Welcome to the GFWC Illinois Metamora-Germantown Hills Junior Woman’s Club!

We understand there is much information to absorb but please take the time to read over the “What Is?” section. This way, you, as a member, are well informed of club activities and their purposes. Hopefully, some of your questions will be answered below.  If you have further questions, please feel free to call any of the board members.

WHAT IS GFWC?

The General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC) is an international women’s organization dedicated to community improvement by enhancing the lives of others through volunteer service. The GFWC, one of the world’s largest and oldest women’s volunteer community service organizations, was founded in 1890 and is headquartered in Washington, DC. GFWC has more than 100,000 members in affiliated clubs in every state and over a dozen countries. GFWC members support the arts, preserve natural resources, promote education, encourage healthy lifestyles, stress civic involvement, and work toward world peace and understanding.

WHAT IS THE GREAT LAKE REGIONS?

In GFWC, clubs are divided into 8 regions depending on location. The Metamora-Germantown Hills Junior Woman’s Club is a member of the Great Lake Region. The membership consists of the state federations of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin. The purpose of the GFWC Great Lakes Region is to promote a better understanding of the structure, programs, challenges and objectives of the General Federation of Women's Clubs.

WHAT IS GFWC ILLINOIS?

The GFWC Illinois is an organization with international affiliation dedicated to community improvement by enhancing the lives of others through volunteer service. GFWC Illinois was founded in 1895 and is headquartered in Joliet, Illinois.  Illinois is proud to have 182 Women’s clubs, 59 Junior Women’s Club, and 6 Juniorette Clubs for a total of 8318 members of GFWC working hard to improve their communities.  The Metamora-Germantown Hills Junior Woman’s Club is in federation with the General Federation of Women’s Clubs in Illinois.

WHAT IS THE 17TH DISTRICT?

In the State of Illinois, clubs are divided into districts depending on location.  The Metamora-Germantown Hills Junior Woman’s Club is a member of the Central Region and is a member of the 17th District.  The 17th District includes all GFWC Illinois Federation of Women’s Clubs in the Livingston – Logan - McLean - Woodford counties.  There are 16 clubs in the 17th District.  There is also a Junior District within the 17^th General District with 7 clubs.

WHAT IS THE METAMORA-GERMANTOWN HILLS JUNIOR WOMAN’S CLUB?

The Metamora-Germantown Hills Junior Woman’s Club was organized February 25, 1971.  We are a non-profit volunteer organization whose purpose is the improvement of social, moral, and educational conditions in the community and state, to encourage personal growth, and to foster lasting friendships. We are comprised of a membership of women, who must be at least 18 years of age.  We are single, married, working and homemakers.

WHAT IS THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE METAMORA-GERMANTOWN HILLS JUNIOR WOMAN’S CLUB? 

The Executive Committee of the MGHJWC consists of the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Parliamentary Advisor. 

The roles of President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer are defined in the club Bylaws.

Parliamentary Advisor – Parliamentary Advisor is the outgoing or another former President who assists the President should there be any problems or questions during the club year.

The elected Executive Committee will be installed at the Installation Banquet in May and will officially take office at the changeover board meeting in June.

WHAT IS THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS?

The Board of Directors consists of the Executive Committee and Standing Committee Chairman in the areas of Avenue of Flags, Budget, Bylaws, Community Improvement Program (CIP), Junior of the Year/Outstanding Service, Reporting, Public Relations, and Ways & Means.  The term for each of these positions (except CIP) is one year.

The Board of Directors have the power to create, unite or discontinue departments, standing committees, or special committees as need arises, oversee all business not provided in the Bylaws subject to the approval of the Junior Woman’s Club.

 Chairman of the Standing Committees mentioned above will be selected by the Incoming President by the 

 Installation Banquet in May.

 To become a member of the board of directors, you must be a member in good standing who has attended      

  meetings and volunteered for service work.

WHAT IS A CHAIRMAN?

The chairman makes programs work. 

The chairman…

           Utilizes tools and materials from GFWC and department/committee binder to effectively implement successful programs. 

           Works closely with the Board of Directors and members of the committee on promoting and implementing programs.

           Is the spokesman for the committee in reporting to the Board of Directors.

