Our March newsletter features the latest updates on Club activities:
Spring into Action - March 6th Meeting
Bylaws Revisions Approved
Poggio Leona Wine & Olive Oil Tasting
Calling all Book Lovers *
Rising Stars & Guiding Lights
News Bites
Upcoming Events
Thursday 3/27 1 PM- 2:30 PM *BOOK CLUB organizational meeting
Thursday 4/3 10:30 AM- 1 PM APRIL MEETING Board slate/nominations
Friday, 4/25 12 PM - 5 PM SHOP-A-RITA DAY COZZENA shopping spree
Wednesday 5/7 5PM- 8 PM 4TH ANNUAL COCKTAILS FOR A CAUSE
Spring into Action!
DPWC's March meeting featured Orange County United Way's Taylor Montano, Director of Operations, United for Financial Security. Taylor provided interesting statistics affirming our Club's support for United Way's highly successful SparkPoint Program - a financial literacy program featuring one on one counseling of couples and individuals, helping them find and maintain financial security.
Although South Orange County is an affluent area, many of our hard-working community members live at or below the poverty line. This program assists them in balancing their budgets, reducing debt, increasing revenue, and in some cases, creating a small savings account for the first time. DPWC's annual Cocktails for a Cause fundraisers have yielded over $32,000 for SparkPoint since FY 21/22. On May 7th, our 4th annual Cocktails for a Cause will benefit both the traditional SparkPoint Program for South Orange County, and a brand new SparkPoint Program that will be targeting survivors of exploitation.
Thank you to our many members who helped with set up and clean up for this very informative meeting!
Bylaws Revisions Approved
Over 70% of DPWC members voted electronically, by email, USPS mail or in person at the March 6th meeting, with the majority approving the Bylaws revisions unanimously approved and recommended by DPWC's Board. Members voted to resign from our long association with the General and California Federations of Women's Clubs after weighing the costs and benefits for our present entity, a separate 501 (c) (3) corporation which has grown and changed considerably from the small unincorporated association that was formed under GFWC's umbrella in 1951. As stated in the resignation letters, DPWC "will, of course, continue to graciously cooperate with GFWC, CFWC, the Orange District and individual women's clubs, and sincerely wish them well. "
A number of housekeeping revisions, including formalizing the Community House Facilities and Rentals Directors as two separate positions, simplifying the proration of new members' dues, and increasing Community House prudent reserves to $25,000 from $10,000 were also approved. The revised Bylaws have been updated on our website and can be viewed HERE.
Poggio Leona Wine & Olive Oil Tasting
A sold-out crowd enjoyed a lovely wine and olive oil tasting event, courtesy of Temecula winery, Poggio Leona. According to members, the evening was informative and delicious, and several signed up for the winery's travel club featuring access to the family's delightful Sicilian villa. View more photos and comments on our Facebook Page.
Calling All Book Lovers!
New member Karen Lamie introduced a wonderful new idea at our April meeting -- DPWC's very own book club!  Please join Karen and a fun group of literary members for an informational meeting on Thursday March 27th to figure out all the how's, when's and what books, not to mention snacks and drinks for what promises to be a very popular new club within our Club.
Look for your Punchbowl invitation and reminders. Be sure to indicate via message if you are interested in attending future meetings, even if you can't attend the information session.
Rising Stars and Guiding Lights
This section features our new members, "Rising Stars," and our seasoned members, "Guiding Lights". Please read the brief bios below and get to know some of the amazing women in our midst. Thank you to Membership Chair Pearl Zimmerman, editor of this section of the newsletter.
Guiding Light Carol Kelly has lived in Dana Point for 33 years. She has a daughter and 3 stepchildren, all living back East.
Carol has been a longtime advocate in Southern California. She has worked for Orange County in charge of senior job programs, helping place people 55 years old and older; on the Commission on the Status of Women advocating for legislation regarding childcare and other women's issues, as well as in media publicity. Carol joined DPWC in 2019, recruited by Betty Hill, our Scholarship Chair. Carol started as the DPWC Corresponding Secretary in 2021 and has served as our Recording Secretary since 2022. She has treasured seeing DPWC grow from 20, to now 106 members strong. Carol especially enjoys "meeting members at the sign in desk and giving to all our charities. And the fellowship is so important too."
