 Public Issues
Marie Aquilino
413-596-3966
Click here for the GFWC Public Issues Community Service Program from the 2012-2014 GFWC Club Manual.
Click here for the Public Issues Information Please pages.
Click here for the Public Issues Report Cover Sheet.
Check out our "Support Our Troops" page.
GFWC Partners are organizations with whom GFWC has a formal relationship and mutual understanding. These partners offer special services, like materials, speakers, kits, and/or additional information specifically designed for GFWC clubs. They are aware of GFWC clubs’ specific needs, our organizational structure, and have a signed Memorandum of Understanding with GFWC.
Kettering Foundation, www.Kettering.org
The Kettering Foundation focuses on what makes democracy work. It research is focused on the individual and how organizations in the community relate to the individual. Not only are they looking for donations from GFWC clubs, they would like us to host issue forums in our communities.
Sew Much Comfort, www.SewMuchComfort.org
Sew Much Comfort provides adaptive clothing for injured veterans. Clubs can collect clothing, donate money, or sew for this organization.
United Service Organizations (USO), www.USO.org
The USO has a number of programs for military personnel. These include Operation Phone Home, United through Reading, USO2GO, and Warrior and Family Centers. You can contact your local USO group to see where your club may help local military personnel and their families.
GFWC Community Service Projects, formerly known as Collaborations, are programs and projects that club members create to serve their communities. They do not include projects that relate to GFWC partners. Under this section, the programs and projects can involve other community members and organizations, as well as club members. These projects can include voter registration drives, supporting local veterans who are staying in veterans’ hospitals, working with school children to promote bicycle safety, or visiting a local police or fire station and discovering what support they may need. Whatever your club does, be sure to document it, so that you can write concise reports for GFWC.
Some suggestions:
Stars for Veterans is a project that those who attended our 2013 Annual Conference participated in. We cut the embroidered stars from U.S. flags due to be retired and put them in small zippered plastic bags along with this insert. These stars should be delivered to VA hospitals, VFW's, or other places where veterans will likely visit. It is suggested that you place the star packets in a bowl with this sign displayed in a 5" x 7" acrylic or other frame.
The National Veterans Creative Arts Festival will be held on October 8-14, 2012, at the Cutler Majestic Theater, 219 Tremont Street, Boston. This festival showcases artistic achievements of Veterans from across the country in art, music, dance, drama, and creative writing. Volunteers are needed to help with registration, art exhibits, workshops, hospitality, and invitations/tickets. Go to www.CreativeArtsFestival.va.gov for more information.
With the number of weather related emergencies in Massachusetts in 2011, many people are thinking about how to prepare for the next emergency. See www.Ready.gov for information on making an emergency plan, assembling an emergency kit, and involving your community in emergency preparedness.
The National Crime Prevention Council is a leader in helping keep individuals, families, and communities safe from crime. To achieve this, NCPC produces tools that communities can use to learn crime prevention strategies, engage community members, and coordinate with local agencies. One area of focus is school safety. Partner with your school’s PTO to create a school safety program for kids in your community. Go to www.NCPC.org/topics/school-safety for ideas.
Conduct a voter registration drive to promote civic involvement among all citizens in your community. Go to www.VoteSmart.org/elections/voter-registration/MA for tips on how to get this kind of project off the ground.
Support local veterans’ hospitals and charities. For general information on the hospitals, charities, and veterans’ organizations in your area, look at the following government websites:
www.Mass.gov/veterans
www.Sec.State.ma.us/cis/cisvet/vetwomen.htm
www.Boston.va.gov
www.Bedford.va.gov
www.CentralWesternMass.va.gov
The following organizations address veteran housing issues:
Veterans Inc. is a national leader in ending homelessness among veterans. It has one of the highest rates in the nation – 85% – for transitioning veterans out of homelessness. Headquartered in Massachusetts, Veterans Inc. is the largest provider of services to veterans and their families in New England. Since 1991, Veterans Inc. has helped more than 40,000 veterans and their families. See www.VeteransInc.org.
The New England Center for Homeless Veterans (NECHV), www.NECHV.org, is a multi-dimension service and care provider dedicated to assisting Veterans who are facing or at-risk of homelessness. The Center offers a broad array of programs and services that enable success, reintegration, meaningful employment and independent living.
A Taunton, MA, organization, Homes for Our Troops, builds specially adapted homes for severely injured veterans. To find out how you can support this organization, go to www.HomesforOurTroops.org.
And if none of the above listed ideas inspire you, go to www.PublicAgenda.com. Public Agenda is an innovative public opinion research and public engagement organization, which works to strengthen our democracy's capacity to tackle tough public policy issues. It is nonpartisan and nonprofit. It provides tools for you and your community members to engage in effective civic discourse about difficult public policy issues. At this website, you will find information on topics ranging from schools, crime, immigration, and science.
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