Today, communication truly takes on all tactical forms – visual, written, digital, and audible. For your club to become even more efficient and resourceful, you must consider taking the time to develop and execute a strong communications strategy, one that employs all these forms to effectively engage your members.

Engaged members are more satisfied, will see more value in their membership, and will participate in more activities. But how do you create an experience that’s truly meaningful to your members?

You need to first create a COMMUNICATIONS STRATEGY. It is the first step in understanding your membership! It is how you will shape content that will educate, inform, and inspire current members as well as potential NEW members. Executed properly, a good membership communications strategy will also help you RETAIN members.

BEFORE YOU BEGIN – ASK THE HARD QUESTIONS!

What do you want your communications to do? Once you define your goal, you’ll need to figure out how to reach it by employing one or more of these tactics or tools.

Next, you’ll want to establish how you expect your communications to influence your members. What do you expect to happen as a result? Understanding and having a realistic expectation of results defined in your overall strategy is key when evaluating the success of each tactic and can help when adjustments are needed.

This guide will walk you through creating a solid communications strategy, define the following tactics, and outline the tools that you can utilize to reach your club’s goals and objectives.

• Branding

• Public Relations

• Club Communications

• Website

• Social Media

• Digital Meeting Capabilities

For more information click here.

“All advocacy is, at its core, an exercise in empathy.”

Samantha Power, the United States Ambassador to the United Nations 2013-2017 and currently serving as the Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)

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 efforts can change lives! Our empathetic members use public advocacy to seek solutions to local, state, and national concerns. Our organization is strenghtened by resolutions and advocacy which make a difference.

During the 2022–2024 Administration, the Legislation/Public Policy Committee is guided by our theme, Together We Advocate for Those in Need. The goals of the Legislation/Public Policy Committee during this Administration include:

• Increasing participation in the Legislative Action Center.

• Educating members about GFWC’s legislative priorities.

• Promoting Legislative Advocacy as the natural extension of our

  members’ volunteer work for each of the Special Programs and

  all the Community Service Programs.

• Building relationships with the local, state, regional, and

  national decision makers.

• Establishing the GFWC name as a brand that lawmakers and

  the community recognizes.

• Mobilizing our members to raise a united voice to advocate for

  GFWC and its legislative priorities.

Elevate Your Community, Club, And Members With Fundraising

“HE WHO ALLOWS HIS DAY TO PASS BY WITHOUT PRACTICING GENEROSITY AND ENJOYING LIFE’S PLEASURES, BREATHES BUT DOES NOT LIVE. “ — SANSKRIT PROVERB

Fundraising is beneficial to your community, your club, and its members. Raising capital for a local project, recognized charity, affiliate organization, your club’s outreach plans and operations,
or GFWC Designated Funds, is also an opportunity to make the achievements of your club known throughout the community. As they work together on a fundraiser, club members learn new skills and much more. Successful teamwork fosters cooperation, provides a sense of accomplishment, cultivates pride and ownership in the organization, and creates life-long friendships—all while building a stronger and better club.

Learn more about choosing a fundraising idea, creating a successful event, advancing your club and GFWC, supporting GFWC Designated Funds, and being recognized by GFWC for your fundraising efforts. Questions or need coaching? Contact any of the Fundraising Committee Members, who are eager to provide help.

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 80,000 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. Various GFWC resources, from members-only materials to legislative alerts, support individuals and clubs in their volunteer efforts.

The many benefits of belonging to GFWC include:

• STRENGTH IN UNITY. GFWC members strengthen their voice in

  shaping public issues and policy through the combined efforts of women serving in their club, District, State Federation, Region, or at the national level.

• SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGEMENT. GFWC offers members
  a network of women with similar interests and concerns. Fun, fellowship, and lasting friendships are a large part of the GFWC experience.

• LEADERSHIP TRAINING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT. Knowledge and experience acquired through GFWC volunteer training and community service can enhance a personal resume and open the door to new career or personal opportunities. Or, prompt new academic pursuits and success in a wide variety of fields.

• A VARIED VOLUNTEER MENU. GFWC offers many national resources to help clubs plan and create community service projects in the diverse areas of Arts and Culture, Civic Engagement and Outreach, Education and Libraries, Environment, and Health and Wellness. GFWC also supports Special Programs that advance Domestic and Sexual Violence Awareness and Prevention and encourages members to become Advocates for Children.

• HEALTH AND HAPPINESS. Studies show that the personal satisfaction that comes from making a positive difference helps volunteers live longer, function better, suffer fewer ills, and enjoy life to the fullest.

WHRC: Preserve, Promote, and Inspire

2022-2024 Emphasis: Encourage member participation in diverse club and community projects developed to preserve the past, promote the present, and inspire the future.

From the Federation’s founding in 1890, GFWC members have understood the historic significance of the organization’s mission to improve communities through volunteer service. 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.

Regardless of the focus of a community service project, it may benefit from an historical perspective. The WHRC strives to educate and inspire GFWC members and potential members, the research community,
and the public to explore the rich, historical role of women volunteers through GFWC’s expansive collections.

The WHRC offers access to readily available reference services, an online research catalog, educational programs and publications, creative exhibits, and dynamic partnerships to all those interested in using its resources. Benefits of membership made possible through the WHRC include preservation of historic records, buildings, and artifacts; and creative ways to use GFWC’s history for community outreach.

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.

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. Use the guide to explore and share GFWC’s amazing history while documenting your own!