           Organizes and coordinates work of committee.

           Reads the state publications and GFWC Clubwoman magazine for program updates.

           Promotes club program(s) to potential members, media, etc.

The chairman of an area is selected by the Incoming President.  The term is for 1 year.  The office will officially begin at the Changeover Board Meeting in June with the previous Chairman handing over all materials from the previous year.

If a member would like to be chairman of an area, she must be considered a member in good standing (attend business meetings and participate in service work).  A member may request to the Incoming President if she meets such qualification which area she would like to preside over.

WHAT IS A COMMITTEE?

Committtes are vital to our club.  They allow us to carry on a number of activities at the same time.

GFWC IL MGHJWC types of committees:

Standing Committee is a permanent committee that continues from year to year with changing personnel.

Department Committee is a committee which focuses on a department in club.

Special Committee is a committee formed to do a specific task.  Ex. Budget, Bylaws, etc.

When you join GFWC IL MGHJWC, you are asked what “Department Committee” to which you would like to belong.  Each member is required to be a part of at least 1 department, which requires a committee such as Art, Conservation, Education, Home Life, International Affairs, and Public Affairs. 

ALL MEMBERS are a part of the Ways & Means Standing Committee.

The “chairman” will preside over the committee.  She will make all announcements, concerns, ideas before the Board of Directors and present approved plans before the members at the business meeting.

It is very important that you be active and support your chairman on the committee for which you are signed-up.

A member who is part of a committee of a special area is NOT required to attend Board meetings.

STANDING COMMITTEES

 WHAT IS AVENUE OF FLAGS?

The Avenue of Flags is a project that the Metamora-Germantown Hills Junior Woman’s Club began in 1991.  It’s a flag display in the Metamora Park on the Square, which is in honor or memory of a veteran.  Anyone in the community has the opportunity to purchase a flag.  Cost is $40.00. The veteran’s name is placed on a plaque and displayed in the park on the days that the flags are displayed. The flags are displayed three times a year, (weather

permitting) Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Veteran’s Day.

The Avenue of Flags Chairman is responsible for receiving and placing flag orders.  She is in charge of having members set up and take down flags on the designated days.  She oversees the conditions of the flag holes, caps, etc.

To date 211 flags have been sold.

WHAT IS COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM?

The Community Improvement Program (CIP), co-sponsored by the GFWC and the Shell Oil Company, is a nationwide program of community action based on community need. Any type of project answering a community need may be entered in the program.  The diverse range of projects includes such areas as crime reduction, environment, safety, health, education, culture, recreation, citizenship, and other projects in GFWC departments and divisions.  Clubs are encouraged to analyze local needs, to work with cooperating groups to meet those needs, and to tap available resources for assistance.  CIP is a two year project.

Suggestions are received for new CIP Projects at the February business meeting of an even numbered year.  In March a brief presentation from each spokesman of each idea is given and a ballet vote is taken.

The CIP Chairman is responsible for forming a committee to help plan for the two year project.  This includes ideas for fund raising and how to implement the project.

Past CIP Projects of the Metamora-Germantown Hills Junior Woman’s Club have been: bringing Emergency 116 Ambulance and EMT Service to the community, Metamora Courthouse Renovation, Emergency Response Lifeline, Park Equipment for Black Partridge Park in Metamora, Woodford County Special Education, Metamora Pool Renovation, Creation of the Children’s Corner at the Metamora Library, Development of J.R. White Memorial Park in Germantown Hills, Child Lures (a child abduction program), Emergency 116 Ambulance Service (raised $100,000 for a new ambulance), Campaign for Volunteers, Cherish Every Child (a child safety campaign),“Recycle It” (to promote a local recycling program in our community), “Climbing New Heights by Improving Playground Sites” (playground improvement at J.R. White Memorial Park in Germantown Hills), “Welcome Neighbor! Packets” (developing newcomer packets), and our current CIP is “Focus on the Kids” (enhance programs, activities, and services encompassing the MTHS district). 

WHAT IS JUNIOR OF THE YEAR/OUTSTANDING SERVICE?

Junior of the Year is an award presented to an active Federated Junior clubwoman for her accomplishments during the past year. 

Outstanding Service is an award presented to an active Federated Junior clubwoman for her accomplishments during her entire junior career.

