What We Do ~ GFWC Club Manual and More
The GFWC clubs work on programs in their communities, their state, their country, and internationally.
Clubs follow the suggested guidelines from GFWC as outlined in the GFWC Club Manual.
Follow these steps to access the GFWC Club Manual through the GFWC Member Portal.
Clubs follow the suggested guidelines from GFWC as outlined in the GFWC Club Manual.
Follow these steps to access the GFWC Club Manual through the GFWC Member Portal.
NEW ~ Community Connection Initiatives ~ NEW
The 2024-2026 Community Connection Initiatives are projects that make a visual, physical, or emotional impact at the grassroots level. They are projects that bring awareness to what GFWC volunteering is all about. Public relations and media play a large part in a Community Connection Initiative. Be sure to share your program/project through the internet, newspaper articles, social media, blog posts, radio, and television. Make an impact that will ensure your community members want to be a part of such a passionate group of women making good things happen.
GFWC incorporated the Honorary Chairmen Program to bring experts in the field to our club members, enhancing and elevating our scope of volunteer work while assisting and advancing the administration’s goals. They are selected through recommendations from members of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee.
GFWC Special Programs and Community Service Programs
GFWC Signature Program:
Domestic and Sexual Violence Awareness and Prevention
The goal of the GFWC Signature Program is to increase awareness of and help prevent the widespread occurrence of domestic abuse in communities across the nation by working with national domestic violence networks, supporting existing activities, working with various established programs, and initiating educational opportunities for club members and local citizens. GFWC aims to be a powerful voice for victims and survivors.
The Signature Program has eight areas of focus:
Domestic and Sexual Violence Awareness and Prevention
The goal of the GFWC Signature Program is to increase awareness of and help prevent the widespread occurrence of domestic abuse in communities across the nation by working with national domestic violence networks, supporting existing activities, working with various established programs, and initiating educational opportunities for club members and local citizens. GFWC aims to be a powerful voice for victims and survivors.
The Signature Program has eight areas of focus:
- Campus Sexual Assault
- Child Abuse
- Elder Abuse
- Human Trafficking for Sexual Purposes
- Intimate Partner Violence
- Military Sexual Assault
- Teen Dating Violence
- Violence Against Native American Women
As part of the GFWC Signature Program: Domestic and Sexual Violence Awareness and Prevention, the GFWC Success For Survivors Scholarship was created in 2012 to lend a helping hand to those impacted by intimate partner violence who are pursuing higher education. The scholarship aims to provide survivors with a means to achieve both financial and personal independence. Since its inception, GFWC has awarded more than $97,500 in scholarship funds.
►Click here for details about the 2025 scholarship.
Click here for the application ~ Deadline is February 10, 2025.
►Click here for details about the 2025 scholarship.
Click here for the application ~ Deadline is February 10, 2025.
GFWC Juniors’ Special Program: Advocates for Children
GFWC Juniors’ Special Program: Advocates for Children is designed to encourage all Woman’s, Junior Woman’s, Juniorette, and International Affiliate Clubs to make a difference in the life of a child by being an advocate. The program was envisioned as a way for clubwomen to provide a voice for children and to teach and encourage parents and other caregivers to advocate for children at the grassroots level.
Clubwomen can be an advocate by working to:
• Ensure that children are protected from harmful situations.
• Encourage healthy physical and emotional lifestyles.
• Impact policy to improve children’s lives
► Community Connection Initiative: Be A Champion in the Lives of Children
GFWC Juniors’ Special Program: Advocates for Children is designed to encourage all Woman’s, Junior Woman’s, Juniorette, and International Affiliate Clubs to make a difference in the life of a child by being an advocate. The program was envisioned as a way for clubwomen to provide a voice for children and to teach and encourage parents and other caregivers to advocate for children at the grassroots level.
Clubwomen can be an advocate by working to:
• Ensure that children are protected from harmful situations.
• Encourage healthy physical and emotional lifestyles.
