FELLOWSHIPS + FRIENDSHIPS = FUN!!

2023 GFWC Georgia Institute

Dear Federated Friends,

I am excited to invite you to attend our annual GFWC Georgia Summer Institute and State Board meeting in Athens, Ga. We will once again meet at the UGA Continuing Education Center and Hotel on the campus of the University of Georgia. They are excited to welcome us back!   The theme for our meeting is “Fellowships + Friendships = Fun!”  So, come enjoy a weekend with your federated sisters as we prepare for the club year ahead of us.  Whether you are a seasoned clubwoman or a new member, the weekend will be a time of learning, networking, shopping, socializing and just plain fun!  This is a weekend designed for ALL members!

Friday, August 25^th our LEADS meeting will be held from 10am -4pm. In order to accommodate more attendees, we will hold LEADS at the 1^st Presbyterian Church of Athens located at 185 East Hancock Avenue, Athens, GA 30601.  The church is just a short walk from the hotel but allows for more interaction among attendees and more space for the wonderful activities our Leadership Team has worked so hard to plan.  The day is designed to be a wonderful day of interactive learning and sharing for those who are currently serving as leaders or those who may be interested in serving in leadership positions in our organization.  There will not be a breakout session at Institute for Club Presidents so I highly encourage each club to send not only your Club President but, other club members to attend this day of encouragement, empowerment and purpose.  Friday will also provide an opportunity for various committee meetings and our Executive Committee meeting.  We will have a Fun Night event Saturday evening following our workshop day and State Board dinner.  District gatherings will follow our social time.  The Junior Conference will meet after the afternoon session.

At the request of our members, we will again host our “Hall of Fame” exhibit.  Each Club is encouraged to create an informational poster board about their favorite or most successful club project.  These boards will be displayed in the Pecan Tree Galleria.  If you were unable to attend or participate last year, the purpose of the Hall of Fame is to create a networking opportunity to share projects and program ideas between clubs.  Members will have an opportunity to vote for the “Most Creative” and a “People’s Choice” winner from the ideas displayed.  Put your creativity to work and plan to participate in this wonderful event!

Much of our Saturday morning time will be spent focusing on a very special announcement (teaser!), membership, the National Day of Service event, recruitment and reenergizing our members, preserving our history and building our future through Juniorettes. We will also hear presentations from your Officers, the CSP Chairmen, some Standing and Special Committees.  The afternoon will feature awards from GFWC and will feature some wonderful guest speakers who are anxious to share their passions with you and to spark ideas for you to share with your clubs and communities. Our clubs did a remarkable job of sharing their passions through service last year. Maybe hearing more about the human trafficking issue will spark an interest for your club to plan a program in your community this year; perhaps the demonstration from Damsel in Defense will make you more confident; learning about the projects and emphasis ideas from the CSP chairmen may jumpstart a project idea you have been thinking about starting; or, just maybe, meeting a new friend will encourage you to plan to attend the 2024 Convention in April so you can catch up with each other and share the experience together.  Whatever your hope is for this meeting, I encourage you to join us and explore the opportunities this next year has in store for us all.  Please remember that the goal of the State Board meeting is to have all our Clubs represented.  This is a working meeting and it is your chance to have a voice in the business of our state federation.  At the Saturday evening meeting we will have an opportunity to hear from the leadership at Tallulah Falls School, our 2023 GFWC LEADS candidate will share her reflections on her experience in Kentucky and more Standing and Special Committees will report in addition to the business portion of the meeting. 

The weekend will be casual, no processionals or formal wear needed!  If you have the new blue or the black GFWC Ga bling shirt, this is a perfect opportunity to wear it with a pair of nice slacks and come dressed for the day.  The important thing is that you are there!  I look forward to seeing each of you in Athens!  There is a lot of great information attached to this Call so please, grab a cup of coffee, put your feet up and take some time to enjoy reading about the plans your State leadership has made for you! 

Until August,

Kim Sekulow

GFWC Georgia State President, 2022-2024

Register Now

NOTE:  If you chose to pay by check, please mail your check within 10 days after registering.  GFWC Georgia would like for all registrations to be paid before the start of Institute!!

Hotel Information and Important Deadlines

Book your hotel room at University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education and Conference Hotel before the July 31, 2023 deadline. 

 To avoid a late Registration fee of $25, please register before the deadline of August 11th.   Registration will close on August 11, 2023 at Midnight.  Should you need to register after August 11th, please contact Brenda Martin, 770-539-2075 to get registered.

Below please find links to download information and instructions needed for Institute. (Click the underlined words to download)

• Letter from State Junior Director Nicole Braun
• Agenda at a Glance
• LEADS Flyer
• Wellspring Flyer 
• School Supplies for Foster Care Children
• Letter for Veterans Family - Junior Project
• Bingo Flyer
• Hall of Fame Flyer

Group Code:  94923

Book by Phone:University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education  at  706-542-2134.

Book Online:   Go to: https://www.hotel.uga.edu/