Juniors are judged on offices held at Junior Club, Junior District, and District Levels, committee and project work, innovative ideas and creativity, dependability, willingness to share ideas, cooperation, participation, attitude, sense of humor, ability to interact positively with other members, enthusiasm, and attendance.

This committee consists of Junior of the Year and Outstanding Service Award winners from the past two years.

WHAT IS THE NEWSLETTER?

It is the responsibility of the Newsletter Chairman to compile a monthly Newsletter informing the membership of all service work, fund raisers, social events, articles of interest to the club, a club calendar listing the events for the month, and any other information provided to her by the department, standing, or committee Chairman and the President. The Newsletter Chairman sets a deadline for information to be turned in to her, and it is the responsibility of each member to meet this deadline so that the Newsletter will be received in a timely fashion.

The newsletter is the primary communication to all members.  WE will be utilizing it to inform members of ALL activities.  Any information in the newsletter WILL NOT be presented at the general meeting.

WHAT IS PUBLIC RELATIONS?

The Public Relations Chairman is responsible to promote our club through publicity.  Her main job is submitting and writing articles for our local newspapers and school newsletters.  She encourages members to use GFWC Illinois before our club name when writing articles for our newspapers, posters, articles for school newsletters, or any way we promote our club.  She also puts together the Media Book, which includes all published articles with our club’s name in them. The Publicity Book serves as the GFWC Illinois Metamora-Germantown Hills Junior Woman’s Club history. These books are being stored right now at the Germantown Hills Fire Station attic.

Besides the publicity through the media, our club has GFWC Metamora-Germantown Hills Juniors sweatshirts, polo shirts, denim shirts, and buttons that we wear at club functions. 

WHAT IS REPORTING?

The Reporting Chairman provides Project Report Forms for chairmen.  She is responsible to have chairmen fill out Project Report Forms after each project or program.  These forms have information on the name of the project, program, or fundraiser completed, number of Juniors and others involved, description of how the project was completed, list of income and expenses, etc.  These forms are used in case we choose to redo a project or program and we have an idea on how we can better the project.  They are also used at the end of the year when our club writes reports for GFWC Illinois. 

Why we write reports for GFWC Illinois - to review what our club has done during the year, to maintain our club’s history, to evaluate our club’s programs and projects, and to obtain recognition, awards from GFWC Illinois. 

Why GFWC Illinois wants us to report is to evaluate state projects through our club participation, to strengthen the state organization, to promote legislation, health concerns, human resources, etc., to obtain funding, speakers, recognition, publicity, and to report to GFWC the endeavors and accomplishments of Illinois.

Why GFWC wants Illinois to report is to evaluate programs and projects, to promote new issues of interest to members, to evaluate our club’s activity versus other clubs, to obtain funding from other companies, to use in compiling the history of women of the world, and to create a written record of accomplishments by Illinois clubs.

WHAT IS BREAKFAST WITH SANTA?

Breakfast with Santa is a morning event that is held annually in December for children in our community to visit Santa.  There is a special committee that is appointed to this event.  The committee is responsible for the location, craft projects, refreshments, raffle items, door prizes, and decorations.  The committee will notify the  

membership of the details via the Newsletter and at the business meetings.

The money received from Breakfast with Santa is donated to local charities.  Proposed charities are brought to the membership & then the charity which will receive the proceeds from Breakfast with Santa is voted on by the membership.  The proceeds have been donated to the Community Holiday Basket Fund, Heart House, Emergency 116, food pantries, a needy family in the community, supported our CIP projects, etc. Sometimes the money has been used to support our general fund.

The chairman is required to attend the September Board meeting.  The committee is not required to attend this Board meeting.

WHAT IS WAYS & MEANS?

The Ways & Means area is very large and consists of one chairman.  ALL of our membership is a part of Ways & Means.  The chairman chooses a committee the end of April to decide on the moneymaking plans for the new club year.  The chairman presents the events in the May Newsletter and members vote on the fall fundraisers at the May Installation Banquet.  The money received from these fundraisers is put towards our general fund which supplies funds for our departments and other expenses for the club year or a certain charity or cause.

The chairman is a part of the Board of Directors and must attend Board Meetings in addition to business meetings. 

