelio, president-elect; Lisa Hanson, vice president; Jennifer Mabee, recording secretary; Raymond, treasurer; and Davida Barter, parliamentary advisor.
The GFWC MIOSAC Club was pleased that Moschella, scrapbook editor, won first place in their division and received a monetary award for the club.Several other awards were received, notably the Civic Engagement and Outreach Award for “Put Another Blanket on Your Bed.” The club had partnered with the Maine Veterans Project in Bangor for their annual Thanksgiving outreach event to support veterans. Other awards were won in Arts and Culture, Civic Engagement and Outreach, and Fundraising.
At the conclusion of the convention, all members circled the room. While joining hands, they sang, “Let There Be Peace on Earth”, a very heartfelt time, singing this prayerful song for world peace.
Additional information about GFWC may be obtained by going to www.gfwc.org or www.gfwcmaine.org. If interested in joining the GFWC MIOSAC Club, interested women of all ages can call Cress at 207-717-7576 to learn more about the club and to consider joining an organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of others, through volunteer service to community, country and beyond.