Newsletter December 2023

 

The Annual Business meeting includes highlights of the year for both WPF and WPFF,  Board of Directors elections for both WPF and WPFF, and special recognitions.  A short program will follow.

WPF Nominees for 2024 Board of Directors &Committees

President Erica Parker

President Elect Lorri Yaskiewicz

1st Vice President Jasmine Beard

2nd Vice President Jennifer Mencarini

Treasurer Leigh Ann Klee

Secretary Marlee Foster

Director at Large Ashley Raper

Director at Large Kate Panzer

Membership Committee Chair Laura Burton

Membership Committee Chair Elect Marcy McHenry

Membership Committee Member Jill Duffield

Programs Committee Chair Lisa Dames Hazlett

Programs Committee Chair Elect Mebane Ham

Programs Committee Member Corinne Auman

Nominating Committee Member Jeannine Falcon

Nominating Committee Member Meryl Mullane

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WPF Foundation Proposed Slate for 2024 Board of Directors

WPFF Board will meet immediately after the WPF Business meeting at SFCC to elect Board officers.

Proposed Member Class Year

Amy Meinecke 2026

Chandra Hackenbruch 2026

Christie Soper 2026

Beth Fisher 2026

Laura Burton 2026

Maria Hanlin 2026

 

WPF Board will call for a vote to approve a set of amended and restated bylaws

The notion of amending the Bylaws came up in 2022 in connection with a reconsideration of the duties of the Secretary, given the organization’s engaging an administrative assistant. WPF’s Bylaws were first approved by the membership in January 1982 and have been amended 10 times thereafter in various ways. Much has changed since 1982. The North Carolina Nonprofit Corporation Act has been amended and electronic transactions have become a way of life. Although the Bylaws could have been amended simply to address the question of the Secretary’s duties, scrutiny of the Bylaws showed that a greater overhaul was warranted than merely making that one change and perhaps correcting typos.

The following describes the more significant items set forth in the proposed amended and restated Bylaws that do not appear in the current Bylaws or are dealt with in a different or more comprehensive manner:

• The name of the organization has been corrected. “Inc.” has never been part of the name of WPF. The name is set out in the WPF articles of incorporation. The Bylaws should conform to the articles.

• The statement of purpose has been deleted. The statement of purpose already appears in the WPF articles of incorporation. It need not be repeated.

• Clarified that membership in WPF is open only to women.

• Clarified that “greater Greensboro area” means Guilford County. This change or clarification was previously adopted in the Policies and Procedures.

• Added that Supporting members may not sponsor new members. This has been the practice and is set out in the Policies and Procedures. The Policies and Procedures may not override the Bylaws and hence this change is necessary.

• Added provisions about electronic transactions, voting by written ballot, electronic voting, and remote meetings.

• Included provisions for proxy voting, which is already permitted to WPF members because neither the articles of incorporation nor the current Bylaws disallow it.

• Added clarification about who is on the Board of Directors, including who is elected by the members versus those serving in an ex officio capacity, and what other persons are elected by the members to various positions, notably membership, programs and nominating committee positions.

• Added standard conflict of interest language.

• Expanded the indemnification provisions.

WPF FOUNDATION NEWS

A Message from Jean Pudlo, WPFF President Kim Eder

From Kim Eder, WPF Foundation President

Wow, this year has gone by so fast and it’s already December!  As you start to wrap up 2023, perhaps you are wondering if you’ve made your gift to the WPF Foundation this year.  I know it can be hard to keep up with since so many of you give faithfully every year and some days it all blends together.  Currently our year to date 2023 donations are significantly behind 2022 and behind plan.  I hope that’s simply because December snuck up on many of us. If you would like to confirm if you have given, please fill free to e-mail wpffoundation@gmail.com and we can let you know.

If you have given this year, we thank you so very much!  If you have not yet given or have the capacity to increase your gift, the Foundation needs your support now more than ever.  We cannot reach our grant award goals for 2024 and beyond without it.

I would also like to take a moment to thank the Foundation Board for a tremendous year.  I have been honored to serve as President of this great organization.  I would like to also thank two of my fellow board members, Jean Pudlo and Susan Russell who are also completing their second term and will be rolling off the board at the end of the year.  It has been a pleasure to serve with you and I can attest that you’ve made a significant positive impact on our Foundation.

The Foundation has accomplished a lot this year, but our proudest accomplishment is our grant awards.  As I said, no grant is given without the generous support of our members.  Your generosity has made the following 2023 grant awards possible.

2023 GRANT RECIPIENTS

• The Beloved Community Center – Sharing the Light $6500 A program that will train the next generation of women leaders in social justice advocacy.

• Journey Adult Day Center $5,000 for a summer program for 8th and 9th grade girls to highlight careers in healthcare and entrepreneurship.

• NCCJ Anytown $2400 for 2 scholarships for young women to attend their Anytown leadership program.

• Sudan House $3500 for their Workforce Development and Job Readiness program for immigrant and refugee women.

• UNCG Center for New North Carolinians $2500 for their Umoja Women’s Initiative to offer leadership development to refugee women.

• Sister Circle International $3500 for the She Works & Wins Program to train underserved women for job readiness.

• Fuerza Latina Unida $4800 for their Mujerex Liderando (Women’s Leadership) program for Latinx women to develop leadership to create systemic change in their communities.

I wish all my sisters a very Happy Holiday season.  May you find joy, peace, and family in plentiful supply.