Some of our club fund raisers have been:  selling wrapping paper, grocery gift certificates at Jubilee Foods and Kroger’s, garage sales, Breakfast With Santa, Tiny Tots and Princess Contests, Silent, Art and Pound Auctions, raffles, Cookie Bake, Capture the Moment Photo Booth, Easter Bunny Breakfast, and Spring Bazaar.

WHAT IS A DEPARTMENT?

The Departments are an important part of our club.  Chairmen are selected by the Incoming President for the following departments:  Art, Conservation, Education, Home Life, International Affairs, and Public Affairs.

The President provides a chairman handbook, which has information about their department.  She will distribute informative materials that she receives from GFWC throughout the year to the Chairman to keep them informed of state projects as well as to give them new project ideas.  The President can also answer questions that the Chairman may have. 

The chairman will meet with her committee to decide the different programs and projects that pertain to her department. The chairman along with her committee, are responsible for hosting one general meeting during the club year.  The chairman should assign an area of her department work to each member of her committee. If your committee would like to have a program at the meeting you are hosting, it is the committee person’s responsibility to contact the proposed speaker, inform them of the date and get a brief history of the program to use as an introduction before the program at the business meeting.  Introduce the speaker (Name and brief introduction of organization and person).  The Speaker should only present a program that is 15-20 minutes in length.  Please make this person aware of this upon contact.  After the speaker/program has been presented, the member should stand before the membership to thank our speaker.  Depending on the speaker, some require a stipend amount for speaking in front of a group and others do not.  So it is decided by the committee if a gift or donation to a charity is made in their honor. (You must give the Treasurer a receipt and a reimbursement request to be refunded for this expense).  Besides providing a program for your assigned month, the department is responsible to see that members are provided with refreshments and that a greeter is available to welcome new and prospective members.  That department committee should help the President set up and clean up the area where the business meeting will be held.

It is the responsibility of the Chairman to provide service work or monetary donation to different organizations within her department’s area.  She should keep the general membership informed of her department’s activities through articles in our newsletter and through brief reports at our business meetings.

Each department is responsible for the following expenses from their allocated budget:  photocopying, postage, phone, supplies (poster board, brochures, etc.), speakers and donations.

DEPARTMENT COMMITTEES

WHAT IS ART?

The Art Department encourages members to foster and support arts activities in all communities.

Some Arts in the Community Projects or Program include: VSA arts (formerly Very Special Arts), Art For Youth - Support Youth Art Month observed each March, craft projects, decorations and face painting at our Breakfast with Santa, buying art supplies for local preschools or schools, Art Auction, Art-in-the-Park, Sun Foundation Scholarship (art scholarship), and Safe Kids Poster Contest.

Some Fostering Community Art include: decorating containers for the Snyder Village Auction, making items for residents at Snyder Village, decorate Christmas trees at Snyder Village, making and decorating a tree at the Court House in Metamora at Christmas time, supporting the Performing Arts Program at our local schools by informing members of upcoming events and fundraisers, and field trip with members to Lakeview, etc.

The Arts have two Contests that they are promoting.  Photography Contests encourages members’ artistic expression and recognize and support members’ achievements in photography.  Short Story and Poetry Contests encourage members and youth to develop creative writing skills and to recognize their achievements.

WHAT IS CONSERVATION?

The Conservation Department has two programs that they are promoting.  The Beautification Program educates members about the importance of beautifying their communities and stimulate citizen action to address these concerns.  The Resource Conservation educates members and communities about the importance of preserving natural resources and stimulate citizen action to address these concerns. 

Some Community Beautification Projects or Program include: Celebrate Keep America Beautiful Month in April, Work with schools, scouts and other youth groups to encourage young people to beautify their surroundings, including playgrounds, home yards, and community parks, Coordinate a “Yard of the Month” event in the community, Celebrate Earth Day – April 22, Observe Earth Day with book donation to local schools or libraries, Donation to the Metamora Biking/Hiking Trail.  Some Research and Implement Tree-Planting/Preservation Projects are: Donation to Shawnee National Forest and donating a tree in honor of Arbor Day. Some Resource Conservation suggestions: Celebrate America Recycles Day – November 15, Adopt-an-Animal (Glen Oak Zoo and Wildlife Prairie Park), Smokey Bear Poster Contest, Making pinecone birdfeeders with local preschool children, Kids in Kindness Program is a subscription of Kind News to a teacher, and Providing information to club members on conservation issues. Participate in and/or Organize Litter Prevention Projects: Observe Keep America Beautiful’s “Great American Clean-Up” in April, Organize Highway Recycling Events, Present “Golden Broom” awards to local businesses that clean up or improve their buildings/surroundings, Recycling options, Collects soda tabs for Ronald McDonald House, and Magazine Recycling.

