VWC General Meeting Sunday, March 25th

Come, Bring a Friend, Enjoy!

The VWC General Meeting is a time of friendship and celebration. It is great people sharing wonderful food, information and inspiration.

Please plan to come on Sunday, March 25, 11:30 a.m., to the Highlands Park Senior Center with a dish to share, and look forward to meeting several of your governmental representatives. Congress Member Anna Eshoo, State Senator Joe Simitian, Assembly Member Bill Monning and Supervisor Mark Stone have all been invited to attend. You’ll be updated on the VWC’s accomplishments, and hear some exciting news! See you there!!

Job Announcement: Managing Director of SLV Redemption/Recycling Centers

Nancy Macy Retiring as Director of Recycling

The Valley Women’s Club Board of Directors is seeking a Managing Director to oversee staff and operations at the VWC’s three redemption/recycling centers and to support the Board in establishing and administering mission-based organizational goals and initiatives. With founding Director of Recycling, Nancy Macy, retiring this summer, the carefully planned search has reached the stage of requesting applications for the new position. VWC Board Members Nancy Gerdt, Dixie Mitchell-Clow, Michele Mosher and Donna Ziel, Recycling Director Nancy Macy, and VWC member, Mary Jo Walker (Auditor/Controller for Santa Cruz County), have worked for 18 months to prepare for a smooth transition. Their research, dedication and planning have resulted in a thoughtful process to find a good person to undertake the job.

“I am looking forward to retiring,” Nancy says, “but the friendships and relationships that I have formed while operating the Centers for the VWC are beyond value, and will continue to be an important part of my life.”

Completed applications must be received online by 5:00 p.m. on March 26. The Job Announcement, Application instructions, and a complete job description are availablehere.

A Fond Farewell and A Welcome

It’s always hard when someone leaves the VWC Board. Those remaining have a profound understanding of the caring and talent – and work – that each Board Member contributes to the VWC. This year, past-President Vince Waskell, and Board Member Jody Bruce have taken their leave. Vince has the delight of spending more time with those amazing grandchildren, and Jodi’s dedication to her kindergarten students and school activities is demanding more of her time. Both will remain active in other areas for the VWC.

Vince was one of the earliest members of the Valley Women’s Club, involved in many aspects of the Club from the Board and the Faire, to the Education Committee and its Kindergarten school readiness project, and Jody’s long membership brought recipes to the 1991 VWC Cook Book, regular help with events, her work on the Board, and many important insights into our schools and their needs. Our deepest thanks to Vince and Jody, and best wishes!

And THEN, a wonderful new Board Member is elected and helps fill the gap. Felton resident, Paul Machlis, has joined the Board this January, and is already working hard on the changes the Newsletter will need to be offered digitally and with the Fund Development Committee. Paul is a leader of Felton Library Friends, and was active in Felton FLOW. We can all be grateful to have his involvement in the VWC. Welcome, Paul!

Board Retreat

Planning for a Strong VWC

The VWC Board will concentrate on planning for the VWC’s future at its Retreat on March 13 at Camp Joy. Along with tying up plans for the transition to a new Managing Director for the recycling centers, there will be a focus on how the VWC can possibly benefit the community directly by providing resources in a new way, a focus of the Fund Development Committee. We will keep you posted as plans are finalized.

VWC Upgrading Its Website and Newsletter

by Paul Machlis

Over the course of the next year, the VWC will be making improvements to its website and its communications to members and the public. We intend the new website to incorporate all of the features members now enjoy plus a host of features that will make the VWC site an even better source of information about the issues and projects dear to the Club and its Mission.

The VWC is investigating the process of slowly moving from a quarterly print newsletter to a monthly e-newsletter, or possibly maintaining both print and online formats. There are many reasons why the VWC might wish to follow many other organizations in issuing more frequent e-newsletters that link to what will be an improved web site. An e-newsletter will help the Club reach out to younger Valley residents who now expect communications through their computers, phones, and iPads. The cost of issuing the print newsletter, as well as the environmental advantages of an e-newsletter, are also considerations. We invite you to contact members of the Board concerning this matter, if you have suggestions or concerns.