• Impact policy to improve children’s lives
► Community Connection Initiative: Be A Champion in the Lives of Children
Arts and Culture Community Service Program
The GFWC Arts and Culture Community Service Program hopes to provide the impetus for the development of and the appreciation for Art and Culture throughout all our involved communities; be they rural or urban, sophisticated or not, rich or poor, and at every level, from beginner to expert. The Arts and Culture Community Service Program exists to provide creative project ideas, support to ensure greater impact, and encourage club women to participate in and/or otherwise facilitate a love and appreciation for the arts across their community and within their entire sphere of influence.
► Community Connection Initiative: Developing Community Orientated Art
The GFWC Arts and Culture Community Service Program hopes to provide the impetus for the development of and the appreciation for Art and Culture throughout all our involved communities; be they rural or urban, sophisticated or not, rich or poor, and at every level, from beginner to expert. The Arts and Culture Community Service Program exists to provide creative project ideas, support to ensure greater impact, and encourage club women to participate in and/or otherwise facilitate a love and appreciation for the arts across their community and within their entire sphere of influence.
► Community Connection Initiative: Developing Community Orientated Art
Civic Engagement and Outreach Community Service Program
The GFWC Civic Engagement and Outreach Community Service Program reminds GFWC members that each of us is a part of a larger society and is responsible for undertaking actions that will create a better quality of life and foster a sense of community—locally, regionally, nationally, and globally. GFWC will focus on addressing issues of public concern. Citizenship; Crime Prevention, Safety, Disaster Preparedness, the Needy, Hungry, and Homeless; and Military Personnel and Veterans are just a few suggestions for areas of concern impacted by GFWC Clubwomen during its history.
► Community Connection Initiative: Preparation Saves Lives
The GFWC Civic Engagement and Outreach Community Service Program reminds GFWC members that each of us is a part of a larger society and is responsible for undertaking actions that will create a better quality of life and foster a sense of community—locally, regionally, nationally, and globally. GFWC will focus on addressing issues of public concern. Citizenship; Crime Prevention, Safety, Disaster Preparedness, the Needy, Hungry, and Homeless; and Military Personnel and Veterans are just a few suggestions for areas of concern impacted by GFWC Clubwomen during its history.
► Community Connection Initiative: Preparation Saves Lives
Education and Libraries Community Service Program
As clubwomen, GFWC members promote education for both children and adults. Projects in the Education and Libraries Community Service Program are designed to foster schools and other educational institutions and opportunities, and promote libraries, literacy, and reading good books. Through these efforts, we encourage the growth of individuals and communities at home and around the world. Public libraries serve a critical purpose and essential role in our communities not only from books and resources but also as a safe place to meet, learn, and study for all ages. In the 1930s GFWC women’s clubs were credited by the American Library Association as having founded over 474 free public libraries and 4,655 traveling libraries. Supporting local libraries continues to be a Federation priority today.
► Community Connection Initiative: Support High-Quality Early Learning Programs
Epsilon Sigma Omicron (ESO) is an honorary educational society open to all per-capita dues paying GFWC members. The purpose of ESO is to provide clubwomen with a structural reading program, which is educational and stimulates a desire for self-improvement. Are you an ESO member?
As clubwomen, GFWC members promote education for both children and adults. Projects in the Education and Libraries Community Service Program are designed to foster schools and other educational institutions and opportunities, and promote libraries, literacy, and reading good books. Through these efforts, we encourage the growth of individuals and communities at home and around the world. Public libraries serve a critical purpose and essential role in our communities not only from books and resources but also as a safe place to meet, learn, and study for all ages. In the 1930s GFWC women’s clubs were credited by the American Library Association as having founded over 474 free public libraries and 4,655 traveling libraries. Supporting local libraries continues to be a Federation priority today.