WHAT IS EDUCATION?

The Education Department has two programs that they are promoting.  The Lifelong Learning is to promote a commitment to lifelong learning by encouraging members and others to foster and support educational opportunities in their communities.  The Literacy Program educates members and others about literacy among adults, family and youth, and encourage citizen action to address literacy concerns.

Some Lifelong Learning Projects or Programs include: projects to support libraries such as Library Story Hours, Book coding at local libraries, Book raffles during National Library Week and National Children’s Book Week, Donate book to local library in honor of new babies born to club members during the club year, Donate books to local or school libraries, Honor library staff at local libraries during National Library Week in April, “Be A

Smartie – Read!” promotion during National Library Week in April, Initiate a Books for Babies Program which provides packets that contain a baby book and information on helping babies develop a love of books and reading to new parents/caregivers and Honor Teacher’s during National Education Week. 

Some Literacy Programs include: Adult Literacy, Club/Community Education and Awareness, Identification, Recruitment and Training of Tutors and Volunteers, Identification and Recruitment of Students, Family Literacy, Youth Literacy, and Tutoring.

WHAT IS HOME LIFE?

The Home Life Department has three programs that they are promoting. The Dollars and Sense Program is to educate members and others about the value of and need for retirement planning and to provide valuable financial information regarding checking credit, giving wisely, identity theft and social security. The Helping Hands Program educates members and others about organizations that improve the lives of those in need; provide opportunities to offer support. The Women’s Health Program educates members and others about the most prevalent medical problems affecting women today, and encourage women to adopt proven methods for optimizing their own physical health and quality of life.

Some Dollar and Sense Programs include: Planning Ahead:  Building Retirement Income. Checking Your Credit, Wise Giving, Avoid Online Identity Theft, Prevent Identity Theft, and Social Security.

 Some Helping Hands Programs include: Easter Seals, Heavenly Hats, Canine Companions for Independence (CCI), Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI), March of Dimes (MOD), National Organization on Disability (NOD, Meals for Greg, Projects at Snyder Village, our retirement home in Metamora, such as Bingo, crafts, birthday parties, our children Trick or Treating residents, decorating a Christmas tree at the home, cards to residents, Support, donate, and work at the Community Holiday Basket Fund, Holiday Gift Certificates for a needy family, Work at a soup kitchen, Winning Wheels, and Coats for Kids.

 Some Women’s Health Programs include: Healthy Lifestyle – organize or participate in health fairs or forums; plan activities for Breast Cancer Month in October; educate members on illness by a program or give facts in the club newsletter, Shingles, Stroke, Heart Disease, Alzheimer’s Disease, Women and Cancer, and Diabetes.

WHAT IS INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS?

The International Affairs Department has two programs that they are promoting. The Reaching Out Internationally Program is to educate members and others about world needs and provide opportunities to offer support. The United Nations Program educates members and others about United National programs concerning women and children, and support GFWC’s presence as a UN Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Observer.

 Some Reaching Out Internationally Programs include: CARE, Plan USA (formerly Childreach), Clowns Without Borders, Cure International, Heifer Project International (HPI), Global Volunteers, Operation Smile (OSI), Save The Children, Cultural Exchange, and World Food Day (WFD).

Some United Nations Programs include: Recognize and celebrate United Nations Day (October 24^th), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Trick of Treat for UNICEF, Campaign Against HIV/AIDS, and United Nations Development Fund For Women (UNIFEM).

WHAT IS PUBLIC AFFAIRS?

