Hello GFWC IL Juniors!
In just one week, we will begin our celebration in Lisle, IL at the 120th GFWC IL Annual Convention with our LEADS seminar! I am most excited to be presenting this year and am looking forward to spending time with this year’s LEADS candidates.
Then on Thursday, May 16th, we will open the doors to kick off the start of Convention! Hoping you’ve made plans to join us for at least part of the time as this promises to be a fun, informative and uplifting time spent with your Federation sisters and special guests.
Our first special guest and featured speaker is Amy Logan, author of A Girl with a Cape, who will open our Thursday AM Business Session. A Girl with a Cape is a story of how little things add up to be big things, even when we don’t realize it – how our words are so powerful when we speak them to others and that what we say and how we say it can really become our “superhero cape”.
We will also be welcoming GFWC President Elect Sheila Shea, who graciously accepted our invitation to join us this year. You can hear all about what’s happening at GFWC Headquarters in Washington, DC when Sheila addresses our membership Thursday evening at the Federation Banquet. Sheila has been an active and dedicated Federation member for 40 years, 20 of those having served on the GFWC Board of Directors. She is positioned to assume the role of GFWC International President in 2016. She is a tremendous leader and speaker so you won’t want to miss her!
To open our Friday morning General Business Session, we have Jarrett Payton, son of NFL Hall of Famer and Chicago Bears legend, the late Walter Payton. Jarrett’s inspirational presentation will get you fired up and you’ll want to hear all about the work of his Foundation, which supports an anti-bullying message.
Friday also brings us the Unity Luncheon, where we celebrate coming together with the Generals as well as announce our Leadership Award winners for Junior of the Year, Outstanding Junior Service and Spark Plug, and hear from Pat Broggi from Children’s Research Foundation. After the luncheon, we will be giving out our Junior awards to the clubs. Then stay for our very own Derby Night Party – bring your hat!
Saturday brings us our closing Business Session and Awards Banquet Luncheon, where you will hear from Carol Simler, President & CEO of DuPage Pads, who is the largest provider of Interim (overnight) Housing in DuPage County. In 2014, DuPage Pads served 86 veterans, 144 families, 241 children and 1,360 individuals. Homelessness is everywhere and after hearing from Carol, you’ll understand it more than ever before and why her mission is to end homelessness in DuPage County.
This is just a brief glimpse into a packed three-day agenda; please consult the GFWC IL Clubwoman Magazine for a full listing of Convention activities. Please be a part of it!
In Federation Friendship,
Karyn
5 E. Van Buren Street,