Local clubwomen attend GFWC Maine Fall Conference
AUGUSTA — Four women from the GFWC Miosac Club in Dover-Foxcroft attended the General Federation of Women’s Clubs Fall Conference at the Senator Inn & Spa in Augusta on Oct. 15. Attending were Suzanne Raymond, who is GFWC Miosac Club treasurer and GFWC Maine parliamentary advisor. Anne Cress is the GFWC Maine corresponding secretary. Both women are past state presidents. Vicki Moschella is the GFWC Miosac Club publicity chairman. Dorothy Tonick is a GFWC Miosac clubwoman. Fifty-eight clubwomen and four guests attended this convention.
The 2022-24 GFWC Maine Administration’s theme is, “Soaring To New Heights.” The “kite” will be the icon representing this theme. Maureen Provencal, a member of the GFWC Semper Fidelis Club in Skowhegan, was installed as GFWC Maine president this past May. It is the goal of this administration to, “Spread Real Awareness” and “Break the Stigma” of mental health. We need to focus on the facts, treatment and prevention of this illness.
Members were pleased to have Gov. Janet Mills drop in to welcome the Federation to Augusta. She expressed her thanks to the membership for all we do to serve our communities, counties, state, nation, and the world.
FALL CONFERENCE — Members of the GFWC Miosac Club in Dover-Foxcroft attending the General Federation of Women’s Clubs Fall Conference in Augusta were, from left, Vicki Moschella, Anne Cress, Suzanne Raymond, and Dorothy Tonick.
Suzanne Fox, co-Founder and executive director of the “Yellow Tulip Project,” and Josie Levey, director of education for the YTP, began in Maine and is now national. It is a youth-driven movement dedicated to smashing the stigma surrounding mental illness, one tulip at a time. The yellow tulip represents happiness and hope. This organization is passionate about community building, and fiercely dedicated to positive change so that people know there is help out there. It is important for people to know that things will get better, and that suicide is never an option.
Club members brought many bags and cans of both cat and dog foods, treats and toys to this conference. These items were donated to Spectrum Generations’ AniMeals Program. This program is part of Meals on Wheels. Jennifer Curtis, director of Nutrition and Center Operations informed the members that any Meals on Wheels consumer that has a cat or dog in the home is eligible for free pet food — up to six pets. This program has greatly improved the health of the pets and the consumers as everyone is consuming the meals designed for them, as well as improved food insecurity for both consumers and their pets.
Reports and presentations were read and enjoyed from the chairman of the GFWC Signature Program on Domestic & Sexual Violence Awareness & Prevention. The GFWC International Convention was held in New Orleans in June. Highlights were presented by GFWC Maine Immediate Past President Carol Jarvais. The GFWC New England Region Conference was held in Warwick, Rhode Island in September. Highlights were presented by Jennifer Mabee, GFWC Maine Northern District co-president. Interactive workshops were presented by the GFWC Maine Leadership chairman, Membership chairman, and Communications & Public Relations chairman. The clubwomen of GFWC Maine are busy!
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.