Well, hello there! Hope you’ve had the summer you envisioned and that you are already curious about what your club will be offering this year. The kick-off event, written about on the first page of this newsletter, is sure to be a highlight of the year and perfectly launches another dynamic suite of speakers. With many hours still ahead of them, heaps of thanks to all involved, especially our Program Chair, Promotions Convenor, Graphic Designer and acting Past President who have done an incredible amount of work in a short time.
I joined CFUW St. Catharines with high hopes for connections and to make a difference but my passion for the club was ignited only once I had joined interest groups and helped with the fundraising efforts. And once involved in leadership, I found the friends I’d been missing all my life. I hope you feel the same.
Members: longer term, newer or new, what can I do to help you make the most of your club year? My number is 905-525-0111 and my notepad and pen will be ready. Or email me at christineelizabethmarks@gmail.com
With my mind on fundraising and raising the club’s visibility in the Niagara community, I’ve been reading, or rather, “studying” a book by Hank Moore called “NonProfit Legends. For Humanity and Good Citizenship.” Both a social club and one of service, much of our organization’s work is done quietly. From my perspective, much too quietly! How to change that? I have some ideas, let me know if you do too.
Furthermore, from the main page of CFUW national website ( https://www.cfuw.org/ ), we learn that our organization has been active for over 100 years, and currently has about 95 clubs across Canada with 6,500 members who work “to improve the status of women, and to promote human rights, public education, social justice, and peace.” A little further down we see that coast-to-coast, an average of $1M is raised annually. Fundraising is just a part of the service our club provides (think: volunteer hours to run our club and serve the community) however I believe we have the capacity to elevate that national average.
Stay tuned! The Makers Market was a bit of a test and there is a new big event brewing for this year. It should generate name recognition for CFUW St. Catharines while leveraging on community partnerships so that our club can do more than its share of that $1M.