All about the GFWC Conservation Community Service Program

The GFWC Conservation Community Service Program is designed  for members to gain an appreciation for our environment. Members  are encouraged to increase awareness of conservation issues, work  to preserve, maintain and restore our natural resources, preserve habitats for plants and animals, and participate in endeavors to beautify and sustain the world around us. Our natural resources include, but are not limited to, water, trees, plants, air, land, and wildlife.

IDEAS

•  Educate young people about the importance of protecting our natural resources.
• Invite local experts and members of community organizations to speak at club meetings about  conservation and beautification practices.
• Write op-ed pieces, letters to the editor, and press releases about important conservation issues  in your community and submit them to your local media.
• Plant native species for beautification and restoration of land and waterways.
• Clean up along roadways, waterways, and trails.
• Implement beautification projects at parks, hospitals, shelters, cemeteries, & other community  gathering places.
• Clean up trash after youth and adult sport and community events.
• Encourage preservation of historic properties.
• Visit a state or national park.
• Tour a botanical garden.
• Honor individuals and businesses for their gardens and civic pride with a “Garden of the Month” project.
• Plant and care for trees and donate funds for reforestation plans.
• Create community gardens to promote self-sufficiency.
• Advocate and investigate local food and where it comes from.
• Preserve natural habitats to protect wildlife.
• Provide local shelters and sanctuaries with needed items for animal rehabilitation and care.
• Support curbside recycling programs, utilize drop-off and buy-back recycling centers, or organize  a recycling program if none exist.
• Work with local officials and organizations to facilitate proper disposal of unused medicine and needles.
• Participate and/or volunteer at a local household hazardous waste collection day event.
• Visit a landfill and discover the waste disposal practices which are in place to protect the land, air, and water.
• Implement energy conservation practices in your clubhouse, home, office, & public buildings.
• Investigate renewable energy projects and sources in your area.
• Participate in an awareness day such as Arbor Day, America Recycles Day, Earth

All about the GFWC Arts Community Service Program

The GFWC Arts Community Service Program encourages mem-bers to promote and support arts activities in their clubs, schools, and communities. It is designed to  inspire clubwomen.   As Pablo Picasso once said, “Every child is an artist, the problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.” The goal is to create programs and projects that include music, literature, dance, drama, theatre, and other arts related areas, both traditional and innovative. 

IDEAS:

• Host an art supply drive within your club. Contact your local school district or   com-munity center  to see what is needed.
• “Hire” student jazz combos, string quartets, or even the whole band to perform at club events.
• Hold a fundraiser to purchase a large piece of equipment for your local schools’ art, music,  or drama departments, such as a potter’s wheel, kiln, microphones, or tech-nology.)
• Attend public art displays, plays, and concerts as part of a social event for your club.
• Use member art for club cookbook covers, greeting cards, program covers, etc.
• Sponsor ads in local theater or school theatre playbills.
• Use an artistic event to raise funds to sponsor local community art and cultural programs.
• Sponsor an author visit to your local library.
• Establish scholarships for students studying the arts such as literature, drama, or music.  This could be to attend an arts school or summer camp.
• Establish awards that acknowledge the artistic achievements of club and  community members.
• Sponsor Youth Art Month activities in your community during the month of March.
• Establish and support artist-in-residence programs and artist speakers.
• Members enter the District 8 Arts competition in February.
• Members attend the District 8 Arts meeting in Zephyrhills in February.

March of Dimes Upcoming Event

March of Dimes, which is a partner to the GFWC will be sponsoring their annual March for Babies Walk on Saturday, April 29  8am at Wiregrass Mall.  We would love to have a club team.  To join and make a donation use this link: https://www.marchforbabies.org/EventInfo/?si=&PersonId=&EventID=18398&SeId=ViewBag.SelectedTeamEventId 

Laurel and Sharon plan to walk and would love to have others join them!