The Public Affairs Department has two programs that they are promoting. The Citizenship Program is to educate members and others about the importance of active citizenship, veteran’s affairs and historic preservation, and encourage participation in related activities. The Safety Program educates members and others about community, home and vehicle safety issues, and encourages citizen action on these issues.

  Some Citizenship Programs include: Veterans Affairs - conducts projects that recognize and honor all veterans such as Donate items to the Danville V.A. Medical Center and Peoria Outpatient Clinic, Hold program at Snyder Village for Veteran’s on Veteran’s Day, Send cards to Veteran’s for holidays, Visit veteran’s during the year especially on Veteran’s Day and holidays, Honor local veterans during Veteran’s Day or at a local football game halftime, Collect good and clean used clothing to Veteran’s Hospitals, Make lap robes, bed jackets, wheel chair

caddies, etc., Inquire about the needs of the female veteran’s, and Avenue of Flags display.  Soldiers and Their Families - Collect and send coupons to military families overseas, Support Homes for Our Troops, Support Fisher House, Send care packages to servicemen overseas. Citizenship Participation - Vote and encourage others to do the same, Invite candidates to speak at club meetings, Encourage members to become registrars, work at the polls, and give rides to voters in need and encourage qualified women to seek elected or appointed office. Historic Preservation is crucial to preserve America’s historic landmarks by working to preserve historic sites and artifacts, Celebrate Historic Preservation Week (second week in May), Promote a grassroots movement to preserve historic downtown areas, and create the club’s history.

 Some Safety Programs include: Community Safety - Ensure Amber Alert emergency response system, Work with local law enforcement officials, neighborhood coalitions, and city/town councils to develop crime prevention programs.  Such as Child Lures and McGruff, Child Safety Clinic –fingerprinting, poisons, toys, firearms, sports, school and playground, Honor Fire Departments during Fire Prevention Week in October, Honor Crossing Guards, Operation Snowball, Operation STARS, D.A.R.E. Graduation Program and GFWC Illinois Fire Safety Alliance Burn Camp.

Home Safety - Work with local fire departments or hospital community liaison to hold a fire safety awareness day for children and parents, Reduce calls from telemarketers, Set up an awareness campaign to remind community to change batteries in smoke detectors, and Organize a Red Cross Babysitting Clinic. Vehicle Safety - Promote the use of booster seats for children between 40 and 80 pounds and less than 4’9” tall, Hold a fitting station for safety and booster seats., CHAD – children’s identification program, and Promote the use of seat belts.

 SPECIAL COMMITTEES

WHAT IS BUDGET?

The Budget Committee shall prepare the annual budget and present their recommendations at the October Business Meeting.  This Committee consists of the outgoing Treasurer, the incoming Treasurer, President, and any member who wishes.

WHAT IS BYLAWS?

The Bylaws Committee shall examine the Bylaws for any needed revision, presenting amendments when necessary.  It shall make the members conscious of their need to know and comply with the Bylaws.  This Committee consists of the Secretary who serves as the Chairman, President, and two members at large who shall be appointed by the Chairman.  Bylaws are defined previously in this yearbook.

WHAT IS MEMBERSHIP?

The Membership Chairman is the Vice-President.  It is her responsibility to plan prospective and new member orientations.

Should the Chairman choose to hold a special orientation, she will contact her committee to meet and plan the event.  It is recommended to hold such events - 1 (fall) and 1(winter).  It is up to the Membership Chairman to choose a theme for this event if desired. During orientation events, the Chairman and her committee will have planned an introduction, ice-breaker, refreshments, etc.

The Membership Chairman will introduce new members to the club, announce resignations and oversee with her committee the Initiation Ceremonies.

WHAT ARE NEW/PROSPECTIVE MEMBERSHIP EVENTS?

The Membership Chairman and her committee are responsible to hold new/prospective membership events to promote our club and inform the community of what we are about.  During this promotion we encourage ladies to join and be a part of this prestigious organization.

It is very important to have as many officers and members attend so as to explain the purpose of our club, upcoming events that Chairman have planned, and have each member in attendance express their feelings about the club.

WHAT IS SOCIAL?

