The GFWC/Iowa Progressive Chautauqua Circle Study Club met Friday, April 27, in Salem Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall with Carolyn Biere serving as hostess. President Linda Huffman led the Pledge of Allegiance and Judy Weese gave devotions.
For the safety program, Joyce Anderson led a discussion on safety concerns in kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms, floors and stairs. She also gave information on weather safety explaining the difference between warnings and watches and safety measures regarding each and provided handouts for farm safety.
President Huffman called the meeting to order. Secretary Peg Anderson conducted roll call with six members and four life members responding. Each member told about a special art object they had.
Anderson read the minutes of the the March 11 meeting. It was approved as written.
Treasurer Judy Gale gave Treasurer’s Report. The report was placed on file for the auditing committee. Gale also read thank you notes for donations to SWCC and the Creston High School speech department.
Bloodmobile Chairperson, Betty Wallace, reported the April Blood Mobile was successful and made quota. The next Blood Mobile is June 20.
Legislation and Public Policy program chairman, Peg Anderson, reported Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization 2022, had passed. In addition, she invited members to read the quarterly newsletter from the national Legislation and Public Policy chairperson.
President Huffman reported several students from SW District had received GFWC scholarships. Music camperships that were awarded last year and not used because of Covid can be used this year.
Club and district chairperson for Domestic and Sexual Violence Awareness and Prevention Program, Jerrie Henderson, reported on several legislative bills concerning this program and are supported by GFWC. She described the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization 2022, (S. 3623 attached to H.R. 2741) will expand services and protections for survivors, including those from underserved communities such as rural communities, and provide increased resources and training for law enforcement and judicial system. It will strengthen rape prevention and education efforts, support local rape crisis centers and domestic shelters, improve the training and availability of sexual assault forensic examiners, expand access to safe housing for victims of revenge porn, increase enforcement of cybercrimes, increase funding for responses to child abuse and child sex crimes and broaden access to legal services for all survivors. Landmark provisions are included for Native American women and children, protecting families from non-Indian abusers by enabling Tribal prosecution for domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse. Henderson also stated that April was Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Prevention Month and described the Safe at Home Program.
Huffman, Gale and Anderson attended GFWC state convention in Okoboji, Iowa, April 19 - 20. Huffman reported 78 attendees including 26 first timers and six new members. Chautauqua received recognition for several areas including Arts and Culture Community Service and Domestic and Sexual Violence Awareness and Prevention program awards. Chautauqua was also recognized as a 100% reading club. Keynote address was “Organ Donation: A Mother’s Perspective” by Liz Markert.
Sharon Booth reported she had ordered books for the library in honor of Betty Wallace, Joyce Anderson and Judy Weese who became life members in the club and in memory of Bev Butler who passed away. Books purchased were One Italian Summer (for Bev Butler), Summer Getaway (for Betty Wallace), What Happened to the Bennetts? (for Joyce Anderson) and One Hundred Plants to Feed the Birds (for Judy Weese).
The May breakfast is 9:30 a.m., Friday, May 13, at home of Peg Anderson. Members were encouraged to bring guests. Committee members are Jerrie Henderson, Pat Butcher and Peg Anderson.
Members were asked to sign up to be hostesses, co-hostesses and program leaders for the 2022-23 club year.
Meeting adjourned. The Club Collect was read in unison.