► Community Connection Initiative: Support High-Quality Early Learning Programs
Epsilon Sigma Omicron (ESO) is an honorary educational society open to all per-capita dues paying GFWC members. The purpose of ESO is to provide clubwomen with a structural reading program, which is educational and stimulates a desire for self-improvement. Are you an ESO member?
Environment Community Service Program
Our environment is the sum of all living and non-living elements and their effects that influence human life. It functions to provide a supply of resources, both renewable and non-renewable. It sustains and enhances the quality of life, as well as assimilates waste. Humans enjoy the beauty of nature from flowing rivers, towering mountains, waves of grassy life, and vast spaces of desert. As caretakers of our most precious of resources, our environment, there is much we can do as stewards of the earth by working to preserve the world’s resources, protect wildlife and domesticated animals, live sustainably, beautify our communities, and enjoy nature.
► Community Connection Initiative: Our National and State Parks Engage in Nature
Our environment is the sum of all living and non-living elements and their effects that influence human life. It functions to provide a supply of resources, both renewable and non-renewable. It sustains and enhances the quality of life, as well as assimilates waste. Humans enjoy the beauty of nature from flowing rivers, towering mountains, waves of grassy life, and vast spaces of desert. As caretakers of our most precious of resources, our environment, there is much we can do as stewards of the earth by working to preserve the world’s resources, protect wildlife and domesticated animals, live sustainably, beautify our communities, and enjoy nature.
► Community Connection Initiative: Our National and State Parks Engage in Nature
Health and Wellness Community Service Program
This Community Service Program aims to explore the various opportunities for awareness and advancement of each of these vital areas:
• Disease awareness and prevention involves understanding the causes, symptoms, and ways to prevent diseases, including social determinants and health inequity. This includes screenings, vaccinations, and sharing information.
• Nutrition is a key element in the quest for good health. Wise food choices, proper usage of vitamins and supplements, and food allergy awareness help maintain a healthy lifestyle free of weakened conditions and chronic illness.
• Physical and emotional care encompass behaviors to manage a healthy body, mind, and spirit throughout life. This includes physical, intellectual, emotional, spiritual, environmental, and social well-being.
► Community Connection Initiative: Caregiver's Circle
This Community Service Program aims to explore the various opportunities for awareness and advancement of each of these vital areas:
• Disease awareness and prevention involves understanding the causes, symptoms, and ways to prevent diseases, including social determinants and health inequity. This includes screenings, vaccinations, and sharing information.
• Nutrition is a key element in the quest for good health. Wise food choices, proper usage of vitamins and supplements, and food allergy awareness help maintain a healthy lifestyle free of weakened conditions and chronic illness.
• Physical and emotional care encompass behaviors to manage a healthy body, mind, and spirit throughout life. This includes physical, intellectual, emotional, spiritual, environmental, and social well-being.
► Community Connection Initiative: Caregiver's Circle
GFWC Advancement Plans
Because of the integral nature of the GFWC Advancement Plans, these plans are recognized as core Advancement areas of any successful program. Each of these areas has advancement section in the GFWC Club Manual.
You can sign into the GFWC Member Portal to access.
Communications and Public Relations Advancement Plan
Today, communication entails a Four-Step Process which is planning, strategizing, executing, and evaluating tactics used to get your message out. Some tactical forms include using visual, written, digital, and audible forms of communication. For your club to become even more efficient and resourceful, you must consider taking the time to develop and execute a marketing communications plan, one that encompasses the Four-Step Process to effectively engage your members, prospects, and your local community leaders.
Fundraising Advancement Plan
Fundraising plays a vital role in your efforts to make a difference in your community, club, and with club members. Fundraisers provide an opportunity to work with others in your community to support local projects, charitable causes, affiliate organizations, your club’s community service and outreach projects, or GFWC. Successful fundraising can increase your club’s visibility in the community, foster cooperation, provide a sense of accomplishment, cultivate pride and ownership in the organization, and create life-long friendships—all while building a stronger and better club.
