Subj: e-GFWC Message from
International President Shelby Hamlett Date: 01/31/2002

Dear GFWC Members, Happy New Year to you all...all year long! May 2002 bring you good health, peace and prosperity....and all the other good things you wish. It's that time of the year again when we, as clubwomen, think of writing our story of accomplishment. You know, reporting. Probably that word "reporting" gives almost everyone a little twinge. Why we have to report? Truthfully, not many people like to report, but it is the best and only way GFWC and your state have of knowing what the members and clubs all across this country are doing. We know great things are happening, but unless you tell us, we have no idea who, where, how much, what for and we need to know that. Our communities need to know as do any corporate sponsors we might have.

When GFWC'S Program Director writes a grant, she needs the information to prove to the corporation or foundation that we can "produce". For instance, she can say to a company that we tutored so many non-readers, etc. It might not necessarily be in the area where she is requesting the funding, but it shows that GFWC has an active past and present on the local level. In addition, reporting provides clubs a record or diary of their own achievements. With the information provided, the Program Department Annual Report can be produced. This Annual Report gets sent to founders, resources, etc. It really is a way of "bragging" about what our clubs do.

Finally, the Public Relations Director uses the information to promote GFWC. She has the information to say that a club in Roanoke did such and such a project, or that a club in.......You get the picture.

Do you need a Report Form? GFWC report forms are now available on GFWC website: www.gfwc.org under the Download section on the home page. After downloading and printing this form, please fill it out and finally mail the form to the appropriate chairmen.

I know Reporting consumes a great deal of time, thought and effort but also I want you to know that we appreciate it very, very much. I know you think you are drowning in a sea of paper about now but I want you to know that your club's story deserves to be told. Thank you for all you are doing.

As you are aware, everyone seems to be having more problems than usual with the mail service and delivery. Almost daily, I receive at least one piece of mail that has a postmark that is one or two months old. If you are awaiting a response from mail to GFWC Headquarters and you do not hear from us, please contact us again as your mail may not have arrived. We respectfully request your patience and understanding. Also, you will want to make allowances for this timing problem with the submission of your reports and dues. Please consider sending them and any other time-sensitive correspondence in a manner that can be tracked.

Letters, We Get Letters......Lately we have received a number of responses to GFWC'S most recent direct mail fundraising campaigns. Our members have no problem letting us know their feelings on the subject! Many of the notes ask questions or make statements that need to be addressed and we would love to reply. However, if the name/address are scratched out, or there is no return address on the envelope, or no name included with the note, it is impossible for us to know who to contact.

When a letter is sent to GFWC, please be sure to include - on the envelope and on the letter itself - your name and address and, if desired, telephone number or E-mail address. That will ensure that you receive a timely and thorough response.

Have you reported your latest efforts in Libraries 2000? Remember our goal is $2.2 million by 2002. I think we can achieve that goal and celebrate in June!

In a few days I will be traveling to Australia, New Zealand and Fiji Island on the GFWC Collette Tour. We will have a wonderful opportunity to represent GFWC and remember, no matter where we are, you are never out of our thoughts.

Again, I trust this New Year will be most significant and rewarding for you.

Sincerely,
Shelby Hamlett, GFWC International President

v During World War II, GFWC raised $101,617, 750 to buy bombers, $154, 459, 132. for Victory Loans. State federations provided $234, 834 in scholarships and $46,601 in loans to train nurses. The Federation recruited over 6,000 young women for the Cadet Nurse Corps. Over 4,500 Juniors enlisted in the various services established for women. *
* Information based on REPORTS submitted by GFWC Program Chairmen.

TN's Connection to the Government Day in Nashville

The Cumberland Club, with a panoramic view of downtown Nashville, was the perfect setting for a very informative governmental forum. The event was designed to feature all of the gubernatorial candidates of which the following 6 candidates presented their vision for Tennessee: Jim Henry, Basil Marceaux, Randy Nichols, Edwin Sanders, Charles Smith, and Bob Tripp.

Chairman Margaret England strengthened Tennessee's connection to government by providing the 50 club women in attendance with the congressional committee meeting information for the day at Legislative Plaza in addition to the gubernatorial candidates' forum.

Following lunch the candidates presented their views, and many of the issues centered around education, early intervention, TennCare, balanced budgets, and tax structures. We were also privileged to hear the emphasis of three potential first ladies, Andrea Conte' Bredesen, Laura Nichols, and Billie Sanders. It was brought to the candidates' attention that Tennessee club women were instrumental in initiating a pilot program for truckers on the interstate system around Knoxville.

Tennessee club women in attendance appreciated the opportunity to become better informed voters for the up coming elections. Ask someone who was there what they learned.

GFWC of TN Endowment Fund…. Dorothy Skinner, Chairman

It has been tremendous the response we have received for the Tennessee Endowment. Thirty clubs were 100% as reported by the State Treasurer this year in contrast to twenty-seven a year ago! Contributions for this year totaled $1703 and our income from the interest on our investments totaled $4812.68. You can guess that I really support this fund when I badger you for individual contributions at our State meetings. I have one request though - when you send me pictures to go with your tributes it would be handy if the size of the photo you send approximates the size of the page you are purchasing. Thanks very much

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