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The Bulletin May 2016 The Woman’s Club of Evanston
From our President ~
Hello Dear Members, I am filled with gratitude for the wonderful things you, our membership, have accomplished for each other, the WCE and for our community this past year. Simply stated - thank you for all you have done to make this past year a success. Our Board of Directors, Jennifer Schuman, Linda Severin, Charlotte Rathke, Sara Brenner, Tammy McKnight, Anne Sullivan, Rona Taylor Green, Mel Cody, and of course, Chava Wu, have worked seamlessly to guide the organization. Thoughtful sharing of ideas and equally thoughtful listening helped us move forward under our new structure. Their leadership has been extraordinary. I have learned so much from each one of them this year. Thank you ladies of the Board for your service. As for our future, Chava is ready and will be a wonderful President. I am in awe of her considered and kind approach to everything she does. The WCE is in very good hands indeed with Chava and next year’s Board and Leadership Council. Wonderful things happened this year and each of you contributed to the fun. Membership hosted New Member Information evenings, meet ups, dinners, programs and mini lunches, a High Tea, and free gatherings like our Havana Nights. There is always so much to do and so little time. Community Outreach tended to the Soup Kitchen, Deacon’s Closet, Fairy Tale Trail, ESCCA, HOW Holiday party and for the first time, organized a successful Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service for our members. Contributions set a giving focus and reviewed and selected our grant recipients, as well as our beneficiaries for next year. Please do attend the Contributions Breakfast on May 25. Philanthropy managed to make us shop until we dropped at Cornucopia. We laughed until our sides hurt at the Benefit Show and then we danced the night away raising funds at the Spring Benefit. In between, Yearbook produced a fabulous color yearbook and we Wine Walked our way around town having a grand time while increasing funds for our small grants. Bylaws worked hard this year to capture what we do and how we do it with new charters for each committee and carefully managed our new Bylaws to make sure they accurately capture all that makes us a great organization. Our Marketing Committee brought our communications both inside and outside of the club to new levels incorporating our mission, new branding and ending the year with a new look for our website. How about our presence on Facebook and other social media? Stay tuned for a new and improved WCE on the web. House and Grounds keeps our grand old clubhouse in fine working order and Finance kept us rolling along and our budgets balanced. Michelle, Elizabeth, Elvis and Arthur, thank you for just everything. A very special thanks to all who helped with the basement clean up last month. I am so grateful to have been able to serve the Club this past year as your President. I wrote in my first letter to you that there is not much we can’t accomplish if we work together. I am so proud of all that we did this past year to grow leaders, friendship and community. I will see you at the dinner on May 18, where I will hand off the to next year’s leadership. I am filled with gratitude for our Club. In friendship,
Jan Hartwell, President 2015-2016
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Celebrate!
Come celebrate with fellow WCE members on Wednesday, May 18th from 6pm-9pm at the Annual Meeting and Dinner.
We will celebrate not only the arrival of Spring, but all our accomplishments this year. The program also includes awards and the presentation of the 2016-2017 Board.
Food For Thought will provide a catered dinner featuring:
Roasted Beet, Apple and Goat Cheese Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette
Oven Roasted Carved Chicken Breast with Mashed Potatoes, Asparagus, Swiss Chard, Chicken Jus
Vegetarian Option: Couscous Croquette with Salsify Crema, Brussels Sprouts, "Bacon"
Dark Chocolate Fudge Cake with Vanilla Ice Cream and Caramel Sauce
Vegan or Gluten Free Option: Fresh Seasonal Fruit
Cost is $42 per guest. Please register on ClubRunner by May 10.
Register at the Clubhouse or online here.
Book Buzz – May 26
At our Thursday, May 26th meeting of BOOK BUZZ, we will discuss Rita Golden Gelman’s travel memoir Tales of a Female Nomad – Living at Large in the World.
