What is GFWC and What is the Champaign-Urbana Junior Woman's Club?

 

The General Federation of Women's Clubs (GFWC) is the world's oldest nonpartisan, nondenominational women's volunteer service organization.  It was founded in 1890.  Working locally in more than 6,500 clubs in the United States and globally in more than 20 countries. The GFWC had its origins in 1890, when Sorosis, a women's literary club founded by journalist Jane Cunningham Croly, issued invitations to other women's literary clubs to form an organization with the goal of uniting "women's clubs to enhance community service by volunteers throughout the world."  During the 1990's, with local clubs in all 50 states and more than 20 countries, the organization addressed issues, such as literacy, discrimination against women, family and child welfare, and world hunger. GFWC members support the arts, preserve natural resources, promote education, encourage healthy lifestyles, stress civic involvement, and work toward peace and understanding.  The Champaign-Urbana Junior Woman's Club Inc. is a service organization devoted to Charitable purposes, and entails certain, implicit obligations of all activities and provisional members: The success of our undertaking depends upon perseverance to basic objectives, observance of all bylaws, and the personal acceptance and carrying through of given responsibilities. Active members must contribute a minimum of forty hours during the club year, which includes participation in Ways and Means events and Community Service Projects.  Provisions members must contribute time in Projects, Ways and Means, and attend Fall Orientation, plus some aspect of club administration. Members must attend at least five regular meetings during the club year.  Strict adherence to Parliamentary Procedure, good conduct, and courtesy when others are speaking are essential.  Lack of attention implies disrespect.  Motions must be made properly.  Regardless of personal opinion, one must abide by the decisions of the majority.  Any criticism should be constructive, spoken at an appropriate time, and tempered by restraint. Annual payment of $60.00 in dues is required by all members with the exception of tenured members, and should be paid for the succeeding year at the May regular meeting.  Dues for tenured members shall be $50.00 annually.  Those who seek provisional membership must pay before or at the orientation meeting.    Junior Pledge I pledge my loyalty to the Junior Club Women, by doing better than ever before what work I have to do, by being prompt, honest, courteous; by living each day, trying to accomplish something, not merely to exist.