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President's Letter
Hello again, Wonderful Women of Nassau,
June was hard for me and other WON members as we received resignations from our Newsletter Chair Celia Gravely and Treasurer Pat Clendenen. Celia is moving to the beautiful mountains of north Georgia to be near family. Celia has been an indispensable asset for WON since the beginning and she will be sorely missed. The club presented Celia with the book “Sketches of Amelia Island and Fernandina Beach“ by Bill Maurer as a token of our appreciation. Pat needs to focus on expanding her astrology business. We thank Pat for her service to WON and wish her much success in her business.
Barbara Dennis has agreed to take over Newsletter Chair for the remainder of 2025. We are happy to welcome Barbara back to the Board as she served as Newsletter Chair last year. Kris Meyer has agreed to serve as Treasurer for the remainder of 2025. Suan Barnhardt, who has been coordinating luncheon programs, has agreed to take over all duties of the VP for Luncheon Meals and Programs for the remainder for 2025, or until Jacqui is able to return. Thank you, Barbara, Kris and Susan, we are looking forward to working with you on the Board this year.
I am sad to report that our long-time Corresponding Secretary and Webmaster Donna Wiliams, is experiencing some personal and family health issues. Donna has asked for one or two trainees to learn her duties in case she is unable to continue. We have decided to separate her duties into two separate positions – one Corresponding Secretary position and one Webmaster position. Teresa Johnston will be meeting with Donna to discuss the Webmaster position and hopefully we will be welcoming Teresa to the Board next month. We still need a Corresponding Secretary, so please let me know if you are interested.
At our June 19 luncheon, a member suggested that WON have more opportunities for younger members who may have work, family, or other obligations that prevent them from attending weekday meetings and events. During 2024 and 2025, the Board has made extra effort to create evening and weekend meetings, activities and events so that members who cannot attend during workday hours can participate. These meetings, activities and events include an annual evening business meeting, quarterly special events, quarterly mix and mingles, evening welcome coffees, Alhambra theater trips, as well as many regularly scheduled activities that are held in the evening or on weekends, Others are scheduled periodically. For specific dates and times, please refer to the events calendar on the WON website and to special email “blast” announcements. If you have ideas or suggestions for programs, activities, events or other benefits that we could offer, please email me or any board member.
Thank you to Barbara, Kris, Susan and Teresa for stepping up to keep our club the best around!
Have a good summer month and I hope to see you at a wonderful WON event soon!
Best,
Lynda Watson, President
Membership and Renewal for 2025
The membership application has been updated on the Women of Nassau website and can now be completed on-line and submitted on-line, and payment of dues can be completed via pay pal using the online functionality, https://womenofnassau.org/2025-on-line-membership . If you are an existing member, it is time to renew your membership for 2025.
Please encourage your female friends, family, and neighbors who live in Nassau County, FL to join us. This organization will work to provide friendship and fun to all members while supporting beneficial services to our community. We welcome your suggestions, your ideas and your dreams in helping to organize, plan and create this unique club!
Renew your membership or join today, if you want to continue enjoying the wonderful activities presented to us and future activities as we continue to grow and have more fun.
Philanthropy Information
Presenting the slate of charities for support in 2025. More information about the charities is included at https://womenofnassau.org/philanthropy-endeavors.
Vicki Gibson presented present an overview of mission of Philanthropy and decision making that went into the selection of the three major charities to be supported in 2025.
- Three members of the committee provided information about each charity: (all charities are 501(c)3 organizations)
- Ferst Readers – Lena Beale
- Gracie’s Kitchen – Jan Post
- o Chandler’s Hope – Sherry Vaughn
Vicki Gibson made a motion that the three charities selected by the Philanthropy Committee and approved by the Board, Gracie’s Kitchen, Ferst Readers and Chandler’s Hope be accepted as the organizations Women of Nassau will support in 2025. Motion was seconded by Nancy Gallimore. Motion passed.
Sunshine Corner / WON Cares
The WON Sunshine Corner/WON Cares provides moral and actual support to WON members. Please contact Judy Mahan (judymahan23@yahoo.com ) who will assist you with a list volunteers for your needs. Assistance with activities of daily living, transportation, meal, or just a friendly visit.
Survey Results
Earlier this year, your WON Board distributed a survey to all WON members asking for your input on how more value could be added to your WON membership. Approximately 50% of members responded to the survey. Thank you for your responses! We appreciate the many kind words and the excellent ideas and suggestions for improvement. Also a big thank you to Nancy Gallimore for compiling the survey results.
Your WON Board of Directors is taking the survey responses seriously. We want to let you know the steps that have been or are being taken to address your concerns, ideas and suggestions.
