From the GFWC IL Director of Junior Clubs

From Patti Kuchar, GFWC IL Director of Junior Clubs

Welcome to the GFWC IL website! There is so much information here including: this administration’s themes and special emphases, LEADS & Leadership, Membership and members, Communications and clubs, Events, Forms, Booklets, Registration to various meetings, and the annual Yearbook (which was provided in print form to club & district presidents or directors in September 2022).

As a new GFWC IL administration begins, know that we are all here for you too! We’ve gotten a good start with an in-person State Convention and a Summer Seminar via Zoom with lots of members attending both. A big thank you to our GFWC International President, Deb Strahanoski, for the wonderful installation ceremony of Illinois state officers.

Summer has ended and fall is now upon us. Cooler weather, beautiful foliage, sports activities, plans for our Junior Clubs’ year of projects, programs, and meetings. We have all learned these past few years the different ways we may accomplish our goals – from meetings in person or virtually, holding fundraisers, installation of officers, and everything else Junior Clubs in Illinois want to do. From all the awards given at district meetings or banquets to the State Convention in spring, I would say we know how to not only carry on but excel, no matter what challenges we face. The Juniors of Illinois certainly shined in 2021–2022. 

We now have a few merged districts, as well as new officers and Board of Directors. There are some new and continuing themes such as food insecurity for children, the GFWC Junior special project of Advocates for Children and the Illinois Junior special project of CRF – Children’s Research Foundation. Now, as we start up again, I’m looking at Rainbows and Ruby Red Slippers as President LeeAnn and I find that THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE GFWC!