GWC 3rd Quarterly Meeting, “Back by Popular Demand: The Penguin Project”, at Church of the Resurrection, August 28, 2018

Greenwood Women Care conducted our 3rd Quarterly Meeting on Tuesday, August 28th, at the Church of the Resurrection.  Approximately 60 members and guests enjoyed a reception along with an inspirational and informative agenda.

Sara Kummer welcomed us to the Church of the Resurrection and Rhonda Merritt introduced our program speakers. (Sara and Rhonda serve on GWC’s Programs and Education Committee.) Stephen Gilbert, Executive Director of the Greenwood Community Theatre (GCT), shared with us the impetus for establishing The Penguin Project at GCT. The Penguin Project is a nationwide program that engages actors with special needs and peer mentors in a full-length theatre production.  GCT is the only site offering The Penguin Project in the state, and one of the first in this region. Stephen then introduced Lacy Gunter, the mother of last year’s youngest Penguin, who described the positive impact The Penguin Project has had on her daughter, their family, and the local special needs community.

We then turned our attention to the GWC Grants Review and Awards Committee.  Trish Hartung described the work of the Grants Committee over the past months, resulting in GWC grant guidelines, grant application form, and review and voting processes.  Laura Bachinski discussed our grant application and Nadine Gilchrist informed GWC members about materials that will assist us in our voting process in February. Mary Woodiwiss, convener of the Grants Committee, fielded questions from members.  Summer Booker, convener of the Membership Committee, concluded the program by thanking our speakers for their presentations and our members and guests for their attendance, reminding us that memberships for 2019 may be renewed between now and December 31st, and encouraging us to continue to spread the good news about GWC.

GWC 2nd Quarterly Meeting, “Offering Hope: Services for Women and Children in Crisis”, at The Arts Center, May 15, 2018

Our second GWC community meeting was held on Tuesday, May 15, at The Arts Center. Following a social time, we moved to our program, “Offering Hope: Services for Women and Children in Crisis”, featuring Alice Hodges of Meg’s House and Cathy Miller of Beyond Abuse. Many of our members and numerous guests attended, numbering around 70.

 

GWC Charter Member Celebration at Wesley Commons, April 30, 2018

GWC Charter Members celebrated at a special evening event on Monday, April 30, hosted by Wesley Commons at their new outdoor pavilion.

GWC is delighted to have 104 Charter Members in our very first months of membership! GWC is an open membership organization and community-minded women may join at any time. All interested women are invited to attend our Quarterly Meetings and Socials and to consider becoming a part of GWC to “learn, give, and grow” together. Our first GWC Grants will be awarded in early 2019.


GWC Inaugural Quarterly Meeting at The Museum, February 20, 2018

It was exciting to see so many women at our first Greenwood Women Care Quarterly Meeting on Tuesday, February 20, at The Museum! We enjoyed a lively reception and informative program. Teresa Goodman (Executive Director, Community Initiatives) spoke about nonprofit social services and motivations for community service and Anne Craig (Executive Director, Arts Council of Greenwood County) informed us about opportunities for involvement in arts and culture in Greenwood County. Megha Lal and Mary Woodiwiss (GWC Steering Committee members) addressed the gathering about the values, impetus, and structure of this initiative.

Approximately 90 women attended, numbered evenly among guests and members. Since this first GWC community meeting, many of our guests have joined GWC!