Many of your suggestions are already implemented or planned as disclosed below. So many excellent ideas were received that, as I mention below, we will need your help to be able to accomplish all that members have indicated they would like to see offered in the near future. We are asking for volunteers to take the lead or to assist with these initiatives. A large, time-consuming commitment is not necessary, we can tailor a volunteer task that fits your schedule and availability. Also we will be happy to help guide new volunteers with our past experience and information, so that you can feel more comfortable with offering to help. We currently have about 30 members who serve in leadership positions – Board members, activity leaders, philanthropy team, special events team – This is less than 20% of our membership. These wonderful women are the heartbeat of Women of Nassau. We would love to have additional members join our leadership team! Getting involved, even on a limited basis, is a great way to meet new people, make new friends, feel a sense of accomplishment, and have fun! So please consider volunteering to help with one of the proposed initiatives below.
- Suggestion: More evening or weekend social events that can include couples/significant others – More benefits/social activities for members was a major goal of your Board this year. A new Board position, Vice-President for Events and Education, was created this year to lead this initiative. VP Joy Kemp was charged with organizing at least four evening social events for 2024 and a budget was adopted to fund these events.
- Four events planned so far are: 1 st quarter – Bingo and dinner (39 members and guests participated in this event); 2nd quarter (June) – Sunset River Cruise; 3rd quarter – Couples Dinner (possibly with dancing); and 4th quarter – Beach Tailgate and Bonfire.
- Additional events - We are soliciting ideas for additional events (wine tasting, charcuterie board lesson, min-golf, sip and paint, St. Patty’s Day party, etc,) and member leaders to help organize these events. If interested, please contact Joy at WONevents2024@gmail.com.
- Suggestion: Day trips, Bus trips, Field trips. Suggestions include:
- Trips to get to know Nassau County
- Trips to Local and Jacksonville points of interest
- Savannah
- Tallahassee
- Okefenokee Swamp
- Weeki Watchee State Park (mermaids)
- The Board agreed to reinstate the “See Florida” Committee to plan more trips in Florida as well as surrounding states. We are seeking a volunteer Committee Chair, as well as members to serve on this committee, to make specific trip recommendations and help organize trips. If you are interested in helping with this new committee, please contact Lynda Watson at lyndanamelia@gmail.com.
- Suggestion: Form volunteer groups to go together to different places or events. This is already informally in place. For example, Dawn often forms a group to attend exhibits at the Cummer Museum in Jacksonville, and she formed the WON cruise to Quebec. If you have an idea or suggestion for something you would like to do with a group, we will help you to organize the event. Please contact Dawn Bostwick at bostwickdwon@gmail.com if you are interested.
- Suggestion: Interested in more active vs sitting activities, or new activities.
- Beach Walks, Hiking, Biking, Kayaking – If you are interested in beach walks, hiking, biking or kayaking, please send an email to Joanne.lichten@gmail.com to tell her to add your email to WON’s Outdoor Adventure groups, which plans activities such as hiking, biking, and kayaking. Just last week the group did a beach walk.
- Golf
- Pickleball
- Euchre (a card game)
- If you are interested in organizing and leading one of these activities or any new activity, please contact Activities Chair Karen Boyce at kdboyce2690@gmail.com. Karen will be happy to assist you with setting up and managing the new activity.
- Suggestion: Happy Hour Dinners once per month – this is a great idea, we are seeking additional Event Committee members to assist with organizing these monthly happy hour dinner events. If interested, please contact Joy at WONevents2024@gmail.com.
- Suggestion: More Dinner Theatre – (Alhambra, local Blue Fire Theater, etc) This is a great idea, we are seeking members to assist with organizing dinner theater more frequently. If interested, please contact Dawn Bostwick at bostwickdwon@gmail.com.
- Suggestion: Monthly luncheons - continue to have the wide variety of speakers and programs. VP for Luncheons Lorraine Clapper has done an excellent job of arranging for diverse and interesting speakers and programs for our luncheons this year. All 12 months for 2024 have been scheduled and include the following:
- May – Liberty Landscaping, Amy Underwood talked on native flowers of NorthEast Florida, and what works best in our gardens.
- June – Susan Pendergrass, RN, will give a medication safety overview including substance abuse (opioids, substances of all types and routes), How and when to use Narcan for suspected overdose.
- July – Kayla Grimm from the Beauty Bar will do a makeup and hair presentation with beauty tips and maintenance for ages 55+, and some beauty product giveaways.
- August – Andrea Beaches Dermatology presentation.
- September – Fashion Show!
- October – Richard Trimm will present about the Right Whales of Amelia Island organization
- November- WON Ways and Means Cookie Sale!
- December – WON Holiday celebration and gift exchange.
- Monthly luncheon program suggestions that will be forwarded for 2025 include:
- Health, Wellness/Aging:
- Pilates Barr TRX, Fernandina Beach Ascendance Pilates
- Sheryl Vaughn Fitness - Health and Senior Women
- Council for Aging
- Programs that emphasize our philanthropic mission:
- Social Service Organizations to talk about their agencies and services (Carol Weldon has volunteered to help with this)
- The Nest for helping pregnant women in Nassau County
- Local History (many members are new to our area)
- Thea Seagraves – History Museum
- Chris Belcker – Amelia Island Lighthouse
- Other Local History
- Programs that are educational and fun, Activities for members to participate in
- Fashion
- Spa/women’s care/aging
- Jewelry show
- Front Porch Beaders
- Bingo?
