Happy New Year Georgia Clubwomen! 2009 is almost here and I am looking forward to an exciting and wonderful year for GaFWC. I hope each of you had a wonderful holiday and are now getting back in gear to get your club reports done. Don't forget all club reports must be postmarked by February 1, 2009. I want to also remind you that club dues are due by December 31, 2008. So if your club hasn't paid your dues, please do so within the next few days.

I wanted to express my sincere graditude to all of you for the support given to the students at Tallulah Falls School for their 2008 Christmas gifts. We handed out all the gifts on Friday, December 19th. The students really liked the new all weather jackets purchased with the funds you donated. The scarfs done by you were also a great hit! The students were thrilled with them and truly appreciated this personal touch. I wish each of you could have been there to see their faces and receive their personal thanks.

Your club will be receiving the call to convention around the latter part of February 2009 so be on the lookout and remember to ask your club President about it. The deadline for registration will be around April 1, 2009. I hope each of you will be making plans to join us in Augusta, GA on April 17 - 19, 2009 at the Augusta Marriott on Riverwalk.

Don't forget the Lodge can still use any table games and DVD's. If you have some spare of any of these, please forward them to The Lodge.

One more reminder - the State Office e-mail address is changing as of February. It will be gafederationofwomen@windstream.net. Please be on the lookout for information regarding this change.

Once again my best wishes for the New Year and please let me know if I can help in any way.

Federation Love,
Brenda

Deadlines & Leadership Tip

Dear Georgia Clubwomen,
First of all thank you to all the Districts for your wonderful hospitality shown to me and Shelby during our visits. We had a great time and each of the District Presidents did a great job in conducting the meetings. Each one was unique and this President thoroughly enjoyed her visits during this past month.

I just have a few things to remind you about. Don't forget to make a contribution to "Christmas at Tallulah". We use these funds to purchase the Christmas gift for all the students at TFS. Even though it is too late to get credit on your Goal Sheet, it is not too late to send in your money for this project. I thank each individual and club who has made a contribution for this project. We will be distributing the gifts on December 19th. Also, a very special thank you to all the ladies who knitted scarves as part of this year's Christmas gift. I understand from Kitty Wise that we have enough scarves, but she will still accept any scarves sent - all are welcome.

Remember that club dues are due by December 31st in order for your club to be eligible for judging in February. I hope all the clubs are getting geared up to do reporting. All the reporting forms are now out on the web site for you to download and use. Please let me know if you have any questions or problems.

Also, the GaFWC Georgia Clubwoman Newsletter is out on the website. I hope you will take the time to read and download. All club presidents should have received their copy by now as well as those who had subscribed either via regular mail or by e-mail. Please let either myself or Valorie at the State Office know if you did not receive your copy.

Shari Carter, GaFWC 1st Vice President/President-Elect has submitted the following as a good leadership tip for all clubs. Hope you enjoy:

Building the Leadership of Your Club

As a general rule, officers do not just show up over night.

You must plan for the care and nurturing of potential officers,

in order to guarantee a full and effective board over the years.

Members need to see becoming a leader as a good investment for their time.

The club once again had to struggle to fill the board. Kate, the new President, decided to take on this annual problem as her legacy for her year in office. Kate believed their refusal to serve was due to more than just a lack of time. Kate started to call members who had never served on the board and ask them why they hadn't served.

Over and over the answer was "No time."

Kate refused to accept that as the real reason. She changed her question a bit and made a fe more phone calls. Kate explained that her goal this year was to make being an officer more attractive to more members. She needed their help because she wanted people like them to consider stepping up. Her members were impressed that she wanted their opinion.

"If time wasn't an issue, would you consider serving on our Club's board?" Kate asked her members.

The answers were different this time.

Kate heard things like ...

The board seems to have a lot meetings, but doesn't get much done.

The board members always complain about how long the board meetings run.

The board is always handling a crisis and I don't need more stress.

The board is always hanging out together at meetings and I don't feel like I am included.

My biggest objection to serving is that it doesn't look like its any fun.

These observations were an eye-opener to Kate. Kate knew that to achieve her goal, she must try to listen carefully and hear everything her members shared with her.

Member's perceptions of serving as an officer, did not match the actual experience - Kate had a PR problem!

Kate decided to take her discoveries to her next board meeting. She pared down her agenda and as a team, they will create a strategy for making serving as an officer more attractive to their members. Are you frustrated about the lack of members willing to serve as officers and/or perhaps even the lack of members simply showing up for your meetings? Your officers may be to close to the problem to see the answers to solve your challenge.

Your members have the answers! All you have to do is ask the right questions and listen carefully.

I think the above is great advice. I hope all clubs as you search for new officers or even new members will try to evaluate your club and strategize to get more members involved and to get new members.

Please remember I am always available to answer questions or assist your club in any way. Good luck to all of you as you begin your reporting process.

Federation Love,
Brenda Martin
GaFWC President
2008-2010

Welcome to Brenda's Blog! This is a communication tool I plan to use to keep Georgia Clubwomen informed and updated. Shelby and I are currently visiting all the Districts during the month of October. I just want to remind everyone to please be sure to get a copy of the corrected programs for your yearbook. "Focus on Financial", Citizenship" and "Domestic Violence" are all incorrect in your yearbook. I have been bringing copies with me to the District meetings so please be sure to pick up a copy. If you did not, you may contact the State Office to have a copy sent to you.

Also, I would like to remind all clubs that your dues are due by December 31st. Don't forget to also send in a club roster with your dues.

Anytime you need to get in contact with me please do not hesitate to do so. My phone numbers and e-mail are listed in the yearbook. I look forward to using this Blog to keep you informed.

Federation Love,
Brenda Martin
GaFWC President
2008-2010

First post!

This is the first post on our brand new blog! Keep your eyes open for news and updates to come.