Summary: Tales of a Female Nomad is the story of Rita Golden Gelman, an ordinary woman who is living an extraordinary existence. At the age of forty-eight, on the verge of a divorce, Rita left an elegant life in Los Angeles to follow her dream of connecting with people in cultures all over the world. In 1986, she sold her possessions and became a nomad, living in a Zapotec village in Mexico, sleeping with sea lions on the Galapagos Islands, and residing everywhere from thatched huts to regal palaces. She has observed orangutans in the rain forest of Borneo, visited trance healers and dens of black magic, and cooked with women on fires all over the world. Rita’s example encourages us all to dust off our dreams and rediscover the joy, the exuberance, and the hidden spirit that so many of us bury when we become adults. Please join us Wednesday, May 26th, to share your thoughts about Gelman’s book “Tales of a Female Nomad”. If possible, please bring a beverage and/or a snack to share. Questions, contact Cicely Clarke Michalak ([email protected]) or Mary Watt ([email protected]).
Hope to SEE YOU AT BOOK BUZZ!
Club Events
May 2
Scrip Order Due
May 6
Scrip Order Pickup
May 18
Annual Dinner
May 25
Contributions Breakfast
May 26
Book Buzz
May 30
Memorial Day Clubhouse Closed
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Contributions to the Community Breakfast
Have you ever wondered where the funds raised through the Yearbook and Cornucopia go? Curious about next year’s Spring Benefit and Show beneficiaries? Then please join us for the heart-warming Contributions to the Community Breakfast on Wednesday, May 25th at 8am at the Clubhouse.
All WCE members are welcome to attend. Come see first-hand why we work so hard as a club to raise money for these deserving organizations. Further details are below.
When: Wednesday, May 25th at 8am
Where: The Woman's Club of Evanston Clubhouse
What: Presentation of 2015-2016 Grant Awards, as well as 2017 Benefit Show, Spring Benefit and Clubhouse Usage Recipient Announcements
RSVP to Chris Heisinger by Wednesday, May 18th at [email protected]
Membership News
What a year we had! Thank you to all of you who referred your friends and acquaintances to the WCE and a
special thanks to the members of the Membership Committee who so graciously welcomed over 100
prospective members at our membership info nights.
The following women joined the club between June 2015 and April 2016. Please be sure to make them feel
right at home when you see them around!
WCE Class of 2015-16
Shantia Aikens
Nicole Arbuckle
Alicia Avila
Cynthia Bates
Michelle Bobier
Caitlin Cody
Candace Darrah
Kelly Demers
Melissa Dessent
Raissa Bailey Eirich
Alexis Eyler
Abby Giffin
Martha Gillis
Nia Gray
Salina Greene
Victoria Gustafson
Yamini Hingorani
Brenda Hockberger
Gina Hughes
Adell Kabins
Susan Kaplan
Elizabeth Kinney
Susan Nichols Klein
Victoria Leitner
Michelle Marvin
Drina Nikola
Abi Nix
Susan Oguche
Christina Parrish
Devon Pavlek
Mary Petty
Marcia Powers
Alma Reyther
Betsy Robinson
Stacey Heatherington Simpson
Soula Spyropoulos
Jessica Tucker
Heather Vezner
Jennifer Waldman
Cathy Walker
Kimberley Walker
Alison Walsh
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(Membership Continued)
If you have not already turned in your membership renewal materials, please do so by May 1st. Please note that a $25 late fee will be charged to members who turn in dues after June 1st.
Click the links below to renew your membership:
WCE Committee Selection Form
WCE 2016-17 Ballot
To pay your dues, go to www.wcofe.org and log in to your account by clicking Member Login in the upper
right corner of the page. Once logged in, go to the Member Area (link in upper right corner). From the
ClubRunner Admin screen, select My Billing Account Balance. You will see you account balance and be
able to pay online using a credit card (Visa, Mastercard or Discover). You can also pay by check which you
can mail to following address:
The Woman's Club of Evanston
Attn: Membership Chair
1702 Chicago Ave.
Evanston, IL 60201
Congratulations and best wishes to Marci Rubin as she transitions into her year as Membership Chair. Marci
has been a pleasure to work with and has really enhanced our membership program with the creation of our
New Member Committee. The New Member Committee is a fun yet informative means of transitioning our
newest recruits into club life.
