Membership
CHAIRMAN
Mary Fenstermacher
4348 Wendy Way
Schwenksville, PA 19473-2093
610.489.2937 m80fenstermacher@gmail.com
District Chairman
Northeastern District: Debra Ganz
645 Bennett Street Luzerne, PA 18709
570.881.2948 supersub44@aol.com
Southeastern District: Mary Fenstermacher
4348 Wendy Way Schwenksville, PA 19473-2093
610.489.2937 m80fenstermacher@gmail.com
North Central District
South Central District
Northwestern District: Peggy Westoff
927 Chelsea, Erie, PA 16505
814.833.6878 marypeg7@gmail.com
Southwestern District: Mary Jane Weisenstein
100 Tranquil Avenue
Butler, PA 16002-3858
724.679.3405 rbcdiamond@aol.com
“Coming together is a beginning, keeping together is progress, working together is success.”
— Henry Ford
Membership Matters!
This is again the top priority of this committee for the 2021-2022 club year. The Buzzing Bees are asking you to refer possible candidates and to contact former members that might be interested in rejoining. We would like to have each club increase its membership by 1 by January 2022. This would increase GFWC-PA membership by 69 new members. Remember to always make guests feel welcome.
Star Recruitment Pins and Circles will be awarded by GFWC as an incentive to members recruiting new members. The club name, the recruiters name and address and the new members name and address should be sent to me. I will then forward this information to GFWC. There are many steps to this program.
MOTIVATION MONDAY
A novel suggestion made by Becky Wright, GFWC membership chairman, was Motivational Monday. At the start of each week write a note, send an email or post a comment on social media using #IAmGFWC to recognize a clubwoman that has done something remarkable, chaired a successful project, shared a good idea, provided encouragement to someone needing a boost, or has just been their terrific self. We all enjoy being appreciated!
Does your club have a social media site? This enables members to view events and learn about fundraisers. If your club does not have one, it might be a good idea to install one.
Remember membership is every member’s responsibility!
As you look to recruit members consider – the more you tell the more you sell!
GFWC – PA…
Provides opportunities for friendship
Diversified interests
Opportunities to mold public opinion
Broadened viewpoints
Acquire/renew/maintain the use of modern technology
Enables creativity
Motivational Monday
Mentoring programs
Leadership training
Our Goal – each club acquire 1 new member by January 2022.
It is our desire to make membership in GFWC-PA rewarding, challenging and stimulating.
First impressions matter – Remember you are selling something of worth!
- INFORM – Provide each attendee with a packet of information, club brochure, calendar of meetings and events, GFWC brochure and a contact name, Also, include a club yearbook and newsletter.
- Send a thank you note to those attending and invite them to attend the next meeting.
- Consider assigning a mentor to a new member. Friendships are made quickly.
- Immediately make the new member feel that she can make a meaningful contribution to the club and also the community.
- It is so important to stay connected with your members with an email or a phone call or a cheery note if they miss a meeting.
- Happy, involved members who are part of a well-run club where members input is valued, and their efforts are appreciated will be part of our organization for a long time.
- Consider having a New Member or orientation.
MEMBER MATTERS
The first step is to get the community women to attend a club meeting/event.
Are you selling something of worth; worth their time and worthwhile to the community? Be a PROUD and ENTHUSIASTIC saleswomen!
This year my challenge, again, is to recruit 69 new members. How might we attempt to accomplish this task?
- A personal invitation to a friend or acquaintance
- Ask each member to bring 1 guest to a meeting
- Activities as “Meet and Greet”, “Pot Luck Dinners”, “Wine and Cheese Parties”, “Ice Cream Socials”, “Game Nights”
- Invite guests that have attended your fund raisers
- Invite new residents to your community
- Invite former members to rejoin your club
- Be creative – consult your members
Be sure that your meeting/event is interesting, entertaining and fun.
Membership Focus – “Be in the Game!”
HAVE YOU BEEN . . .
THE LOUDEST CHEERLEADER FOR YOUR CLUB‘S PROJECTS?
THE COACH ON THE SIDELINE WITH ALL THE EXPERIENCE?