► GFWC ENDORSED FUNDRAISER: LADY JANE
The Lady Jayne collection is an economical way to accessorize in today’s market by using interchangeable
GFWC emblem charms. The same charms can be used in earrings, pendants, bracelets, or necklaces and are
easily changed from one to another. Twelve percent of GFWC emblem purchases will benefit GFWC.
To purchase or order for your own fundraising from Lady Jayne, Ltd., go to GFWC’s page or use this link.
Leadership Advancement Plan
This Advancement Plan contains valuable information, including practical ideas and resources to assist states, districts, and clubs in developing leadership skills in their members. Whatever talent you use, leadership always involves taking risks, being innovative, and promoting new directions. Some may talk about being born leaders, but most of us learn how to be a strong leader, and we should never stop learning and stretching. Just as “management” as a philosophy has evolved through the years into “leadership,” there has also been a growing realization that leadership development involves personal growth and improvement and influencing and fostering others.
Download the Leadership Toolkit for more leadership development, resource materials, and information.
► Leadership Education and Development Seminar
LEADS Information and Application ~ all information is in the Leadership Manual page.
(Massachusetts LEADS applicants please fill out the Massachusetts form under Women's Clubs, GFWC MA Program Information)
Legislation/Public Policy Advancement Plan
For more than 130 years, GFWC members have raised awareness of specific issues requiring attention at the national level through their advocacy efforts. GFWC members’ advocacy efforts are practical not political. GFWC members worked to pass laws affecting highway safety, juvenile justice, women’s suffrage, the rights of the disabled, equal pay for women, and increased resources for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking. Our empathetic members use public advocacy to seek solutions to local, state, and national concerns. Our organization is strengthened by resolutions and advocacy which make a difference.
►The Legislative Action Center is a national network of grassroots advocates working together to improve the lives of club members, their communities, our nation, and the global community.
► GFWC Legislative Ladder ~ GFWC clubs are challenged to annually step up to educate, engage, empower
by tacking varied concrete steps of the Legislative Ladder.
Here is the GFWC Legislative Ladder fillable form.
Membership Advancement Plan
The General Federation of Women’s Clubs is proudly represented in thousands of communities around the world by dedicated volunteers who work to better the lives of others, make cities and towns better places to live, and extend the hand of friendship to those near and far. We are individuals of diverse talents, interests, and backgrounds united by a dedication to community improvement through volunteer service. GFWC offers a network of support for nearly 60,000 clubwomen who volunteer on a local, state, national, and international level. Working together, we constitute a powerful, service-oriented organization that encourages volunteerism through training and coaching, leadership opportunities, personal enrichment, and many other benefits.
Download the Membership Toolkit for more membership development, resource materials, and information.
GFWC Juniorette Member and Club Membership Advancement Plan
The GFWC Juniorette Membership category was introduced during the 1966-1968 Administration. According to GFWC Bylaws, Juniorette Clubs are comprised of young students in middle schools, junior high schools, and high schools. Juniorettes have school, extracurricular activities, and social lives to juggle, but they find time to make positive changes in their communities. GFWC Clubs have sponsored and organized their clubs with different types of membership:
• Some note that their Juniorette Club is more successful when organized for either a middle/junior high school or high school club, but not both. This is due to differences in interests, abilities, and maturity.
• Others indicate that their Juniorette Club is more successful when organized, combining middle/ junior high schools with high schools. Putting the two age groups together does more to develop leadership as the older “seasoned” students mentor the younger students. The younger students gain more confidence knowing a high school student is willing to befriend and mentor them in club work.
The Women's History and Resource Center (WHRC) Advancement Plan
The GFWC Women’s History and Resource Center Advancement Guide encourages every club to investigate and document its own history by learning about GFWC’s past. Since the Federation’s founding in 1890, GFWC members have understood the historic significance of the organization’s mission to improve communities through volunteer service. To preserve and better document GFWC history and member’s work on local, state, national, and international levels, the Women’s History and Resource Center of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs officially opened at GFWC Headquarters in Washington, DC, on May 1, 1984. GFWC’s history is full of examples of successful projects that demonstrate the important relationship between grassroots and international efforts, the significance of long-range planning and thoughtful organization, and the value of community service in developing strong and compassionate leaders.
