2. GFWC California Federation of Women’s Clubs
A part of the oldest organization of volunteer women in the world, The General Federation of Women’s Clubs

3. The General Federation of Women’s Clubs
Headquarters building
The General Federation of Women’s Clubs is an international women’s organization dedicated to community improvement by enhancing the lives of others through volunteer service.

4. The General Federation of The California Federation of
Our Logos & Mottos
The General Federation of
Women’s Clubs
The California Federation of
Women’s Clubs
“Strength United is Stronger” “Unity In Diversity”

5. Local Clubs General Federation of Women’s Clubs Organizational Chart
Districts
Areas
GFWC California Federation of Women’s Clubs
Regions
General Federation of Women’s Clubs

6. Our history has roots in the Women’s movements such as suffrage, abolition, and temperance
In 1868, our founder Jane Cunningham Croly, whose pen name was Jennie June, a newspaper reporter was denied admittance to a men’s Press club event because she was a woman.
Mrs. Croly  decided to start her own club in New York, called Sorosis because it means to multiply or be bountiful.

7. Phoebe Hearst from the Century Club in San Francisco is elected from the floor as the first GFWC Treasurer
California becomes part of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs, GFWC

8. The California Federation of Women’s Clubs is Born
January 1900 the CFWC is formed
Becoming the 37th State to Join the GFWC
The Motto is “Strength United is Stronger”
There are 244 Clubs in the CFWC today all over the State

9. The GFWC & CFWC fight for the passage of The Pure Food & Drug Act
Members of the GFWC & the CFWC  “spearhead a letter and telegram writing campaign”
which historians attribute the passing of the Pure Food & Drug Act of 1906

10. We have worked to fill our libraries with books
The GFWC started about 75% of the nation’s libraries
Our clubs started the first mobile & small libraries
We have raised and donated million dollars worth of books to libraries from 1997 to about with our libraries 2000 project
The CFWC & other state federations are continuing to donate books to public and school libraries everywhere

11. One of the first projects was to mark the El Camino Real with Mission Bells
The CFWC in June 1902 lead by Mrs. Forbes & Mrs. Olney in partnership with the Native Daughters of the Golden West implemented the Mission Bell project
The road was not paved at this time
158 bells were installed by 1915

12. The CFWC & the white line on our roads
June McCarroll is run off the road by a truck while driving near Indio
She paints a white line down the road by herself when no one will listen to her idea
The Indio Women’s Club & the CFWC wage a letter writing campaign for the white lines down the center of California roads
In 1924 the California Highway Commission paints white lines on 3,500 miles of road at a cost of $163,000

13. The CFWC helps to establish The Juvenile Court System
The Friday Morning Women’s Club with 1,000 members, the largest club on the west coast, politically supported the new court system
Miriam Van Waters chaired the Juvenile Court division of the CFWC
Caroline Severance and the Los Angles Women’s Club campaigned for the California Court System

14. What have we done Since 9-11?
By 2004 we, the members of GFWC all over the country had raised $180,000
We sent this money to New York City’s Fire Department to purchase one fully equipped ambulance with our GFWC logo on the side
Judy Lutz, the GFWC International President dedicates this ambulance from all the members of the GFWC in honor of all the men & women who lost their lives on September 11, 2001

15. How can you learn more about the CFWC?
We have many manuals and handouts that can be purchased
A Yearbook- Procedure book updated every year with different projects
Federation at a Glance- a short history and how to it for club jobs
The Art of Leadership- a leadership guide for our organization
Federation History Highlights- more about our entire history from 1900 on
CFWC Resolutions Book- resolutions tell you what the organization stands for
Membership handbook- how to get and keep more members

16. Other ways to learn more about the CFWC
The GFWC Clubwoman Magazine
The CFWC Clubwoman Magazine
GFWC News & Notes- newsletter
Quickbytes- CFWC newsletter
On Facebook at GFWC California Federation of Women’s Clubs
Many Club & District Facebook pages

17. Our 6 Community Service Programs
Art
Conservation
Education
Home Life
International Outreach
Public Issues

18. Special Projects Women’s History & Resource Center
Domestic Violence Awareness- our signature project
ESO, Epsilon Sigma Omicron- our reading Society

19. Our Awards & Contests
Jennie Award- given in even years to one member for being a special volunteer in each of 8 regions in GFWC
Community Improvement Program- a monetary award, given in even years by both CFWC and GFWC
Certificates from CFWC for the Community Service Programs, Advancement Programs & Signature Programs
Arts & Crafts, Photography, Writing & Music contests at each CFWC Convention

20. Members Benefits Friendships that could last a lifetime
A way to make your community better one project at a time
Learning about leadership and how to grow into a Community leader

21. Member Benefits from GFWC
Discounts on VIP pet insurance
Discount on rent-a-cars- Avis & Budget
Motel 6 discounts
Red Roof Inn discounts
Club insurance discounts
Office Depot & Office Max copy discounts
Many different vacation service discounts
Check out GFWC.ORG – member discounts & member benefits

22. You as Members as Have Responsibilities Too!
You should be attending meetings
Be kind to your members at meetings & away from Club
Work on your club projects when you can
Pay your dues on time
Help with fund raisers whenever possible
Help find and recruit new members
Attend District meeting when you can
Take a job when asked, from a chairmanship up to being the club President

23. Let us be done with fault-finding, And leave of self-seeking.
Collect For Clubwomen
Keep us, O God from pettiness, let us be large in thought in word, in deed
Let us be done with fault-finding, And leave of self-seeking.
May we put away all pretense, And meet each other face to face,
Without self pity and without prejudice.
May we never be hasty in judgment, And always generous.
Let us take time for all things, Make us to grow calm, serene, gentle.
Teach us to put into action our better impulses, Straight forward and unafraid.
Grant that we may realize – It is the little things that create differences,
That in the big things of life, we are as one.
And may we strive to touch and to know the great, Common human heart of us all,
And, O Lord God, Let us forget not to be kind!
Mary Stewart - Colorado, 1904

24. This is the place for you!
You know all you need to be a part of the
GFWC and the CFWC.
We are happy to meet you.
We welcome you into the GFWC and CFWC!