The Montgomery County District
Federation of Women’s Clubs Inc.
Theme: “Service with a Smile “
September11, 2015
Hi Ladies,
After the long summer break, I hope you all are well rested and energized for the coming year. Some clubs have already met this month, and it is so good to see each other in the new year of 2015-16.
I would like to thank all of you for doingthe fantastic jobs you have done in your clubs to assist each other, and to help the poor and the needy in our communities. A few clubs have also ventured out further and helped the needy in other countries. Those of us who were atthe March meeting of 2015 were able to see all the works of our clubs. Our first Vice President Martha Oberle had a very hard time choosing the winners in each category. We also received quite a few awards at the Maryland Convention in Annapolis,MD in April. Let us continue to do these great programs and also enjoy our friendship with each other.
In this age when many organizations are losing members, I am pleased to inform you that we are doingvery well. Thanks to the Membership chairmen who have been working very hard, and the members who have been sponsoring new members, we have gained one hundred and nineteen members in the last three years of my presidency. In the year 2012-13, we had 419 members; in the year 2013-14, we had 510 members; and in 2014-15, we had 536 members. Congratulations to the Membership Chairmen, Presidents and sponsors.Please continue to help us grow larger and stronger. We did not lose any clubs either. In 2012-13we lost the Chinese Women’s League; and in 2013-14, we lost the Suburban Club. But some of the Suburban Club members have joined the Bethesda and Chevy Chase Clubs. So, it is not a total lost. If we keep going at this rate, I should be able to retire with the total membership of 550 members in the District! Just recruiting is not enough. We have to retain the members as well. Please keep the back door tightlyshut!
While I am talking about membership, please let me inform you that our District is the largest District with 10 clubs and 536 members. The Southern District has 340 members in 6 clubs; the Western District has 322 members in 8 clubs; Baltimore District has 192 members in 6 clubs, and the Eastern Shore District has 109 members in 4 clubs.
The CALL for the October meeting has been sent to your Presidents. I hope to see you in large numbers. The Laytonsville Club is hosting us again at the Montgomery Country Club on October 20, 2015. The ladies of Laytonsville are busy planning for the beautiful decorations and breakfast. All the Chairmen will brief you on their area of expertise in the morning. The Country Club will give us its delicious lunch again.After lunch the Executive Director from the Montgomery College Endowment Fund will give her presentation. We have been contributing a lot to the Montgomery College Endowment Fund for years and years, and she will tell you how the money has been utilized. You will also have the pleasure of meeting the recipients of the scholarships. Grab a few friends and come to enjoy the good food and program in a beautiful setting of the Montgomery Country Club.
You may wonder how we could afford to give so much to the Endowment fund, without having to organize any fund raising activities. The bulk of the funds came from the “Over 60” program which has folded up. The rest is from the Montgomery Thrift Shop for our volunteer services. I would like to emphasize the importance of volunteering at the Thrift shop. We only need to volunteer on Thursdays for four hours each. Please volunteer and let the dividends keep coming for the Scholarships, Domestic Violence victims, Youth Art Competition and other Charities.
Attached is the meeting schedule for the entire year. Please note the dates and plan to come with your members and friends. Only ten percent of the membership is attending the meetings, and you are breaking my heart! A lot of time is being spent on planning these meetings and I would like to see more of you.
Looking forward to seeing you
Sincerely,
Tin Tin Nu Rashid, District President,
Montgomery County District of General Federation of Women’s Clubs