MONROE - GFWC Monroe Woman's Club members attended the Wisconsin GFWC Woman's Club Convention May 18-20 in Eau Claire.
Those attending were: Kathy Reffue, State Resolutions Committee chairwoman; Melisa Schmidt-Zettle, state Leadership Education and Development Seminar chairwoman; and Marlea Steiner, current GFWC Monroe president.
Business was conducted for the organization, with speakers on human trafficking, autism, cancer nutrition and fitness, and Easter Seals, which is a partner organization with Woman's clubs. The international second vice president, Deb Strahanoski, spoke at the banquet. Fundraisers included a cork pull for a corresponding bottle of wine, ribbons to decorate a tree, candy, jewelry, nuts, decorated pillows and a decorated bag/purse sold for a donation to the cancer society and Aurora Cancer Oncology Unit. The cancer projects are state president Sue LaBuda's special project for the biennium.
Monroe elementary students received awards for writing short stories and poetry. The winner for kindergarten through second grade in poetry was Finian Hoeper, "What Makes Me Happy?"; the winner for kindergarten through second grade in short story was Beckett Smith, "Castle Day"; winner for third through fifth grade in short story was Katrina Sathoff, "My First Deer"; winner for third through fifth grade in poetry was Ryan Mathiason, "Thanksgiving"; and winner for sixth through eighth grade in poetry was Rachel King, "The Story of My Life."
The Monroe club received the Arts Best Single Project for the state award. This involved the students in the Helen Mears Art Contest and short story and poetry writing, member art entries at Southern Prairies district and winners to the state contest, donating $2,000 to the Monroe Arts Center for the capital campaign, a summer children's library program and underwriting a MAC program for $250. The membership Best Overall award was received for recruiting new members, with the result that Monroe is the largest Woman's Club in Wisconsin.
Activities included providing each new member with a folder containing bylaws, a yearbook and information about the club; mentoring the new members by putting them on a committee; picking them up for a meeting; helping them to get to know other members; sharing membership ideas with other clubs; rewarding members for recruiting; and food and fellowship.
The club also received the Communication Best Overall award for starting a Facebook page; writing articles for the club newsletter, the local newspaper and the Chamber newsletter; continually revising current documents; sharing information about the history with members; honoring members and 50-year members; emailing and calling members; checking the post office mailbox; keeping a yearbook of all meetings and helpful information; attending grand opening events in the community; getting advice from seasoned leaders; growing in leadership; being a Chamber of Commerce member; and reporting successes for this award.
Members Beth Kindschi and Marlea Steiner participated in a six-week walking challenge. Kindschi received the second-place award for second most steps and earned a check for $25. Both women received second place with their combined steps, and the club received a check for $30.
Monroe also took the 764 bras that were collected in the community for the Free the Girls Project. The state collected more than 2,500 bras for the project. They will be sent to developing nations to set up businesses to help women earn income instead of sex trafficking.
Blanchardville Woman's Club received the Best Single Project in Home Life for the four bloodmobiles held a year.
Those attending were: Kathy Reffue, State Resolutions Committee chairwoman; Melisa Schmidt-Zettle, state Leadership Education and Development Seminar chairwoman; and Marlea Steiner, current GFWC Monroe president.
Business was conducted for the organization, with speakers on human trafficking, autism, cancer nutrition and fitness, and Easter Seals, which is a partner organization with Woman's clubs. The international second vice president, Deb Strahanoski, spoke at the banquet. Fundraisers included a cork pull for a corresponding bottle of wine, ribbons to decorate a tree, candy, jewelry, nuts, decorated pillows and a decorated bag/purse sold for a donation to the cancer society and Aurora Cancer Oncology Unit. The cancer projects are state president Sue LaBuda's special project for the biennium.
Monroe elementary students received awards for writing short stories and poetry. The winner for kindergarten through second grade in poetry was Finian Hoeper, "What Makes Me Happy?"; the winner for kindergarten through second grade in short story was Beckett Smith, "Castle Day"; winner for third through fifth grade in short story was Katrina Sathoff, "My First Deer"; winner for third through fifth grade in poetry was Ryan Mathiason, "Thanksgiving"; and winner for sixth through eighth grade in poetry was Rachel King, "The Story of My Life."
The Monroe club received the Arts Best Single Project for the state award. This involved the students in the Helen Mears Art Contest and short story and poetry writing, member art entries at Southern Prairies district and winners to the state contest, donating $2,000 to the Monroe Arts Center for the capital campaign, a summer children's library program and underwriting a MAC program for $250. The membership Best Overall award was received for recruiting new members, with the result that Monroe is the largest Woman's Club in Wisconsin.
Activities included providing each new member with a folder containing bylaws, a yearbook and information about the club; mentoring the new members by putting them on a committee; picking them up for a meeting; helping them to get to know other members; sharing membership ideas with other clubs; rewarding members for recruiting; and food and fellowship.
The club also received the Communication Best Overall award for starting a Facebook page; writing articles for the club newsletter, the local newspaper and the Chamber newsletter; continually revising current documents; sharing information about the history with members; honoring members and 50-year members; emailing and calling members; checking the post office mailbox; keeping a yearbook of all meetings and helpful information; attending grand opening events in the community; getting advice from seasoned leaders; growing in leadership; being a Chamber of Commerce member; and reporting successes for this award.
Members Beth Kindschi and Marlea Steiner participated in a six-week walking challenge. Kindschi received the second-place award for second most steps and earned a check for $25. Both women received second place with their combined steps, and the club received a check for $30.
Monroe also took the 764 bras that were collected in the community for the Free the Girls Project. The state collected more than 2,500 bras for the project. They will be sent to developing nations to set up businesses to help women earn income instead of sex trafficking.
Blanchardville Woman's Club received the Best Single Project in Home Life for the four bloodmobiles held a year.