In closing, I'd like to thank Alicia O’Connor and Heather Silver for their assistance with membership
renewals. Many thanks to our Flick Chick Debbie Cassell and our Book Buzz coordinators Cicely Clarke
Michalak and Mary Watt for continuing to offer their well-loved activities to our members. My sincere thanks
also to Joy Schwabach and Donna Frett who, along with the dynamic Programs committee, worked
tirelessly to bring our members a terrific variety of programs and speakers. Finally, I would like to thank
Brenda Lee-Kang and the Social Committee who provided delicious luncheons to round out our programs,
as well as phenomenal and festive club dinners.
Thanks for a great year and it’s been a pleasure serving you!
Very truly yours,
Rona Green Taylor, 2015-16 Membership Chair
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New Member Corner As we head into the end of our membership year, please introduce yourselves to these new members when you see them about the club!
Nicole Arbuckle is originally from Andalusia, Alabama and lives in Evanston (less than a mile from the Clubhouse!). She and her family moved here from Nashville, Tennessee last summer. She deeply enjoys her work in Floral and Interior Design. She is with John Plunkett Interiors and is very excited to offer her services within the community. She is wife to Brandon (a PhD student at Garrett Theological Seminary at Northwestern) and mother to two energetic boys, Rowan (age 6) and Stanley (age 3). Kristi Raftery moved to Evanston in November of 2007. She worked for almost 9 years at Abbott Labs in Waukegan as a senior project manager for IT projects. She's married to Mike and they have two small children ages 4 and 2. She made the transition to stay home with the little people in May of last year and says it's been a rewarding experience to both spend time with them and also to be more immersed in the Evanston community. Some of her interests include cooking, traveling and personal fitness. She was previously a member from September 2010 to May 2013 and worked primarily on the Community Outreach committee. She worked on the Dreams Delivered team and co-led the HOW Valentine’s Day party. Welcome back Kristi! Abby Giffin currently lives in Chicago. She is a wedding planner and loves to spend her free time visiting flea markets and antique shops and walking her three dogs. Her wedding planning business is called Heirloom Event Co. Check it out here: Website Instagram Pinterest
A Special MLK Jr. Day of Service Thank you The WCE Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service events in January included making valentines and goodie bags for our active military service men and women. We received the following email from Marci Hoffman, US Air Force Pilot in Iraq:
Ma'am, I received a box today from you and the women and kids from The Woman's Club of Evanston. Thank you so much for your generosity! My unit was so happy to get the valentines and the care package. We are definitely enjoying all of the goodies. The Valentine's were so colorful and we love them! I am a C-130 pilot in the Air Force. I keep busy over here, but that's a good thing. Time is going by fast. I have twin babies who will turn two next month. I am originally from PA, but I live in AR. I was in Chicago last year in the winter time. It was so cold! I'd like to go back when they are having warmer temperatures. Thank you again! I hope you have a wonderful day.
Respectfully, Marci Hoffman, US Air Force
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Spring-A-Ding-Ding…..Let’s Hop To It With Scrip!
Consider all the idioms which use the word ‘spring:’ “A Spring In Your Step,” Spring Forward,” “Spring Into Action,” all connoting activity and energy. As we all start moving again let’s remember that a commitment to action is what gets things done.
As WCE members here’s something we can all act on. Through participation in the Scrip program you have an opportunity to help raise funds for the maintenance and upkeep of our Clubhouse. Every year we set a goal of $5000 and as our club year ends in just 30 days we are asking everyone to take part. Making your everyday purchases with WCE Scrip cards is truly Fundraising While You Shop® that doesn’t impact your pocketbook We’re almost there, so let’s cross the finish line together!
If you have never shopped with Scrip, this is the perfect time to do something different and give it a try. Think of it as practice for making New (Club) Year resolutions. Don’t forget, the turnaround time for Scrip orders has also sprung ahead. No more 10-day wait, so pick-up day is Friday of the same week (see date below). So come on you spring chickens!
Time To Spring For Some Scrip Cards!
Take a look at this site for your favorite stores and services: https://www.shopwithscrip.com/ then pick up Scrip order form from Clubhouse office
You may also contact Sara Brenner at [email protected] / 847-475-3377or ask any member of the House and Grounds Committee for information
Completed form with payment to the WCE can then be:
Mailed (1702 Chicago Ave. Evanston, IL, 60201/Attention: Scrip Order) OR Dropped off (House and Grounds mailbox in office.)
