April is here, the flowers are blooming, the air is getting warmer and we are all ready to work in our gardens, get out the lawn furniture or just shed the heavy coats. March did not leave us quietly but we are now getting into the renewal season and it is time to enjoy the warmer weather.
“Today whenever women gather together it is not necessarily nurturing. It is coalition building. And if you feel the strain, you may be doing some good work.” —Bernice Johnson Reagon
As we work toward the end of the club year, our committees are wrapping up a very successful term. Each and every committee has made a difference within our club and in the community. Thank you to everyone who helped or supported each committee one way or another. I recognize that it can be time-consuming and even stressful at times but when you reflect and look back on all you have done, you know you did great work. Thank you!
Also, this is the time for me to send around the committees list to allow each of you to see which committee you are suited for. I have not put the names of the current committee members on this list unless you have contacted me within the last month. I will send around the committee list for everyone to see and sign up on. Any of the current committee members that do not add their names to the list at our meeting, I will contact directly to confirm whether you wish to continue in your present position. Again, it takes all of us to be successful. All of you have skills that are so valuable to each committee and to all of us.
This is also the end of the two-year term of the present Executive Board. I want to personally thank Denise H., Cheryl F. and Denise P. for working on the Nominating Committee. They are ready to present the 2022/2024 Executive Board to be voted on at our April meeting. We will be voting at the beginning of our meeting so that we can move on to the rest of the news that needs to be shared with all of you.
April 24th to 26th is the NJSFWC State Convention in Atlantic City. Denise H. and Debbie H. will represent the club all three days, and we have a very large contingent attending the Tuesday, April 26th presentations. I wish to congratulate all of our Honor Roll Nominees and our Order of the Lily recipient. I am very excited to share this day with all our award winners.
The Garden District Spring Conference is April 14th. Linda J. has done an outstanding job getting all of our reservations in and submitting the art entries. This is a big job and Linda does it with such ease. I expect to hear of many award winners from our club. I will be writing a President’s Report on our activities for the past two months which will be presented at this meeting. The Woman’s Club of West Deptford will be hosting the June Garden District Meeting at St. Paul’s Church on Thursday the 9th. This is an evening meeting. More information will be forthcoming as the dates get closer.
The organizations on our Donations List that have been approved at our March meeting will be receiving their checks this month. Peg S. and Jody H. have been working together to get the checks out in a timely fashion. Thank you to all our club sisters for supporting these worthwhile organizations that make a difference to so many. We are so fortunate that all the hard work and support that you all gave to our Internal Fundraisers and to our Basket Raffle have allowed us to be able to help families and service organizations in our Township.
The GFWC has shared a very heartfelt article on the Women’s Club in the Ukraine and how these strong, brave women are helping and supporting families at this turbulent time. They have suggested that clubs that want to may help by donating to UNICEF, who will get the monies to those who need help. Look for more information in this newsletter on how the WCWD can help.
I have also received a phone call from Kim M. from the Gloucester County Parks and Rec Department. We have been asked to put up a booth for their June 11th Summer Kick-Off at the James G. Atkinson Park. This will run from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Your Executive Board came up with some great ideas and are thrilled to be able to showcase our commitment to the community. We will have a signup sheet for 2 people to sign up for 2-hour periods to man the booth. More information will be coming as it gets closer.
Thank you to our Social Committee for working on our June Installation and Dinner Meeting. By majority vote, we will be having our dinner at Hollywood on June 14th. The ladies were able to keep the cost down and I look forward to having our end-of-the-year dinner with all of you. Look for more information on this at our meeting and in this newsletter.
Yes, we are wrapping up our club year, but we are not slowing down yet. Enjoy each day as it is a gift; bask in the little things as our days go by quickly. I look forward to seeing all of you at our April meeting.
Happy Easter!
April