Hello, RJWC Members! 

Welcome to a new year with the Ruskin Junior Woman’s Club.  I hope everyone is excited about the 2008 – 2009 year.  Our theme for this year is BE THE DIFFERENCE… a simple, yet powerful statement.  As members of the RJWC, our goal is to give back and to make our mark within the Southshore community as well as our state, our country and our world!

Our first board meeting was in August and it was then we put dates on all events, tossed around ideas to improve traditional projects and merged on a common goal and mission for the next two years that we are in office.  Our primary focus will always be to BE THE DIFFERENCE in the community in which we live and raise our children.  Of course our secondary focus is to our state, national and international worlds.

The Officers have recognized the need for someone specifically to communicate to the local media outlets about our good works in the community.  Therefore, a Public Relations Chair (press releases, etc) was suggested.   This is a very important position because the more we are in the eyes of our community, the more women we could reach - to eventually bring them in to our club and give them an opportunity to volunteer.  Our current Treasurer, Amber Council was appointed to be the PR Chair and we all agree she will be perfect for this. 

Another appointed position within the club is Historian.  This woman is very important as she will preserve this year in a scrapbook and by photographing all event.  In Sept. ’09, we will take the completed scrapbook to Fall Board and enter it in the state scrapbook contest!  Krystal Selke has eagerly agreed to be the creative scrapbooker for our club.  Please note that all newspaper articles with club members or any pictures taken during events need to be turned in to Krstal to ensure we get complete coverage of the year!  She plans on making our scrapbooks digitally which is very exciting as they will be more sustainable through the years.

This year we have changed the name of our hospitality committee to The Sunshine Club.  A big ‘thank you’ goes to Krystal Selke for graciously offering to lead this very important committee in our club.  The Sunshine Club will be responsible for sending cards or flowers to members that are ill, members that have achieved something great, members that have just had a baby, members that have lost a loved one, etc. The list could go on and on.  I’m so excited about the Sunshine Club and I just know that when our members need it most, they will feel a great big hug from their girlfriends in the RJWC.  If you are interested in helping with this outreach, please contact Krystal at selkefamily@tampabay.rr.com.

The officers have refreshed some of the annual events and will be giving our monthly meetings a makeover.  In doing this, our hope is to encourage greater participation among current members and to grow our membership altogether by our monthly meetings being informative and FUN, yet efficient and organized.  It goes without saying that our projects will be enjoyable and lasting friendships will be built, all while remaining focused with our mission in mind.

It is vital to the heart of RJWC for participation, at some level, of each member.  There is strength in numbers and to have a successful year and to maximize our impact on our community, we need everyone to contribute in some way.  Therefore, we ask all members to “be the difference” by volunteering and participating.  Attendance to monthly meetings is strongly encouraged.

Of course the officers are always open to hearing any new ideas, fundraising suggestions or community projects that we can look to support.  If you have something in mind, please fill out the SPECIAL PROJECT REQUEST form, (located on the links and forms page of webstie)  turn it in to cjonesafa@aol.com and it will be addressed at the next meeting.

Going Green is also a big part of our promise to “be the difference”. No more paper adjenda's, we will have an erase board at the meetings.   You will be able to print all forms necessary for you to bring to the club regarding new projects requests, new membership forms, and sign up sheets.  Emails will be our largest line of communications.   

Thank you all for giving me this opportunity to serve you as President, I hope that with all your support we can make a difference in our community.  We are "Really Cool Chicks"! 

Carolyn Jones