Nine delegates attend SER from TN: Mary Love Coley, President, Ann Durall - Pres. elect, Della Gowan - 2nd VP, Pat Williams - Director of Junior Clubs, Susan Martin - Public Relations, Brenda Simmons - D4 President, Marjorie Stevens - Sparta WC President and Isabel Edmands and Margaret England - PSP’s and past presidents of Southeastern Region.

SER kicked off it meeting with a tour of historic Shepherdstown and Charles Town, followed by state night featuring a magician and Halloween treats and costumes. At the business session Della Gowan elected to the 2006-2008 nominating committee. Featured speakers were Ernie Shriner - GFWC President who encouraged us to use Proliteracy as our resource and to apply for the $50 grants to assist in getting tutors qualified; Jackie Pierce who is always inspiring; and Barbara Getwatosky, Director of Right from the Start. On Sunday morning the state reports took the form of skits in which all TN delegates took part in the Law & Order Skit written by Johnnie Hill.

Endorsements for SER officers must be turned in by June 2005. If anyone is interested in being endorsed by the state, the endorsement must be turned in for approval at the Spring Convention in Jackson. At this time, we have approved and are proud to submit Susan Martin as a candidate for Treasurer of SER.

GFWC of TN Leadership
Chairman Ann Durall

You are GF-GFWC of TN Leaders! You demonstrated that at Fall Conference/Board and at other meetings this year. It was amazing to hear your Roundtable presentations. Let me share some of the answers that you gave to encourage leadership roles for new and existing members.

Have Orientations for new members as soon as they join, ask the “old” members to join in the Orientation, have complete job descriptions ready for a new chairman and make it clear what is expected from her in the job, watch for special interest in a new member and use that as a guide for placement in a job, mentor as needed, praise good efforts, put all new members in positions even if it is a small job, make every event a Membership Event, push members to attend District, GFWC of TN and GFWC meetings, stress the fun, be flexible, get in the media, look for progressive thinking, hold leadership workshops (call me!) groom and educated members to leadership roles (use Leadership Tool Kit workshops), and this is only ½ of the ideas!

In answer to “What are you most proud of about your club”?

Some of the answers: the women in the club, amazing things accomplished by a small group of members, response to community needs, longevity, dedication of clubs, friendship, closeness, care and concern, accomplishments, diversity, support, and the fun we have. What wonderful answers! All of us are so fortunate to have found GFWC. Let’s share it with even more people. With the enthusiasm of your answers, I see that we are ready to seek leadership roles for ourselves and assist new members, too.

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