WHRC - submitted by Charlotte Dean, Chairman

Women's History and Resource Center--WHRC
WHRC--those initials do not mean very much to the average person. The first thought is which radio station--then, if you have worked for a big corporation, as I did, you think Human Resources--a new name for Personnel.

But in GFWC, WHRC means Women’s History and Resource Center. It is very important that we do not forgot our histories. Many of our clubs are very old organizations--some over one hundred years old. Some of us have been members for many, many years.

We will look at three ways of maintaining our histories. They are the following:
1) Building and maintaining your club’s archives,
2) Researching and writing a history of your club,
3) Conducting and recording oral history interviews with important members of your club.

Your clubs archives should contain the following:: Minutes, Annual financial reports and/or ledgers, Meeting Programs, Publications such as club newsletters, brochures, pamphlets. Newspaper clippings about the club and its members, Scrapbooks, Yearbooks, Photographs, Club memorabilia such as pins, badges or items received from meetings. Club histories and oral history interviews of club members. Audio or video tapes of club meetings and events. Any biographies of officers or members. Any material generated in the celebration of an anniversary, centennial etc. Essential correspondence that documents specific events, people, projects, contest or important parts of you club’s past.

Your club’s archives should be properly stored and maintained--there are a number of ways to do this, which I will address at a later date.

Researching and Writing your club histories guidelines include the following ideas:
1. Please use a typewriter or computer to produce the final copy. Legibility is important.
2. Include the name and author of the history, the club name and town/state and the date the history was written on the cover page of the history.
3. To avoid typographical errors. a final proofreading of the history is essential.

Important facts to include are:
1. When and where was your club founded? When was your club federated?
2. Did the club change names over the years ? and how the name change?
3. Tell about important projects the club has undertaken.
4. Did your club start a library? --when, how, who and how?
5. How many members then and now?
6. Tell about members who became state or General officers.
7. Did any member hold prominent office outside the Federation.
8. Include photographs which illustrate your history.

Take oral histories from your older members. Get your charter members to talk about the ways the club was when they started the club. Take a tape recorder (or possibly make a videotape with a camcorder.) Guide lines for taking oral histories will be given at a later date.

But most of all, when writing the club history, make the history interesting. Include details--don’t be too brief. Realize that many who read it are not familiar with the club. Also include any controversial subjects or events that the club was involved in. Don’t just recite the facts--make it interesting.

When sending club histories to the Women’s History and Resource Center, please submit an original copy if possible. (Xerox copies can be difficult to read sometimes.) Please submit it, and a return address for acknowledgement, to:

General Federation of Women’s Clubs
Women’s History and Resource Center
1734 N Street, NW
Washington, DC, 20036-2990

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Membership 101—Based on an article in the Collierville Chamber of Commerce newsletter

ON FEDERATION MEMBERSHIP—

This month’s tip is: Encourage your neighbor to become a member of your club too! You’ve always heard “There is strength in numbers” and it’s true. So, more members equals more voices, more positive changes and more accomplishments. You have friends who would enjoy the fellowship of membership, as well as the benefits. Share your “secret” and ask them to join your club.

GREAT WAYS TO BUILD YOUR CLUB

· Always attend every meeting. Your presence is important.

· Say “yes” when you’re asked to serve on a committee or be an officer. Share your ideas for building your club.

· Help make sure, to the best of your ability, that all meetings, seminars and conferences are worthwhile expenditures of the member’s time and money.

· READ your mail and newsletters. Information is available in communications such as these.

· Subscribe to The Club Woman Magazine and the TFNEWS so you get the broader picture of what’s happening.

· Support your programs and projects. Publicize your efforts in your local newspapers.

· Pay your dues on time.

· HAVE FUN WORKING TOGETHER !

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