Local clubwomen attend GFWC Spring Convention

SOUTH PORTLAND — Four women from the GFWC Miosac Club in Dover-Foxcroft attended the General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC) Spring Convention at the Marriott Sable Oaks Hotel May 12-13. Attendees were Barbara Austin, Anne Cress, Vicki Moschella and Suzanne Raymond along with 59 other women from around the state.

Photo courtesy of GFWC Miosac Club

TOP CONTEST HONORS — The GFWC Miosac Club recently received first-place honors in the organization’s state-level Community Improvement Contest for last spring’s purchase and placement of American flags on West Main Street in Dover-Foxcroft. From left are committee members Anne Cress, Suzanne Raymond, GFWC Miosac Club President Vicki Moschella, GFWC Maine Conservation Chair Beverly Rollins and Barbara Austin.

The 2014-16 GFWC Maine Administration’s theme has been “Our Past Will Determine Our Future”. Marjorie Goodwin, GFWC Maine president stated, “What we as clubwomen do now, will affect our daughters and their daughters, just as what the clubwomen did before us has affected the clubwomen of today. We need to set a good example of what volunteerism can do for a community, so future volunteers will be willing to continue working within their communities for years to come.”

The president’s special project during the past two years has been “Elder Abuse Awareness”. This is a sensitive subject that has all too often been swept under the rug and not addressed. GFWC Maine clubwomen have successfully helped educate the public about how to recognize the symptoms of abuse and where to go to get help when needed. Many members throughout Maine have taken part in Meals on Wheels programs in, or near their communities. The elderly and the young continue to be the most vulnerable members of society.

In 2010 domestic violence awareness and prevention became the signature project for GFWC. Many positive changes have taken place since that time. The organization has been fortunate to hear from Jaye Martin, executive director of Legal Services for the Elderly in Maine (LSE) for the 10 years. Martin is an attorney with an extensive background in the nonprofit sector where she focused on developing vocational and housing services for persons with developmental and mental disabilities.

LSE is a statewide legal services organization focused on meeting the unique needs of disadvantaged seniors. LSE’s services include a statewide helpline, area offices across the state and a Medicare Part D Appeals Unit. LSE and Maine have been nationally recognized by the U.S. Administration for Community Living, through its model approaches to statewide legal assistance systems Phase II grant program, for its innovative approaches to providing statewide services and longstanding commitment to representing and advocating for victims of elder abuse.

Clubwomen were delighted to welcome GFWC Second Vice President Marian St. Clair from South Carolina at convention. She has been a dynamic leader of GFWC since 1989 and has held countless positions during that time such as state president, bylaws committee, beautification committee, leadership committee and she has been GFWC treasurer and recording secretary. In 1997, she was distinguished as a GFWC Woman of Achievement.

During the evening banquet John McDonald, a professional storyteller who has been performing and entertaining audiences in New England for decades, provided his own brand of humor. He writes a weekly column that is published in many Maine newspapers.

Convention participants heard from many committee chairmen clubwomen have participated in or completed. Some were Maine youth leadership, endowment fund, delegate’s fund, conservation, home life, education, international outreach, public issues, domestic violence, women’s history and resource center/historian, leadership and membership.

The GFWC Miosac Club was thrilled to have its scrapbook win first place with the club receiving a certificate and a cash award. Many thanks go to Moschella, club president and scrapbook editor. Elaine Larson, won first place in the scenic category of the photography contest. Her entry will go on to Washington, D.C. for further judging with competition from all 50 states.

The club was also very excited to win first place in the Community Improvement Contest for its submission for the flag purchase and placement of American flags along West Main Street in Dover-Foxcroft last May. An essay along with photos and newspaper articles from the beginning through the end of this project were submitted. This entry will go on to Washington, D.C. for further judging.

GFWC Maine Leadership Chairman Raymond gave a delightful talk about a childhood event that heightened her interest in volunteerism, and as a result, has made her activities what they are today.

Austin, who is the GFWC Maine membership chairman, inspired with her humor and talk as only she can do.

GFWC Immediate Past State President,Cress was busy with nominating procedures and election results for the 2016-18 GFWC Maine Executive Committee. Prior to the adjournment, Cress was the installing officer with the assistance of St. Clair, for the newly elected officers. The motto for the new administration is “Living the Volunteer Spirit with Sparkle and Shine”.