Happy New Year from Dana Point Women's Club! This month's newsletter features the latest updates on Club activities in the community:
January meeting “Welcome 2024"
Thank you to our generous members
Nomination Committee - Open Board and Committee Positions
Handbags for Hearts
Upcoming Events
Welcome 2024!
Our Welcome 2024 general meeting was held Thursday, January 4th at 5 PM with 48 tickets reserved. Members and guests enjoyed Chinese appetizers and a glass of wine while our special guest, acclaimed artist Hedy Buzan, presented her inspiring collage series, “Portraits of Patriots - 12 Women Who Changed America”. Thank you to our members who generously made in-kind donations of diapers and formula valued at $600, and to Marla Freeman who kindly delivered these much-needed items to Family Assistance Ministries.
To read more about our January meeting on Patch, CLICK HERE.
A Valentine to our Members!
With Valentine’s Day around the corner, we thought it might be a great time to send a Valentine to all of you - our incredibly kind and generous members, who give from your hearts, resources and talents in so many ways, such as:
Volunteering on our Board and committees, sharing your creativity and ideas, working and having “fun in philanthropy” to make our events run smoothly and make a difference in so many lives.
Soliciting, donating, and/or wrapping raffle and auction prizes, and helping us pull off successful fundraisers and events to support our charities!
Setting up tables and chairs, helping with decor and table settings, preparing or plating food, baking cookies or participating in potlucks, busing tables, and staying till the end (SO appreciated) to take down tables, put away chairs, helping Sylvia with dishes and locking up after our events. We have many who generously show up, month after month. You (and we) know who you are -- THANK YOU!
Every member who helps, whether it be cleaning out cupboards at a "Community Housecleaning party", visiting local vendors to solicit auction prizes, baking cookies for a meeting, buying a coat for a kid, bringing a book for our book drives, or inviting friends to attend our events is a critical part of TEAM DPWC. We appreciate you all and are sending love and gratitude to every one of you!
Nomination Committee/Open Positions
Since we are eliminating the April general meeting in order to focus on our major fundraiser, Cocktails for a Cause coming April 10th, the Board voted to move our nominating process up by one month. The Slate of nominees will be announced at our March meeting, at which time nominations may also be made from the floor. Board elections will still take place in May as usual and new Board members will be installed at our June general meeting.
The Board has appointed Ways and Means Director Marla Freeman as chair of the nominating committee, with Donna Childress, Treasurer, and one general member selected by the chair, Betty Hill, agreed to serve on the committee. Please contact Marla if you are interested in any of the following Board positions which will be open June 1st:
BOARD POSITIONS OPEN June 1, 2024
1st Vice President/Program Chair
Recording Secretary
Public Relations Director
Community House Director
Committee and Board positions are open to any qualified member in good standing. Per our By-laws, members are encouraged to serve on at least one committee. There will be sign-up sheets available at our spring meetings.
COMMITTEES
Hospitality: Menu, plating, set up, decor, bussing/cleanup, take down
Membership: Welcoming Committee
Secretary: Check in desk, telephone committee
Treasurer: Square, auction and raffle assistance
Public Relations: Website management, Facebook/Instagram, photography, brochures
Ways & Means: Gift solicitation, baskets, auction, event planning, event set up/take-down
Community House: Rental showings, event liaison, house checks, facility maintenance, supplies
Please contact the nominating committee HERE to obtain copies of job descriptions and/or indicate your interest. Consult our bylaws for brief descriptions of each position. Full job descriptions will also be available at the February 1st meeting.
Handbags for Hearts
DPWC will once again be supporting a wonderful charity, Handbags for Hearts, started by our member, Lucinda Lambros, several years ago. At our February 1st meeting, we will be collecting gently used handbags of all sizes (from cosmetic bags to purses, small cross body bags, large tote bags, etc.) along with new items to stuff in the bags including full and sample sized lotions, shampoo, conditioner, hairbrushes, dental and personal hygiene items, lip gloss, etc.).
Lucinda and her team (which includes many of our members) will be stuffing the bags which will then be donated to several charities including 100 bags to women in our Project SparkPointOC families. Please collect purses and items from your friends and neighbors and help give vulnerable women in our community new handbags and essentials! Questions? Contact Lucinda.
Upcoming Events
Thursday, February 1st @ 11AM: General Meeting, “Love is in the Air": We’ll be making a presentation to the Dynamic Duo, construction helpers Mike Wolff and Boyd Childress, and making special Valentine’s cards and treats for local seniors. If you are able, please bring handbags and essentials for our Handbags for Hearts drive. If you haven’t yet registered, Click Here to Register and learn more. Note: If you cannot attend, simply respond with regrets to your email reminder.
Save the Date and CLICK HERE to Register! Wednesday April 10th at 5PM for our Annual Spring Fundraiser *Cocktails for a Cause* at Aventura Sailing Club. Passed hors d’oeuvres, dinner, silent auction, raffles, entertainment and FUN! $75 per person. Benefiting Orange County United Way SparkPoint OC program in South County.
Lastly, as a reminder, every member is asked to participate by helping with at least one event or meeting per year. Many hands make light work! If you haven’t participated and would like to help at the next or a future meeting, please EMAIL US to join the fun!
Thank you for strengthening our local community!
Happy New Year!
Dana Point Women's Club
Photo Credit: Club photography generously donated by Devin Marie Sims, DPWC Member