The Social Committee is responsible for all social events planned during the year for our membership.  The social events may consist of family picnics, ladies night out, shopping trips, dinners, crazy couples bowling, Super Bowl Party, playgroups, coffeehouses, etc.  It is up to the chairman to decide whether this social function should be for ladies only, for a member and her friend, for husbands or children, etc.  Upon deciding what events will be planned for the year, it is the responsibility of the chairman to inform the Executive Board of her plans.

WHAT IS OLD SETTLER’S DAYS?

Old Settler’s Days is a four day event held in June in Metamora. The main goal is that our club supports this event by being represented at it. 

 There is a special committee that is appointed to this event.  The committee is responsible for reserving the space and coordinating the fundraiser.  Fundraisers that we have sponsored have been: a Cookie Bake, which we rented two ovens and members baked lots and lots of cookies in four days; raffles, Capture the Moment Photo Booth and a Tiny Tots Contest. The proceeds have been used for our general fund, Community Improvement Project, or to some worthy cause like Children’s Miracle Network, St. Jude, Relay For Life, T.O.U.C.H., J.D.R.F., etc.  The committee will notify the membership of the details via the Newsletter and at the business meetings.

 Also our club participates in the Old Settler’s Days Parade, which is held on the Saturday of the four day event.  Our Junior of the Year and Outstanding Service Award winners ride in the parade and represent our club.  Sometimes members walk along side the cars and distribute the club brochure.

WHAT ARE BOARD MEETINGS?

Board meetings consist of the Executive Committee (President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and

Parliamentary Advisor) and the Standing Committee Chairman of the different areas - Avenue of Flags, Budget, Bylaws, Community Improvement Project, Historian, Reporting, Public Relations, and Ways & Means.  Department chairman are also included.

The Board meets four times a year, meeting in June, September, October, January, and March, unless otherwise ordered by the President.

At Board meetings, all events, projects, etc. are presented for discussion if necessary; any Bylaws changes are discussed, dates of meetings and events are discussed.

WHAT ARE BUSINESS MEETINGS?

The business meetings are held the third Monday of each month (Sept – April).  The location of the meetings is at Germantown Hills Fire Station, Holland Road & Prairie Avenue, in Germantown Hills. We begin the business meetings at 7:00 p.m. with doors opening at 6:15 p.m. 

Before and after the meeting, the membership is encouraged to look over sign-up sheets, enjoy refreshments, and visit. 

At these meetings, members are informed of new information following the publication of the monthly newsletter as to what service work is being planned, upcoming fund raisers, social events, events that have taken place during the month or that are being planned in conjunction with the GFWC Illinois, our Junior District, District, and conventions.

All members are encouraged to attend as many meetings as possible.

WHAT IS A YEARBOOK?

The Yearbook chairman can be the Secretary or a member.  She is responsible for compiling a book, which is distributed to the membership at the September Business Meeting.

The Yearbook provides information on all meeting dates.  It also lists the different areas of our club, the committees and chairpersons.  It provides the Bylaws and Standing Rules of our club, Club Motto, Club Collect, a listing of the names, addresses and phone numbers of our membership and any other information deemed important by the President.

WHAT IS A HOT LINE?

In case something comes up from the time that the newsletter is published and members need to know the information, you need to contact the President.  She will begin a phone tree by contacting her officers with the information.  Then the officers will contact the members placed under her name with the information.  This is called a Hot Line.

WHAT ARE SIGN UP SHEETS?

Chairman will provide “Sign-Up Sheets” indicating the type of event, location, time, date, and any other pertinent information.  Each member is requested to look at the sign-up sheets prior to the business meeting and afterwards and sign up their name to activities of their interest.

WHAT IS AUCTION BASKET?

The Auction Basket is a $5 to $8 wrapped gift item that is raffled at the end of the general meeting.  Each raffle ticket costs 25 cents.  The money is used for the Sunshine Fund.  Members sign up to donate items.

WHAT IS SUNSHINE FUND?

The Sunshine Fund is funded by the monthly auction basket.  The Sunshine Fund’s purpose is

     (1) to purchase one book (up to $25.00) at the end of the club year (May) to be donated to a local library in

           the name of members’ newborn babies,

     (2) to make memorials ($10.00 donation to the designated charity) for the death of a club member’s

           immediate family member (includes spouse and children)

     (3) to purchase get well and sympathy cards to be sent to club members in case of a club member’s illness or

          death of a spouse, child, parents, or in-laws.  (If a club member’s family does not live with in the vicinity

          please inform the club secretary of the member’s loss). 