A FOUNDER OF THE CLUB (FRANCHISE OWNER)?
THE PERSON SELLING THE CONCESSIONS (WORKER/VOLUNTEER)?
All of those roles were important to your club and they have guided you to this point in your club’s history. Now it is time to put down the clipboard and pompoms and get in the game! Your club needs YOUR skills to bring in new members to your organization. We can all use more helping hands for our community service projects.
HUDDLE FOR FEDERATION!
Your Unity in Diversity Team is in tip top shape and ready for a season of great plays! So don’t be on the sidelines or up in the booth or watching in the stands.
The Focus for the Membership Team is to contact every membership club and/or county chairman in Pennsylvania.
This chairman or your district chairman will call you to discuss any membership questions, concerns or successes you have achieve with membership.
We will offer our ear to gather information and then your state membership team will huddle to work out a strategy for your club to gain new members.
We will also offer suggestions to keep your “team” together so you can score the goals your club has set forth for this administration.
While you are conducting your “pre-season workouts”, we have a great tool for you to utilize. GFWC Membership Grants. These grants are available to clubs to assist with the recruitment efforts. Funds are designated each GFWC fiscal year beginning July 1 and ending June 30 to help underwrite membership recruiting and rebuilding in your community. GFWC offers $50 for club member recruitment programs. You must return the application form to GFWC Headquarters at least 45 days prior to your event. You must be the club president or membership chairman to apply for the grant. On the grant application you will explain your recruiting strategy, activities you will use to achieve your goal, and an outline of the budget for your event. (Food, marketing materials, venue, supplies, etc.) GFWC will award a maximum of one grant per club per GFWC fiscal year. The grant awardees will be notified on the following dates:
Notify fall winners and distribute grant funds: September
Notify winter winners and distribute grant funds: December
Notify spring winners and distribute grant funds: March
Notify summer winners and distribute grant funds: June
We will continue the work of the previous administration by celebrating your club members’ successes with the Star Recruitment Pins.
RECRUITMENT CAMPAIGN – “UNITY IN DIVERSITY”
Focus on Retention – June, July and August
Focus on Recruitment – September, October and November
Focus on Mentoring – December, January and February
Focus on Recognition – March, April and May
REMEMBER DIVERSITY:
Different
Individuals
Valuing
Each Other
Regardless Of
Skin
Intellect
Talents Or
Years
Think Outside The Box
Local sports organizations are a great way to maximize your audience to talk about GFWC and potentially gain new members. Look for partnering opportunities with other organizations. Make contact. Tell them who we are, what we do for the community and how partnering can benefit both organizations.
GOAL SETTING FOR MEMBERSHIP INCREASE:
The future of a club depends on its ability to maintain and increase its membership. Invite at least one prospective member to a meeting or club event, distribute a GFWC/club brochure to a prospective member or distribute in a place of business for clients/customers to pick it up, participate in planning a membership recruitment activity.
SCHEDULE EXTRA TIME FOR MEMBERS TO SOCIALIZE:
At the first meeting of the club year, it is always fun to find out what everyone did or went during the club’s summer break.
HOW ABOUT AN ICE BREAKER?
After a long summer break, introductions may be needed to help “refresh” our memories of members’ name. Have each member introduce herself and answer a question with a “short” reply, i.e. “Where did you go this summer?”
Or what special day you or your family celebrated this past summer.
Milestone Wedding Anniversary, a new Grand Child, a new Great Grand Child, something special in your life.
“Many persons have a wrong idea of what constitutes true happiness. It is not attained through self-gratification but through fidelity to a worthy purpose.”
— Helen Keller
Join a Club Near You
Reach out to our membership chairman for help finding a club near you.
For general inquiries, contact Headquarters below or the Chairman of a specific program or advancement area.
4076 Market Street, Ste 211
Camp Hill, PA 17011-4200
T: 717-901-5095
gfwcpaclubs@comcast.net
Mary Fenstermacher
4348 Wendy Way
Schwenksville, PA 19473-2093
T: 610.489.2937 m80fenstermacher@gmail.com