May orders due Monday, May 2. Pick-up Friday, May 6.
June orders due Monday, June 6. Pick-up Friday, June 10.
Programs The Programs Committee had its last program of the year on April 19th, “Women in Shakespeare’s Day,” by Professor Wendy Wall. Thank you Donna Frett, my Assistant Programs Chair, and Brenda Lee-Kang, Social Chair, for all your help throughout the year. Thank you Programs Committee for your help! You made meetings fun and productive! Thanks especially to all those who acted as liaisons to speakers, including Barbara Bridges, Cynthia Bridges, Donna Frett, Kerri Palmer, Pam Swales, Phebe Tinker, and Frieda Walter. Joy Schwabach, 2015-16 Programs Chair
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Bylaws Update As approved by the Board of Directors, amendments to the Bylaws are being recommended for approval by the membership. In accordance with the Bylaws, these changes are being submitted to the membership for a vote to approve:
Bylaws changes summary:
The Public Relations and Marketing Committee is being renamed the Marketing Committee in order to better reflect the mission and purpose of the committee. This name change results in changing the name of the committee and the chair where they are mentioned in the bylaws.
In addition, it is recommended that an Assistant Marketing Chair position be added to the Bylaws which will ascend to the Marketing Chair position. This allows for better planning and continuity of the Marketing Committee activities between club years.
A correction to the Nominating Committee member selection which was misstated in the Bylaws changes last year.
MOTION FOR MEMBERSHIP APPROVAL
It is moved that the following amendments to the Bylaws be approved:
The first sentence of Section 3.1 shall be amended to read:
Officers. The officers of the Club shall be the President, President-Elect, First Vice President, Second Vice President, Third Vice President, Community Outreach Chair, Marketing Chair, Bylaws and Strategic Planning Chair, Secretary and Treasurer.
Section 3.2 shall be amended to read:
Section 3.2 Terms, Elections and Accession. Except as otherwise provided by these Bylaws, all officers shall hold office until their successors are elected, if applicable, and qualified or until their earlier death, resignation or removal. All officers shall serve for a term of one year. The offices of the President, First Vice President, Second Vice President, Third Vice President, Community Outreach Chair, Marketing Chair and Treasurer shall be filled by accession as provided by these Bylaws. The offices of the President-Elect, Bylaws and Strategic Planning Chair and Secretary shall be filled upon election by the Members.
Section 3.12 shall be amended to read:
Section 3.12 Marketing Chair. The Marketing Chair shall be responsible for conducting, organizing and overseeing the marketing strategy and communication efforts of the Club. In addition to any other powers or duties as from time to time may be prescribed for the Marketing Chair by these Bylaws, the Board of Directors or the President, the Marketing Chair shall (a) be a director and (b) serve as a voting member and preside at all meetings of the Marketing Committee. The Assistant Marketing Chair shall automatically ascend to the office of the Marketing Chair upon the expiration of the Marketing Chair’s term of office or upon any earlier vacancy occurring in the office of the Marketing Chair.
Section 6.4 shall be amended to read:
Section 6.4 Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee shall be composed of (a) four individuals appointed by the Board of Directors and (b) four additional individuals and two alternates
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elected by the Members. In addition, there shall be a Nominating Chair selected by the Members. Each member of the Nominating Committee shall serve for a term of one year. The Nominating Committee shall be responsible for soliciting candidates from the membership and timely nominating and slating qualified candidates to be elected by the Members in any of the following positions: the President-Elect, Marketing Chair, Bylaws and Strategic Planning Chair, Secretary, Assistant Membership Chair, Assistant Philanthropy Chair, Assistant House and Grounds Chair, Assistant Marketing Chair, Assistant Community Outreach Chair, Assistant Treasurer, Nominating Chair, Contributions Chair and such other positions as determined from time to time by the Board of Directors. The Nominating Committee shall have such other authority and duties as may be assigned by the Board of Directors or as set forth in the committee charter governing the Nominating Committee.