► view the PowerPoint: This Old House: Our Home at 1734 N Street
► follow along with the accompanying script
► Check out the GFWC WHRC Blog, a new monthly blog series where highlighted stories of
General Federation history comes from the archival, photographs, and artifact collections. There
will be a new post the first Thursday of each month!
Because of the integral nature of the GFWC Advancement Plans, these plans are recognized as core Advancement areas of any successful program. Each of these areas has advancement section in the GFWC Club Manual.
You can sign into the GFWC Member Portal to access.
Communications and Public Relations Advancement Plan
Today, communication entails a Four-Step Process which is planning, strategizing, executing, and evaluating tactics used to get your message out. Some tactical forms include using visual, written, digital, and audible forms of communication. For your club to become even more efficient and resourceful, you must consider taking the time to develop and execute a marketing communications plan, one that encompasses the Four-Step Process to effectively engage your members, prospects, and your local community leaders.
Fundraising Advancement Plan
Fundraising plays a vital role in your efforts to make a difference in your community, club, and with club members. Fundraisers provide an opportunity to work with others in your community to support local projects, charitable causes, affiliate organizations, your club’s community service and outreach projects, or GFWC. Successful fundraising can increase your club’s visibility in the community, foster cooperation, provide a sense of accomplishment, cultivate pride and ownership in the organization, and create life-long friendships—all while building a stronger and better club.
► GFWC ENDORSED FUNDRAISER: LADY JANE
The Lady Jayne collection is an economical way to accessorize in today’s market by using interchangeable
GFWC emblem charms. The same charms can be used in earrings, pendants, bracelets, or necklaces and are
easily changed from one to another. Twelve percent of GFWC emblem purchases will benefit GFWC.
To purchase or order for your own fundraising from Lady Jayne, Ltd., go to GFWC’s page or use this link.
Leadership Advancement Plan
This Advancement Plan contains valuable information, including practical ideas and resources to assist states, districts, and clubs in developing leadership skills in their members. Whatever talent you use, leadership always involves taking risks, being innovative, and promoting new directions. Some may talk about being born leaders, but most of us learn how to be a strong leader, and we should never stop learning and stretching. Just as “management” as a philosophy has evolved through the years into “leadership,” there has also been a growing realization that leadership development involves personal growth and improvement and influencing and fostering others.
Download the Leadership Toolkit for more leadership development, resource materials, and information.
► Leadership Education and Development Seminar
LEADS Information and Application ~ all information is in the Leadership Manual page.
(Massachusetts LEADS applicants please fill out the Massachusetts form under Women's Clubs, GFWC MA Program Information)
Legislation/Public Policy Advancement Plan
For more than 130 years, GFWC members have raised awareness of specific issues requiring attention at the national level through their advocacy efforts. GFWC members’ advocacy efforts are practical not political. GFWC members worked to pass laws affecting highway safety, juvenile justice, women’s suffrage, the rights of the disabled, equal pay for women, and increased resources for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking. Our empathetic members use public advocacy to seek solutions to local, state, and national concerns. Our organization is strengthened by resolutions and advocacy which make a difference.
►The Legislative Action Center is a national network of grassroots advocates working together to improve the lives of club members, their communities, our nation, and the global community.
► GFWC Legislative Ladder ~ GFWC clubs are challenged to annually step up to educate, engage, empower
by tacking varied concrete steps of the Legislative Ladder.
Here is the GFWC Legislative Ladder fillable form.
