CSP Alignment – June 2020
Community Service Programs are the heart of the GFWC organization. As you plan for your upcoming administrations and projects, we wanted to provide the framework of the new CSP alignment. We hope you find this helpful and if you have any questions please feel free to contact us. Information is still coming in and we expect the GFWC Administration Book in July, so we will share as soon as we can.
ARTS and CULTURE COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAM – The study of art and culture enriches the human experience. Art education improves problem solving and critical thinking skills, builds focus and perseverance, and nurtures creativity, confidence, and collaboration. Cultural awareness promotes effective communication and profoundly increases the ability to appreciate and enjoy a variety of new people and experiences. Project Ideas:
- Sponsor a Youth Art Contest during Youth Art Month in March.
- Be creative – design and decorate a garden.
- Help build, paint, and decorate a Little Free Library.
- Hold a fundraiser to provide large equipment for local schools’ art, music, & drama programs.
- Host an art supply drive within your club.
- Hold a recycled art contest for art projects made using recycled materials.
- Make homemade holiday cards for nursing home residents or Meals on Wheels recipients.
- Host an international dinner party. Choose a country or region as a theme. Decorate and select the meal to fit the theme. Learn about the culture by sharing facts about the area including food, music, lifestyle, etc.
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT and OUTREACH COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAM – The GFWC Civic Engagement and Outreach Community Service Program reminds GFWC members that each of us is a part of a larger society and is responsible for undertaking actions that will create a better quality of life and foster a sense of community— locally, regionally, nationally, and globally. The four “broad strokes” of this effort include: Citizenship; Crime Prevention, Safety, and Disaster Preparedness; the Needy, Hungry, and Homeless; and Our Military Personnel and Veterans. Project ideas:
- Work together to “Get Out the Vote!” Encourage others to register and vote, provide information about early voting or polling location and times, and offer transportation.
- Support and aid women veterans in your community.
- Support and thank local Police and Fire Departments for keeping the community safe.
- Encourage members to research programs that support our military.
- Work with your VA to identify veterans who need household supplies and furniture, employment assistance, educational scholarships, or other help.
- Collect socks at club, district, or state meetings and donate this “number one most requested item” to homeless shelters.
- Organize a club day of service at a local food pantry by donating goods and organizing their shelves.
- USO projects
EDUCATION and LIBRARIES COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAM – GFWC members promote education in both children and adults. We aim to help others, while we also continue to learn. Projects in the Education Community Service Program are designed to foster schools, as well as other educational institutions and opportunities, and to promote literacy, libraries, and the love of a good book. Through these efforts, we encourage the growth of individuals and communities at home and around the world.
Project Ideas:
- Support STEM programs and activities for special needs students.
- Establish a scholarship for a local student.
- Support schools, educators, and students with donations of school supplies, playground equipment, or fund field trips for underserved students.
- Host story times, parties, or adult book discussions at the local library.
- Organize book-themed events, such as a book walk, book fair, book bingo, book drive/swap, book reading challenge, or book club of “reading buddies.”
- Support your local public library by sponsoring materials and programs for the underserved.
- Support ESO in your state for book study and discussion. Participate in the online GFWC ESO reading book club.
- HOBY sponsorship and programs
ENVIRONMENT COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAM – The GFWC Environment Community Service Program encourages us to become stewards of the earth by working to preserve the world’s resources, protect wildlife and domesticated animals, live sustainably, and beautify our communities and enjoy nature. Project Ideas:
- Creative Projects to Reduce Plastics Use, Refuse, Reuse, Repurpose and Recycle.
- Join the Arbor Day Foundation and receive ten free trees to plant or donate to be planted in a rain forest or one of our National Forests. – Initiate a “Go Paperless” campaign.
- Participate in an awareness day such as Arbor Day, America Recycles Day & Earth Day
- Hold a community workshop on sustainable gardening.
- Educate members on the dangers of poor air quality, which is one of the major causes of premature death around the world.
- Support wetland conservation and learn how wetlands are a deterrent to flooding and drought.
- Commemorate America Recycles Day (November 15), a program of Keep America Beautiful, by organizing a special event.
- Hold a club yard sale to repurpose gently used items and donate the proceeds to various environmental charities.
HEALTH and WELLNESS COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAM – The human body, mind, and spirit comprise our health and wellness. To improve our wellbeing, we must address three key components: nutrition, disease prevention, and physical and emotional care. This Community Service Program aims to explore the various opportunities for awareness and advancement of each of these vital areas. Project Ideas:
- Provide “Physical” Funding of Mental Health Programs and Educate, advocate, and/or donate during Mental Health Awareness month in May.
- Sponsor a National Wear Red Day celebrations Feb. 5, 2021 and Feb. 4, 2022
- Recognize National Immunization Awareness Month in August.
- Hold a “Healthy Food Drive,” requesting donors to contribute nutritious foods from Feeding America’s Healthy Food Donation List.
- Start an Eat Smart for a Healthy Heart program with cooking demos and tastings.
- Establish a school OR community garden or expand an existing school garden to provide fresh and nutritious produce for local soup kitchens and food pantries.
- Support and/or sponsor immunization programs at home and abroad. (Shot@Life is a resource)
- Host a community event and taste testing that provides healthy recipes & handouts on nutrition
(Easter Seals, UNICEF, Operation Smile and Shot@ Life are good resources)
Karen Throckmorton, GFWC-NC 1st Vice President & Pam Mediano, GFWC-NC Dean of Junior CSPs