Did you know that at the GFWC International Convention in Chicago this month???
New Jersey's very own
Kathy Ferrara was elected to be the GFWC Director Elect of Junior Clubs!!!
AND
Mary Ellen Brock was elected to be GFWC Treasurer!!!
for the 2008-2010 GFWC Administration
WAY TO GO JERSEY GIRLS!!!!
We are so proud of you!
Christopher & the JM
Inaugural Address May 2008 Christopher Anne Dunyak
What an honor and a privilege to represent you as the Director of Junior Clubs.This is the beginning of a very exciting time for my family and friends too.I am truly pleased to introduce some special people who have come to share tonight’s experience and festivities with us.First, I would like to recognize the clubs of the Garden District.And would the members of my home club please stand to be recognized?Without their support, I would not be here today.I would like to introduce my friends and colleagues from work, Valerie Schlitt and Dolores McMullen who drove up from Haddonfield to be here with me tonight.My brother, Burry Mervine, trekked from the city – remember I am from the south, so that city is Philadelphia.My Aunt, Anne Englehardt, who has been that special aunt – you know the one who gets you the cool Jordache jeans in junior high.My mother and father-in-law, Nick and Jacquie Dunyak came all the way from Florida to be here today.My father, Thomas Mervine and my mother Deborah Mervine, who is a past Jersey Junior, current EMD member and is the one that “made” me go to my first Junior meeting almost twelve years ago.And also here tonight are my daughters, Jillian (she’s 12) and Talia (14) who both turned down some cool social events to be here tonight and have grown up with Juniors (as I expect most of your kids have!).And my husband, Chris (yes, I know I married a Christopher) whose love and constant support have been such a blessing and gift to me.I am truly grateful for his generous heart and his understanding of the true gift that Juniors brings to our lives.
As I sat down to think about what I should say tonight, I realized – I do not really enjoying speaking in front of groups and generally, I don’t think it is one of my strengths.So, you might ask me, how did this happen that I would be standing here speaking in front of this amazing group of Juniors? Well, Juniors is a huge part of my history, present and of course my future.Ok, I guess I should give you some background here.As for my history, my great grandmother (on my mother’s side) was president of her Woman’s Club in the 1950’s, my grandmother (on my father’s side) was an active member of her Woman’s Club and actually earned her 50 year pin last year.My mother is not only a former Junior, but also a past two time chairman of her Evening Membership Department of her Woman’s Club.And my two daughters are now new members of a juniorette club.So, if any of you were counting that was five generations of GFWC Clubwomen.I wonder if my grandmother and great grandmother knew that what they started over 50 years ago would foster in their daughters, granddaughters and even great-great-granddaughters a love of volunteering. I sure look forward to watching my daughters and maybe some granddaughters continue this history!
Check out the Director Of Junior Clubs own page for more!
Like what you have been reading above? Click on the link to the right to read JM Director, Christopher Dunyak's complete inaugural address!
GFWC members, in 6,500 clubs in the United States and in more than 20 countries, benefit from belonging to a network of socially conscious. Members of the GFWC are united by a dedication to community involvement through volunteer service. Through their affiliation with GFWC and the New Jersey State Federation of Women’s Clubs, local clubs are provided with leadership tools and networking opportunities that empower their members to improve their communities while forming lasting bonds with other women.
Membership in the New Jersey State Federation of Women’s Clubs - Junior Membership includes women ages 18-40. The Juniorettes are made up of young women, ages 12-18. Contact us at membership@jerseyjuniors.com and find out how you can join us.
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