GFWC NEWS AND NOTES
Dear GFWC Members:
As we welcome 2026 with plans and programs to enrich our communities, we must also keep our minds sharp and our bodies fit with new and exciting experiences. And nothing fits the bill better than international travel!
Building on the success of the 2025 GFWC Tour to Ireland, I’m excited to invite you to explore “Iconic England and the Great British Garden” July 17-26, 2026. It is called “Iconic” because the tour features England’s best country homes and gardens: Arley Hall, Chatsworth House, and Royal Sandringham; it’s most stunning landscapes: the Peak District National Park and the Yorkshire Dales; it’s most historic cities: York, Lincoln, Cambridge, and London; and the very best events of the year: The Royal Horticultural Society Sandringham Flower Show and the exhibition “Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style,” an event that celebrates the 100th anniversary of the Queen’s birth with more than 200 items, including her wedding and coronation gowns.
Along the way, the tour will visit the beautiful village of Grassington where PBS’s All Creatures Great and Small is filmed. It also offers a working sheepdog demonstration and a visit to Wensleydale Creamery for a taste of artisan cheeses, plus a variety of museum experiences.
Best of all, every day will be shared with other GFWC members from near and far, who will soon become your new best friends. This incredible tour, a unique once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, will truly be a journey of discovery, inspiration, and friendship!
For more information and an opportunity to register, please use the link below, which will connect you with the website of our travel Company, ACIS, also known as the American Council for International Studies. The company is well known for its attention to detail, top-notch guides, exacting standards, and commitment to excellence. A $500 deposit reserves your spot and guarantees this price if registered by February 15. If you have questions or need assistance with registration, please contact Marian St.Clair, the ACIS Group Contact, at marian.stclair@gmail.com.
Please join me on this great adventure!
Suellen B. Brazil | GFWC International President
Early Access to Convention Room Booking
Westin Kierland Resort & Spa | Scottsdale, AZ
2026 GFWC Annual Convention | June 27-29 |
GFWC invites you to join us where the desert skies meet limitless possibility. The 2026 GFWC Annual Convention, June 27-29, takes place in vibrant Scottsdale at the beautiful Westin Kierland Resort & Spa. Surrounded by breathtaking landscapes and glowing sunsets, members will gather under the theme of Climbing Together, Shaping Tomorrow.
This forward-looking convention blends meaningful business sessions, celebrating the achievements of states and clubs, and includes inspiring speakers, engaging workshops that strengthen leadership skills, and spark innovation. The convention culminates with the grand Installation of the 2026-2028 GFWC Officers and Board of Directors.
Be part of it all – discover, connect, and experience the best the 2026 GFWC Annual Convention has to offer.
When the Call for Advocacy Come from Your Home
by: Jennifer Stalvey, GFWC Georgia Director of Junior Clubs
A 10-year-old girl writes a letter to her mom outlining abuse endured for over a year by her older male cousin. She begs her mom not to tell, but her mom knows the girl will need help, and her mom calls the local Children’s Advocacy Center for guidance and starts the process of reporting the crime. Over the next 18 months, the girl and mom attend separate counseling sessions. The girl discloses the story to her mom, and the abuse is worse than the mom thought, and she weeps as it is read. Five years later, the little girl is a sophomore in high school, and she plays volleyball and is an honor student. The family breaks, but the nephew is on the father’s side, and his family chooses to ignore the abuse. The mom didn’t; she was an advocate. That’s me.
My special project is Advocates for Children, and it was chosen because it is personally meaningful to me. The Georgia clubwomen have participated in several projects for Advocates for Children over the 2024-2026 Administration. During the 2024 GFWC Georgia Institute, over 590 books and 168 pajamas were donated to an advocacy center in the Southwest District.
Another time, during the 2025 GFWC Georgia Convention, over $1,600 was raised for a local Northeast District Advocacy Center at a Lip Sync Battle. Also, the 2025 GFWC Georgia Institute provided bears, books, and bags for the United Way and Ronald McDonald House, while the Juniors completed a project for local shelters to provide socks for children.
As the Administration comes to an end, we will complete one more service project at the 2026 GFWC Georgia Convention to benefit Advocates for Children.
Chairmen’s Articles
Access a variety of chairman’s articles anytime on the GFWC Member Portal under News & Publications!
“Don’t Be Slow, Oh No, No, No!”
by: Katie Moydell, GFWC Community Impact Program (CIP) Chairman
“Take the last train to Clarksville…”
“Wake up little Suzy, wake up…”
You may be asking, “What exactly do the Everly Brothers and The Monkees have to do with CIP, Katie?” Well, they are now your visual and auditory reminder that the deadline for the Community Improvement Program contest is quickly approaching, and you can’t be late! Club entries are due to state chairmen by March 1, 2026. Entries may be sent via mail or electronically, if digitally accepted by your state.
Please note that effective December 24, 2025, the US Post Office timestamps will reflect date of first processing at a regional center and NOT drop-off date. Please plan accordingly. All entries should reflect projects planned and executed between January 1, 2024, and December 31, 2025, with the following criteria provided on the award entry form:
- Brief description of the project and the issue/problem you are trying to solve
- Project scope including:
- The plan of action
- Costs to implement and how the project was funded
- Community collaboration, if any
- Obstacles, if any, you overcame to implement the project
- Results achieved and the long-term effects of the project on the community
- Public relations and media (including internet, newspaper articles, social media, television, etc.), including pictures of the project activities
Total entry cannot exceed 10 pages, including photos, media, etc. Once state chairmen have awarded their club entries, first place winners will be shared with Second Vice President Mary Beth Williams and me. The Top Project will be awarded $2,500 at the 2026 GFWC Annual Convention in Scottsdale. Clubs awarded first place in their state federation will receive $100 from GFWC once all state conventions have been convened.
I look forward to reading about all the wonderful and beneficial ways you all have made an impact on your communities! “Don’t be slow, oh no, no, no!”
“Time for Your Photos to Shine!
By: Tric Heepe, GFWC Photography Contest Chairman
Now is the perfect time to showcase your talent behind the list! Look at your 2025 photos and decide if they fit one or more of the four categories: Reflections, Our World Up Close, Natural Wonders, and Living the Volunteer Spirit. You may submit one photo per category for your state contest. Chances are, your photo is digital, so make it easy and submit it digitally! Or submit an 8×10, mounted, and not matted
You must submit a signed Waiver with your name, club name, address, phone number, email address, and a short description of the circumstances surrounding the photo. Check with your State Chairman for your state contest.
Please review the guidelines in the GFWC Club Manual. If you have any questions, please contact me at Theepe@aol.com or 765-969-1891.,Please note: The GFWC Creative Arts Waiver Form is a separate document that must be submitted with each entry.
“GFWC Learning Gateway Series – Register Today!
The final two webinars featuring GFWC Honorary Chairmen are scheduled for Tuesday, February 10, and Tuesday, April 7, starting at 7 PM ET. Click on the hyperlinked text below to register.
1) Maintain lifelong heart wellness – February 10 @ 7 PM ET features Dr. Benjamin Citrin, President and Founder of Citrin Cardiology, P.C., will discuss women’s cardiac health, focusing on proven strategies to help maintain lifelong heart wellness.
2) April 7 @ 7 PM ET – “Dancing With Your Brain” features co-presenters Amy S. Peele, RN, and Dr. Dave Wilson, who will discuss neurological health to optimize your daily brain function.
Join the GFWC Member Portal
Gain access to the GFWC Digital Library Resources, connect with fellow club members, view photo galleries, and so much more!