Rising Star Jennifer Keil has lived in South Orange County since attending UC Irvine and CSUF where she earned a master’s degree in history. She and her sister have owned "70°", a historical consulting business, for over ten years. According to the National Archives, 70° Fahrenheit is the optimal temperature for the preservation of artifacts in exhibition spaces. Jennifer has worked on digitizing Southwest records by partnering with universities, museums and networks like the Southwest Oral History Association where she served as President. She especially enjoys the storytelling aspect of her work. Jennifer is an arts ambassador for Dana Point and organizes the annual trolley tour. She joined DPWC because she is "impressed with the variety of programs, the news recap of events, and how it supports education."
Rising Star Susan Chase moved to the Laguna Niguel/Dana Point area in 1988. Her three kids attended Dana Hills High School. Susan is blessed to have one of her sons in Aliso Viejo, another son and one daughter in LA, plus four precious grandchildren. Last year was a very special year as Susan got married in July. Working full time as a realtor with Compass has been her favorite job, as it involves both interior design and helping people find the perfect home. Susan enjoys traveling, golf, good restaurants, and time with her family. She joined DPWC to make new friends, be more involved in her community, and help with charity events. Susan has jumped right in and is already helping to support our upcoming Cocktails with a Cause event
News Bites
Board nominations for FY 24/25
It's time to consider if you'd like to join DPWC's Board for a rewarding chance to become more involved in day-to-day Club planning, administration and policies. This year, the positions of President, Treasurer, Ways & Means Director, Recording Secretary and Community House Rentals Director will be open. Members (including incumbents) may nominate themselves or others at our April 3rd meeting. A nominating committee has been appointed by the Board in accordance with our By-Laws and will include Chair Monique Wolff, and Board member Judy Amiano and Deborah Hartman. They will be actively recruiting and will present a nomination slate to the membership at our April meeting in advance of our May vote. Should you be interested in any of these positions, please contact Monique Wolff for more information.
Auction Baskets, Raffle Prizes and Wine Needed!
Our intrepid Ways & Means Chair, Marla Freeman, is hard at work to make our 4th annual Cocktails for a Cause a smashing success! She needs all hands on deck.
How can you help?
Solicit an item or gift certificate from your favorite merchants - florist, restaurants, beauty services, retailers, etc.
Purchase and/or procure items to create your own beautiful, themed basket or raffle prize
Donate bottles of wine for our wine pull (value $20 or more each)
Consider donating a trip to your vacation home, a cruise on your boat, or special talents (homemade cookies once a month, floral or interior design services, lessons, etc.) as a live or silent auction item
Make a donation to be used to purchase items to flesh out a basket or purchase ribbon, cellophane and baskets
Attend the fundraiser and bring your significant other, friends and neighbors
If you can't attend, consider one of the ideas above, or donate your time, money or talents to the cause!
Please plan to bring all your items to our April 3rd meeting. Contact Marla Freeman if you'd like to be an event sponsor, help solicit or wrap auction gifts and/or help plan this fun event. Please reach out to Marla for questions and let her know how you can help!
Upcoming Events
Register for upcoming events on our website HERE or use the specific links below:
Thursday April 3 10:30 AM to 1 PM - APRIL MEETING
Come at 10:30 for half an hour of socializing before the meeting
Hear about a potential new philanthropy - Miracles for Kids
Presentation of Board Slate and Nominations from the floor
Bring a $60 check for membership renewal if you haven't already done so
Bring auction baskets, wine pull donations or raffle items for Cocktails for a Cause
Register HERE
Friday April 25, 12 PM to 5 PM - "SHOP-A-RITA" DAY
Wednesday May 7, 5 PM to 8 PM 4th ANNUAL COCKTAILS FOR A CAUSE
Register now for our major annual fundraiser supporting Orange County United Way's SparkPoint program in South Orange County along with its brand new SparkPoint program for Survivors of Exploitation. Bring your significant other, friends and family to enjoy a nonstop event including a welcome champagne toast, passed hors d'oeuvres and delicious dinner. Peruse our silent auction, raffle prizes and try your luck at our energetic live auction and fun wine pull. Hope to see you there! Register HERE.
Save the Dates
Thursday May 1st 4:30 to 7 PM May Scholarship Meeting
Thursday June 5th 10:30 AM to 1 PM Annual Meeting
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