Membership Advancement Plan
The General Federation of Women’s Clubs is proudly represented in thousands of communities around the world by dedicated volunteers who work to better the lives of others, make cities and towns better places to live, and extend the hand of friendship to those near and far. We are individuals of diverse talents, interests, and backgrounds united by a dedication to community improvement through volunteer service. GFWC offers a network of support for nearly 60,000 clubwomen who volunteer on a local, state, national, and international level. Working together, we constitute a powerful, service-oriented organization that encourages volunteerism through training and coaching, leadership opportunities, personal enrichment, and many other benefits.
Download the Membership Toolkit for more membership development, resource materials, and information.
GFWC Juniorette Member and Club Membership Advancement Plan
The GFWC Juniorette Membership category was introduced during the 1966-1968 Administration. According to GFWC Bylaws, Juniorette Clubs are comprised of young students in middle schools, junior high schools, and high schools. Juniorettes have school, extracurricular activities, and social lives to juggle, but they find time to make positive changes in their communities. GFWC Clubs have sponsored and organized their clubs with different types of membership:
• Some note that their Juniorette Club is more successful when organized for either a middle/junior high school or high school club, but not both. This is due to differences in interests, abilities, and maturity.
• Others indicate that their Juniorette Club is more successful when organized, combining middle/ junior high schools with high schools. Putting the two age groups together does more to develop leadership as the older “seasoned” students mentor the younger students. The younger students gain more confidence knowing a high school student is willing to befriend and mentor them in club work.
The Women's History and Resource Center (WHRC) Advancement Plan
The GFWC Women’s History and Resource Center Advancement Guide encourages every club to investigate and document its own history by learning about GFWC’s past. Since the Federation’s founding in 1890, GFWC members have understood the historic significance of the organization’s mission to improve communities through volunteer service. To preserve and better document GFWC history and member’s work on local, state, national, and international levels, the Women’s History and Resource Center of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs officially opened at GFWC Headquarters in Washington, DC, on May 1, 1984. GFWC’s history is full of examples of successful projects that demonstrate the important relationship between grassroots and international efforts, the significance of long-range planning and thoughtful organization, and the value of community service in developing strong and compassionate leaders.
► view the PowerPoint: This Old House: Our Home at 1734 N Street
► follow along with the accompanying script
► Check out the GFWC WHRC Blog, a new monthly blog series where highlighted stories of
General Federation history comes from the archival, photographs, and artifact collections. There
will be a new post the first Thursday of each month!
To see the ways in which GFWC Massachusetts Clubs implement these programs,
check out our Massachusetts Program Information page (under Members)!
check out our Massachusetts Program Information page (under Members)!
GFWC Contests and other info from the GFWC Club Manual
Other information:
Other information:
- In-kind donation guide ~ used with the statistical sheet for donated goods value
- Creative Arts Waiver ~ needed for GFWC contests in Photography and Writing
- GFWC Photography Contests ~ The World in Pictures Contest: Our World Up Close, Natural Wonders, Reflections and GFWC Living the Volunteer Spirit Contest
- GFWC Writing Contests ~ Member and Youth
- GFWC Community Impact Program Award (awarded on the even calendar year)
- GFWC Website Contest
- GFWC Newsletter Contest
- GFWC Deadlines for Awards and Contests
- GFWC Annual Giving Program
- GFWC Jennie Award
- GFWC Membership Grant application ~ Funding is available to help underwrite membership recruiting efforts at the club level. GFWC is offering 100, $50 grants for clubmember recruitment activities in conjunction with Membership "Educate, Engage, & Empower" Recruitment Campaign activities or the GFWC National Event. These grants will be distributed on a first-come basis and can be used for any of the Membership Recruitment Campaign seasonal cycles. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and will be available until the funding is exhausted. Complete the application form and return it to GFWC Headquarters by the appointed deadline.
Partially excerpted from www.GFWC.org. © 2024 General Federation of Women's Clubs 202-347-3168 www.GFWC.org.
Used with permission. May not be reproduced for sale or profit.202-347-3168
Used with permission. May not be reproduced for sale or profit.202-347-3168