The Grundy Woman's Club: GFWC International Convention 2012

The GFWC International Convention was held this year in Charlotte, NC. This is the closest that a convention has been to Grundy, EVER. The GFWC Grundy Woman's Club had five ladies attend and GFWC Virginia had over fifty. There were about one thousand women in all that attended. It was fabulous, except for trying to get an elevator. That one task could sometimes take over half an hour, so we learned a lot about patience and a lot about how visiting a bar gives you patience.

The first day there was a day of LEADS, (Leadership, Education, and Development Seminar) training for Tania Stephens. She was chosen as the candidate from Virginia. Forty three states sent their representative for an ALL day training session. They had seminars on Roberts Rules, on writing a speech, on the generation gap, and on conflict resolutions. Information was given out and soaked up like a sponge, hopefully most everyone will retain the knowledge and go on to share with their fellow Clubs, Districts, and State. GFWC International President, Carlene Garner, presented each graduate with a certificate and her "Wings" pin.


President Carlene Garner and Tania Stephens

Virginia LEADS Candidates for 2012, 2005, and 2011

Sandy Stiltner, Bertha Street, and Liz Stiltner all took advantage of the day off and went on a tour of Charlotte Motor Speedway. They got to ride on the track and they even saw Dale Earnhardt Jr., he was filming a commercial at the track.

Most of our days were full of meetings and workshops, but will did manage to spend a little time with the tons of vendors that were there. Purses, jewelry, hand-crafted bird feeders, scarves and clothing, books, GFWC merchandise, and lots of other items were on hand to separate our money from us. The nights consisted of banquets and GALA's, a horrible burden, but we somehow managed to shoulder the load.

State night was Wednesday night and before we continued on to the Southeastern Region Banquet we posed for pictures. Each State's attendees all gathered together and had a group picture.

The SER Banquet was held afterward and offered a good opportunity for everyone to meet new ladies in the Region.

Awards were given out at the GALA's the following nights and GFWC Virginia racked up.

Home Life Collaboration, Home Life Partner, March of Dimes, GFWC Junior Woman's Club of Loudoun
International Outreach Partner, INMED, Mother and Child Health, GFWC Dominion Woman's Club, Operation Smile, Paula Cutler Award
Public Issues Collaboration Special Project: Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention
Special Project: Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Club Award: GFWC Kanawha Woman's Club
Special Project: Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Fund Awards, 8th Place GFWC Woman's Club of Manassas, 7th Place GFWC Woman's Club of Fairfax, 3rd Place GFWC Herndon Woman's Club
Legislation and Public Policy
Membership
Southeastern Region President's Award of $100 for the greatest number of volunteer hours per member
GFWC Writing Contest, Youth Short Story Winner, Grades 9-12 "Live as If You are Dying", Ben Temple, Sponsored by the GFWC Norfolk Woman's Club