In case of a club member’s illness, surgery, or birth of a new baby, meals will be provided to help the club member’s recuperation.  (The meals will be donated by the other club members).

WHAT IS BIRTHDAY/ANNIVERSARY BANK?

The Birthday/Anniversary Bank is for members to deposit the appropriate number of pennies per year of their birthday or anniversary (i.e., 30 years old, deposit 30 cents).  This bank is passed at every business meeting.  At the end of two years, the money is donated to a charity chosen by the membership by majority vote.

WHAT IS REFLECTIONS?

“Reflections” is a brief inspirational writing to be shared with the group at the close of a meeting.  Suggestions include:  a favorite poem, an article from a newspaper or magazine, or a passage from a book.  Members sign up for the month of their choice.

WHAT ARE DUES?

Members pay dues annually.  The cost of our dues is forty-five dollars.  If not paid by October 1, there will be a five dollar late charge.  These dues are used to pay for our membership into the 17th District and the GFWC Illinois Federation.  A dollar is paid out of each member’s dues for the Illinois Clubwoman magazine.  The remaining money is put into our general fund for operating expenses.

WHAT IS ILLINOIS JUNIOR WEEK/MONTH?

During the month of October, the GFWC Illinois has designated one week in that month (usually the 2nd week) as Illinois Junior Week.  During this week, the Chairman will plan events during the week, Proclamations signed by both Mayors of Metamora and Germantown Hills, honor firemen, etc.  In other words, beginning on Sunday (maybe even earlier) through Saturday - each day will have a special event planned.

The Chairman of the Departments and Board of Directors plan the events for the week.  The month of October has also been designated as Junior Month by GFWC Illinois and special events are planned.

WHAT IS SPRING CONVENTION?

Because the Metamora-Germantown Hills Junior Woman’s Club is a part of the 17th (General) and the 17th (Junior) Districts, there are two conventions to attend in March/April.   (The hosting club will determine location, date and time, which will be given to the President when she attends District Board Meetings).

At the General Convention, there is a business meeting, a luncheon followed by an awards ceremony.  At the Junior Convention, (it is encouraged that as many members attend this convention as possible) there is a dinner followed by an awards ceremony.  At both of these conventions our club receives recognition (certificates) for the work we have done in our projects, fund raising and leadership areas.

This recognition of awards is based on the reports that are sent to the District in February.

It is a very special day and evening and a great morale booster for the club and especially the chairman, committee, and members to know that their hard work did not go unseen.

WHAT IS STATE CONVENTION?

This convention is held in May (location, date, and time determined by the GFWC Illinois) in conjunction with the General Federation of Women’s Club.

As with our Spring Convention, the reports that we send in February also go to the GFWC Illinois for recognition and awards.

This convention is a great opportunity to see the different areas of the GFWC Illinois, meet our GFWC President, GFWC Illinois President, GFWC Director of Junior Clubs, GFWC Illinois Director of Junior Clubs, District Women Club Presidents, District Directors of Junior Clubs, and other officers and see how we all unite together.

Depending on the location, we stay overnight, attend some of the banquets (receive a lot of awards), go shopping, eat and lots lots more!!! We have a lot of fun!!!

IN CONCLUSION…

Each meeting becomes easier to understand, faces become more familiar and friendships begin.  We encourage our members to join not only for the pleasure of meeting new friends but also to participate in our service work.  After all, that is what our club is about - helping others that are less fortunate.  Therefore, it is very important to have our membership volunteer their time for the betterment of our community and state.  Our main objective is to encourage our members to do what they can, we understand that each member has a life outside of Junior’s, and cannot live and breathe the club.  We just ask that you make an attempt!

If you have any questions at all, please feel free to talk to anyone on the Board -- we want you to enjoy and have fun as a member of the GFWC Illinois Metamora-Germantown Hills Junior Woman’s Club.

Created by Donna Cross (1996)

Revised by Donna Cross and Gina Hulett (1999)

Revised by Donna Cross (2003)

Revised by Donna Cross and Amy DeFreitas (2007)

Revised by Patty Voudrie (2008)