The first sentence of Section 6.5 shall be amended to read:
Assistant Chairs. The individuals serving as the Assistant Membership Chair, Assistant Philanthropy Chair, Assistant House and Grounds Chair, Assistant Marketing Chair and Assistant Community Outreach Chair (the “Assistant Chairs”) shall serve in such positions until their successors are elected and qualified, or until their earlier death, resignation or removal.
This motion will be voted upon at the Annual Meeting to be held May 18, 2016. A redlined version of the Bylaws is available for review in the Clubhouse office or electronically on the ClubRunner here.
Any questions on this motion should be directed to Tamara McKnight, Bylaws and Strategic Planning Chair, who can be reached at [email protected] or 847-807-9547.
Thank You 2015-16 House and Grounds Committee!
We sure tackled a lot this year and you as a committee stepped up to the plate! We cleaned and painted white chairs, planted and weeded our gardens, promoted ticket sales to Join the Club, staffed the Evanston Public Library Storytelling Festival and Open House Chicago, took inventory and organized the kitchen, helped set up the ladies dressing room for the Show, cleaned the clubhouse after the Show, washed lots of rags, curtains and tablecloths, and sold a whole lot of Scrip cards. All in the name of our beloved 1702 Chicago Avenue. I want to give a special shout out to a few ladies who gave a little extra this year: Victoria Raphael for her clever and catchy Scrip articles for the Bulletin and eblasts, Kate Mattson for helping fill the monthly Scrip order, Fern Allison for taking monthly H&G minutes, Loreen Mershimer for anything to do with our gardens, Kate Mattson and Abbey Turilli for their countless hours performing the clubhouse inventory, Maradee Valenti for being the H&G Business Manager and my right hand woman, and last but certainly not least, Michelle Sweeney, Clubhouse Manager, for being just about everything. We could not function without you! It has been my pleasure to lead and work with my favorite group of gals; yikes, I have been on this committee for 15 years! Thank you one and all for your hard work and continued support this past year. I hope to see many of you next year as I pass the torch to the very capable Maradee Valenti. With Gratitude, Sara Brenner 2015-16 House and Grounds Chair
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Marketing & PR Committee – Our Thanks David Letterman Style
It’s been a big year for the WCE, with our rebranding to highlight our passion for supporting community, building friendships and developing leaders. To inspire change, you need a strong team focused on collaborative, consistent communication and what a team we had! I want to thank this year’s Marketing & PR Committee, the team that made it happen, David Letterman style with our top 10 marketing moments and their leaders. Thank you to…
10 – Susan Felts for supporting Programs, Karen York for getting the E-Blast reformatted and rebranded, Martha Gillis for bring a new perspective to the committee and Ruth Alexander, Patty Brown, Heather Bublick, Sara Dioguardi, Marilyn Moss Hendershot and Donna Kane for their support throughout the year
9 – Cathy Graettinger and Carrie Calkins for supporting the Wine Walk, and to all the women who support and performed in our award-winning Evanston 4th of July Parade entry!
8 –Lori Osborne and Melody Farley for collecting, organizing and championing our archives
7 – Natalie Banovitz for writing our charter and keeping the Bulletin Board vision alive with the help of our committee friend, Anita Remijas
6 – Jane DeMoss for creating another awesome Green Book, Heather Kohler for designing our new WCE Trifold Brochure and Alicia O’Connor for her support on the website development
5 – Debbie Cassell for her eagle eye editing and for putting the Club on Flickr. A special thank you to Jennifer Schuman and Kathy Shiverts for the terrific photos
4 – Lori Martin-Beauchamp for leading communications and producing the bulletin each month
3 – Kathy Shiverts and Lisa Hurst (Hatton) for all of their technical support and website updates
2 – The E-Blasters – Karen Fomook, Patty Sprague and Mimi Roeder - for their weekly communications that kept us all informed, and Jacquie Linney for her tireless support of all things marketing
1 – Christina Coons for her social media savviness that kept WCE active and engaged on Facebook, Twitter and local calendars
And a final, special thank you to Karen Larson for continuing the great work the team started, as the in-coming Chair of the Marketing Committee. We can all look back and be proud of what we have accomplished!
Linda Severin, Marketing & PR Chair 2015-16
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Philanthropy Thank You
It has been said that our relationships with others are the greatest determinant of our happiness.
