Local clubwomen attend GFWC Maine Spring Convention

FREEPORT — Five women from the GFWC Miosac Club in Dover-Foxcroft attended the General Federation of Women’s Clubs Maine Spring Convention at the Hilton Garden Inn in Freeport May 9-10. Attending were members Suzanne Raymond, who is GFWC Miosac Club treasurer, GFWC Maine president-elect, and serves on the GFWC New England Region Resolutions Committee. Anne Cress is the GFWC Maine corresponding secretary, acting state necrologist and GFWC Maine interim parliamentary advisor. Both women are past GFWC Miosac Club presidents and past GFWC Maine state presidents.

Minnie McCormick is GFWC Miosac Club president. Vicki Moschella is GFWC Miosac Club publicity chair, and Laurie Ducat is the GFWC Miosac Club vice president-elect. More than 60 clubwomen attended this two-day convention.

Julia Bouwsma, Maine’s sixth Poet Laureate (2021-26) gave the welcoming address to start the convention. She is a poet, homesteader, editor, teacher, and librarian. She is the author of two poetry collections, “Midden” and “Work by Bloodlight”. Bouwsma, currently serves as the library director for Webster Library in Kingfield and teaches in the Creative Writing Department at the University of Maine in Farmington.

Special guests and speakers were Jolie Frankfurth, GFWC second vice president from Tampa, Florida and Libby Glover Wiers, GFWC New England Region president from St. Albans. Libby brought greetings from the GFWC NER. She also spoke about the GFWC Maine Educational Loan Fund and the Maude MacKenzie Scholarship Fund. Frankfurth spoke to the membership about her unique leadership experiences in conflict resolution, public speaking, and in decision making processes.  

The 2022-24 GFWC Maine Administration’s theme has been “Soaring To New Heights.” The “kite” has been the icon representing this theme. Maureen Provencal, a member of the GFWC Semper Fidelis Club in Skowhegan, has served as GFWC Maine president. It has been the goal of this administration to, “Spread Real Awareness” and “Break the Stigma” of mental health. We have been focusing on the facts, treatment, and prevention of mental illness during this administration. 

The “Yellow Tulip Project” began in Maine and is now national. GFWC Maine has supported this project wholeheartedly. It is a youth driven movement dedicated to smashing the stigma surrounding mental illness, one tulip at a time. Ysanne Bethel, the director of Youth Engagement for The “YTP ”, believes in the transformation capacity of hope. This organization is passionate about community building, and fiercely dedicated to positive change so that people know there is help available. It is important for people to know that things will get better, and that suicide is never an option.

Many GFWC Maine clubs have planted yellow tulip gardens of hope in their hometowns. The GFWC Miosac Club is pleased to be one of those clubs. The yellow tulips are now in bloom and can be viewed at the Marion Doore Park at the corner of Court and Pleasant streets. Additional yellow tulip bulbs will be planted at this location as the years go by.

We welcomed Dawn Walker-Elders, adult learning director at Girl Scouts of Maine. Walker-Elders is responsible for the in-depth trainings that provide extra support to help make the Girl Scout troop experience safe and fun! She also brought us many packages of Girl Scout cookies.

Reports and presentations were read and enjoyed from the chairs of many GFWC Maine programs and projects. Some of those presentations were Arts & Culture, Education & Libraries, Civic Engagement & Outreach, Health & Wellness, Environment, Leadership and Membership, Communications & Public Relations, Delegate’s Fund, Endowment Fund, ESO, and Fundraising, to mention a few.

GFWC Maine district presidents gave their reports. Those reporting were Jennifer Mabee and Deb Ferrell, co-Presidents of the GFWC Maine Northern District, and the GFWC Maine Southern District report was given by Roberta Morrill, member of the GFWC Westbrook Woman’s Club on behalf of President Anne Newman, who was unable to attend. The clubwomen of GFWC Maine are busy!

“The Gatsby Murder Mystery Masquerade Banquet”, honoring GFWC Maine past presidents was held at the end of the day. What a fabulous evening as we all had to solve the “Whodunit” murder! It was a hoot to say the least and a fabulous evening.

A memorial service was held on the morning of May 10 to honor 12 GFWC Maine clubwomen who have passed away during the last year. This is always a very moving and emotional service. These clubwomen have given so much of themselves to our federation and will not be forgotten.  Cress led this emotional and heartfelt service for our recently deceased GFWC Maine necrologist and dear friend, Nancy Kenty.

Many raffles and drawings were held by clubs, community service projects, and special committees. The GFWC Miosac Club is thrilled to say that Moschella, scrapbook editor, won second place in our division, and received a monetary award for the Club. The GFWC Miosac Club also received a state award in the Communications and Public Relations category. In addition, the Club received an award in Civic Engagement and a Leadership Creativity Award. We thank McCormick and Raymond for submitting the information and for writing these reports.

Jolie Frankfurth, GFWC second vice president, conducted the GFWC Maine Officer’s 

Installation Ceremony for the new 2024-26 GFWC Maine administration. Inducted was Raymond as president, Nancy Ames as president-elect, Gloria Aurelio as vice president, Anne Newman as recording secretary, Jane Briggs as treasurer, Jennifer Mabee as corresponding secretary, and Gloria Leveillee as parliamentary advisor. Frankfurt used the history of several influential Maine women as an example for our leaders to follow such as Margaret Chase Smith, Olympia Snowe, and Gov. Janet Mills among others. 

Additional information about GFWC may be obtained by going to gfwc.org or gfwcmaine.org.  If interested in joining the GFWC Miosac Club, call Cress at 207-717-7576. All ages are welcome. Come join our organization and help others while having fun yourselves!