Our journey is only beginning but the excitement is building as we anticipate the announcement of the 2008-2010 State Project. The State Project Investigating Committee had the task of narrowing the projects to three from the many projects that were submitted by the members for consideration. Three projects, The New Jersey Center for Outreach and Services for the Autism Community (COSAC), Ronald McDonald Houses of Southern NJ and Central NJ and Safe Kids-New Jersey were submitted to you for a vote. The results are in and it is my honor to announce that COSAC has been selected as this administrations State Project. Joining us this evening from COSAC is Ellen Schisler, Director of Development, and Brynn Alberici, Coordinator of Special Events. Will you please stand and be recognized?
Each club present at this Convention is encouraged to send a representative to the State Project Workshop tomorrow morning beginning at 8 AM to hear Ellen and Brynn describe the preliminary information and plans to kickoff this project We can only imagine the impact that our clubs will have on the 87,000 New Jersey residents and their families who are affected by the developmental disorder, Autism, during this two year project.
When we start out on a trip, most often, we leave from our home. However, as Members of the NJSFWC, you also have a second home, our beautiful Headquarters Building in New Brunswick. Just like any home, it is the hub of activity for our federation family and a building that needs care and maintenance each year. We are very spoiled in this state to have such a headquarters building and take it for granted that every state federation does. Not true. If you have never had the opportunity to visit your Federation Home, mark your Calendars for November 13, 2008 and plan to attend the Open House. During the 2006-2008 administration, the HQ Foundation Fund was the fundraising part of the State Project and the 505 project met with great success. But we must still continue to insure the coverage of the care and land rent of the building as we move forward. The 1894 Society was begun in 2002 in an effort to financially support the land rent that the Federation pays to Rutgers University. For membership in the 1894 Society, contributions are accepted in any combination of 1894, the year that the Federation was founded. You may donate $18.94, $189.49 or $1,894.00. This past year, 50 clubs and 44 individuals contributed to this fund and we are very grateful for their annual participation. During this administration, this President challenges more clubs and individual members to join the 1894 Society because the goal would be to raise $8500 which is half of the annual land rent. The search is on to locate a group or individual who will match the $8500 if the clubs and individual members meet their challenge. By achieving this challenging goal, the land rent will be covered.
We continually come back and are reminded of the vision of this organization. – to provide structure and support to our clubs in their pursuits. The members of the Board of Directors that you have elected today are here to support the clubs throughout the State in their work. Questions, concerns, success stories, achievements, we are here to listen and support each club. Each officer of the NJSFWC is a member of a local club. Just like you, we attend club business meetings, we work on community projects that touch lives, we are involved in the running and supporting of fundraisers that impact others, we support each other and we have fun together. We are all clubwomen with a passion….a passion to serve. As I was thinking of a theme, I wanted it to be something that was catchy, easy to remember and exemplify the feelings that we have for the work that we do. The theme for this administration will be “Igniting the Passion to Serve.”
This two year journey for all of us has just begun. I hope that you feel the excitement that is in the air and can transfer these feelings when you return home to your clubs. Thank you for your trust and I will always work to represent you well. There are many miles to cover in these two years…but come along…it will be a great adventure.