I am so happy - and grateful - for the wonderful friends I’ve made at the WCE over the years. And I truly appreciate all the efforts of the Philanthropy Leadership Council Chairs, Philanthropy members and my wonderful Assistant Chair, Lucia Guridi, this past year in support of the Beneficiaries and our clubhouse. Team Philanthropy rocks!
Claire Strykowski and Michelle Salazar, with help from a core group and many volunteers, ran a very successful Cornucopia Market. Julie Garrison and team re invigorated the Yearbook (and made a pot of money). Jessica Trent and the Show Peeps entertained us and also raised a boatload of money. Lucia Guridi chaired the 2nd Annual Wine Walk, a very successful co-venture with the Evanston community.
Many, many thanks to the Spring Benefit Committee for the elegant and successful party at the Saddle & Cycle Club, benefitting Curt’s Café South. Many hands made light work – but a core group deserves extra special recognition.
Holly Brady and Jackie Mack, Co-Chairs, have been working on this event since last Fall. It truly has been a labor of love. Heather Martino masterminded the online and live auctions and agreed to Co-Chair next year’s Spring Benefit with Karen Graham Fomook - another overachiever. Jane DeMoss wore both the Business Manager and Tech Goddess tiaras. Phebe Tinker, Linda Joelo and Kristi Rafferty ran the ‘brown bag pull, gathering prizes, and make the (beautiful) bags. Christina Coons Socialized the party – we are so grateful for her media skills and help. Chris Castino served as our Creative Consultant. Donna Brown and Victoria Gustafson recruited volunteers for the evening – no small feat. And Jan Hartwell and Kate Spector, our wonderful Auctioneers, have been declared Honorary Members of the Spring Benefit Committee! Last, but not least, we want to thank our donors and guests. It was a very special evening due in no small part to the efforts of many, many people.
This has been an interesting and sometimes challenging year transitioning into our new Club structure. Kudos to everyone who jumped in and participated with a positive spirit. My heartfelt thanks to the entire Philanthropy committee and WCE membership for supporting our fundraising efforts.
Best, Melanie Cody, Philanthropy Chair 2015-16.
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Hats off for 3rd Annual WCE High Tea! The 3rd Annual WCE High Tea was held on a beautiful Sunday afternoon in April and has now become a wonderful club tradition. The High Tea has evolved into a combined effort between the Membership and Policy Committees to honor both the new Club members and our membership-at-large. This year’s Tea was very well attended and enjoyed by over 100 club members who shared delicious food and desserts with an array of assorted specialty teas.
After a boisterous social hour, the program began with Club President Jan Hartwell’s introduction of all YWA and WCE past presidents in attendance. We were then honored to have Club member and Director of the Evanston Women’s History Project, Lori Osborne present an informative program about the relationship between WCE Club founder Elizabeth Boynton Harbert and WCTU President Francis Willard. We loved hearing about their friendship! The program culminated with Membership Chair Rona Green Taylor and Assistant Membership Chair Marci Rubin recognizing all members, celebrating the long legacy of the club and ending with a champagne toast to the 2015-16 new Club members.
Our deepest thanks to those of you who assisted with food and tea donations, set up, replenishing the serving tables, and clean up -- truly too numerous to mention everyone by name! Please know that your help and donations were very much noted and appreciated! Shout-outs to Cindee Bath for table linens and to Mimi Roeder and Anne Gilford for the beautiful flowers, and an extra-special thank you to Jane Driscoll for the lovely music, all of which added such elegance to the afternoon.
Thank you to all who attended the Tea, listened to the program and welcomed new club members while spending a lovely afternoon in the company of friends. It was fabulous to see so many of you!
With gratitude,
Patricia Brightman, Gail Newman, Anita Remijas, Kathy Rocklin and Heather Silver WCE High Tea Committee
In Sadness Longtime member Florence Sargis Ganja passed away in March at the age of 94. She taught elementary school for more than two decades at what is now Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Literary and Fine Arts School in Evanston. Our thoughts are with Florence’s family.
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Seen Around the Clubhouse 3rd Annual High Tea
Dreams Delivered