- Highlighting WON members who have special talents or accomplishments
- Wildlife photography – Nancy Gallimore
- Adventures taken by members (with slideshow pics?)
- India, Arctic Circle, Africa – Nancy Gallimore
- Japan – Laurie Laiken
- Mount Rushmore, South Dakota – Gay Dunlop
- Ireland – Joy Kemp and Lynda Watson
- If you have additional speakers or topics to suggest, please contact Lorraine Clapper at lorraineclapperwon@gmail.com.
- Health, Wellness/Aging:
- Suggestion: Monthly luncheon to go back to a buffet - The meals were changed from a buffet to plated with servers because the buffet took so long to complete that it did not work well with our speakers/programs and because the first tables to go to the buffet were finished with their meal before the final tables were able to visit the buffet. However, VP for Luncheons Lorraine Clapper is working with Amelia Nationalmanagement on the possibility of having one or two meals as a buffet this year, perhaps for a late summer and a fall luncheon.
- Suggestion : Reduce Monthly luncheon cost, change luncheon locations occasionally. Considerable research has been done on luncheon costs and location. There are very few venues in the area that can accommodate a group of our size. Of those, we were unable to find a venue with a price less than Amelia National. Considering the beautiful upscale setting, quiet room for our business meeting and programs, excellent service, quality three-course meals with tea, lemonade and coffee, very accommodating chef and management, not to mention plentiful nearby free parking, the Board feels that we are fortunate to be able to use the Amelia National Clubhouse for our luncheons. If anyone is interested in serving as VP for Luncheons for 2025 and being responsible for changing the luncheons, by all means, let me know and I will be sure that you are nominated for next year.
- Suggestion : New slogan for the group – “WON is FUN”! I like it!
And finally, I would like to thank WON Board members, Committee chairs, committee members, and other volunteers who work on WON business and in organizing events for WON. These folks spend tremendous amounts of time and effort on these projects. You cannot truly appreciate the amount of effort involved in each activity, event, or trip until you have worked on that project. Please consider volunteering for one (or more) of the projects that interests you. Not only will your participation help to make WON a stronger organization, it is a great way to meet new people, make new friends, and boost your self-esteem by contributing to your organization and community! And it will be fun too.
Sincerely,
Your WON President
Lynda Watson
Volunteer Opportunity
Want to meet many of your fellow WON members all at once? Volunteer to help out at the check in table for the luncheons. It is a great way to meet fellow members, get to know folks better and in general participate in an activity that really needs folks to help out. We are asking for at least two volunteers for each month beginning in March.
There will be a signup sheet for this activity at the luncheon. Even if you can only tentatively volunteer, please consider it. We would like to have three members for each month so if there is an emergency, we will have two to hand out seat assignments and in general greet your fellow WON members. Gay Dunlop has offered to help manage this. If you would like to take help her out managing this fun activity, please let her know or email her at gaynoradunlop@gmail.com.
WON Tee Shirts
WON now has a team T-shirt! It is a beautiful short sleeve, royal blue with silver logo, and is also available in a V-neck T-shirt. The cost is $16.05 per shirt. This T-shirt would be great to wear while attending WON activities, events, and especially while volunteering!
This eye-catching shirt will help WON be recognized in our community.
Purchase on the website at https://womenofnassau.org/shopping-cart/ols/products/won-shirt.
Welcome Coffee
The Women of Nassau has a Membership Welcome Coffee. This activity is meant to introduce all of our potentional and new members to the club. Of course, if other members would like to attend, please feel free to come by. Board members will be on hand to discuss the club, our activities, mission statement, charity work, etc.
The Welcome Coffee will be held monthly beginning on the third Monday of the month starting at 10:30 a.m. and lasting until 11:30 a.m. A group may go to lunch afterwards. Please encourage your friends who may be interested in this club to attend this informative activity. More information is available at https://womenofnassau.org/special-events.
Share the big news - Women of Nassau
We're excited about our new Women of Nassau social club in Nassau County, Florida, created for new and current residents! This organization will work to provide friendship and fun to all members while supporting beneficial services to our community. Bring your suggestions, your ideas, and your dreams in helping to create this unique club! If you know someone who might be interested in becoming a charter member, please share this information. Our membership application is located on our Downloads page.
Club Activities
We're delighted to share with you some of the activities information that we are working hard on scheduling in the future. WE NEED YOU to help us achieve our goals of being fun and friendly. Some of our activities include: bingo, bon appetit, bowling, bridge, canasta (of all varieties), chick flicks, CSI, dirt digging divas, Friday night chill, game night, guess who's coming to dinner, see Florida, and many others. All ideas, suggestions, information, and what you can bring to our club are greatly appreciated.