Mission: The Valley Women’s Club is dedicated to community action, awareness and leadership in environmental, educational, social, and political concerns that affect the health and welfare of the San Lorenzo Valley and our community.
Mission: The Valley Women’s Club is dedicated to community action, awareness and leadership in environmental, educational, social, and political concerns that affect the health and welfare of the San Lorenzo Valley and our community.
Board NewsSpring 2009 Hammer-Marcum Award Afternoon Dessert Celebration May 3rd 
The "San Lorenzo Valley Volunteer Award" was just a ruse to honor Mary Hammer and Annette Marcum for their years of community service—it was a real surprise for both of them! It only happens every other year, and it is one of the most anticipated events in the SLV. The Hammer-Marcum Award has honored extraordinary local volunteers nominated from every part of the community. The recipients of this year’s Hammer-Marcum Award will be feted at an Afternoon Celebration at the Highlands Park Senior Center on Sunday, May 3rd. Among the notables paying tribute to this year’s guests of honor will be Congresswoman Anna Eshoo, D-Palo Alto. The Hammer-Marcum Award was created in 1987 to honor two extraordinary SLV activists: Mary Hammer and Annette Marcum, who even then had contributed thousands of hours of creative commitment to our community. First called, “The San Lorenzo Valley Volunteer Award,” the Award was then named for them. The Hammer-Marcum Award honors people who have made outstanding contributions to the San Lorenzo Valley through action and leadership in environmental, educational, social and/or political concerns which affect the health and welfare of our community. Since that first award ceremony, there have been 41 very deserving recipients: Past of Recipients of Hammer-Marcum Award: YOU CAN NOMINATE SOMEONE RIGHT AWAY, CLICK HERE FOR NOMINATION FORM!! Remember, the more detailed information about the person and her/his efforts, the better chance that person will be selected! So start now to gather information. Nominations are due NO LATER THAN Saturday, April 4, and may be mailed to the VWC, PO Box 574, Ben Lomond, CA 95005, or delivered to The Blind Pilot Jewelers in Boulder Creek. More details and criteria may be found on the Nomination Form. (Or call Nancy at 338-6578.)
General Meeting Shines on Rainy Day Over 70 people attended the VWC’s Annual General Membership Meeting in spite of a morning of rainy downpours. Guitar music and song by Michael Renwick greeted the attendees as they walked in to smiles and conversation, displays of VWC committees, camellias and daphne flowers, and tables with platters of delicious food. As the meal progressed, the program began with greetings and introductions by President Nancy Gerdt. Along with members new and old, numerous community notables were in attendance. These included Superior Court Judge Ariadne (Ari) Symons, Sheriff Lieutenant Paul Wowak (now awaiting confirmation as County Sheriff), County Controller MaryJo Walker, and elected officials (who later spoke and answered questions) Supervisor Mark Stone, State Senator Joe Simitian, and, for Assemblymember Bill Monning, Ali Spickler. Committee Chairs reported on recent accomplishments and upcoming activities, bringing attendees up-to-date on Women’s Issues, Education, Community Connections, and the Recycling Centers. Most were full of good news, except the financial struggles of the recycling centers due to the plunging scrap values and cuts in County funding. Ali Spickler spoke briefly for our new Assembly Member Bill Monning, who recently met with VWC Board Members Nancy Gerdt, Michele Mosher and Dixie Mitchell-Clow, and Environmental Committee Co-Chair Carol Carson. Monning has been assigned to some important committees and is well positioned to respond to the issues of concern to the VWC. State Senator Joe Simitian gave an update on the State’s budget crisis and its impacts on us locally, especially on funding for our schools and for the environmental regulations and programs the State has been committed to. He then addressed some challenging questions from the audience. His forthright comments were appreciated, and gave listeners clear ideas of where to channel their efforts for legislative improvement in the future. Past VWC President Michele Mosher led the group in a brief Member participation exercise, first asking brand new members to stand (about ten people), then asking members who joined within the past ten, twenty and then thirty years to stand, visually demonstrating the vitality of the Club. Then attendees were asked to write down ideas for VWC focus in the coming year, and a pile of cards with these suggestions were collected at the end of the program. Our 5th District Supervisor Mark Stone addressed the meeting giving an update on budget constraints and their direct effects on the County’s social services, buses, children’s welfare, and basic services like road repair and law enforcement. He answered stiff questions and shared his frustration with the unfairness in how Santa Cruz County is classified for State and Federal funding (like the MediCare funding inequities). His active participation, representing the County, on important regional boards such as the Metro, Library, First Five and AMBAG, gives him significant insight into many issues that impact our daily lives. The Meeting ended, and everyone left knowing that being involved in our community empowers us to help make things better, and to overcome the challenges we all face in the coming months. The VWC Board is grateful to all who attended, sharing their time, their food, their ideas and their enthusiasm.
“One is Silver and the Other’s Gold:” Beth Benjamin and Sherry Skold managed to take on an extraordinary number of important roles in the VWC. As they take their leave we are hard pressed to express our gratitude for all they have done. Beth took on virtually every facet of Board service. She served as President for two terms, leading with creativity and energy while the VWC expanded its outreach and community involvement. She helped with Membership, the Budget, dealt with Quick Books, organized the Bulb Sale (soon a major fundraiser for the VWC); she even reviewed dozens of old Newsletters to create a timeline for our 30th Year Celebration in 2008. Whenever something needed doing, Beth did not hesitate taking it on. Her laugh and the way she made every person feel valued make her a genuine joy to know and work with. Sherry brought wonderful skills and obviously enjoyed the hard jobs! Her warmth and matter-of-fact approach motivated others. She unhesitatingly produced the VWC ‘s Candidates’ Forums in the past few years, a challenging task with the variety of local offices and the emotionally charged issues being expressed, assuring a balanced, informative evening and bringing in record numbers of voters. She took on the job of attending the SLV Disaster Planning meetings, and there assumed a lead role in producing two extensive Disaster Preparedness Workshops for the community, and helped with the fire awareness efforts during summers of drought and high fire danger. The VWC was very lucky to have had them as VWC leaders for so long and cherish their friendships. Taking on the role of Board Member are four people who have already proven themselves of value to the community and to the VWC. Karen Burman, a Felton resident, has a special affinity for Women’s Issues where she is already dedicated much time, and we are lucky to have her interest and support for the Environmental Committee. Jenna Collier (a Hammer-Marcum Honoree) calls Boulder Creek home. She is willing to help with Fund Development for the VWC, a skill well learned during her many years of dedication to Mountain Community Resources, and is eager to help if the Redwood Mountain Faire is renewed. Marge Deason, another Boulder Creekan, wants to help with the Scholarship Committee and her classroom skills will transfer to many VWC activities. Dixie Mitchell-Clow hales from Felton; she too works on Women’s Issues, wants to help the Scholarship Committee, and you will see her work in helping write the VWC Newsletter, starting with this issue! The VWC, with fourteen active and caring Board Members, will continue to work to meet its mission --- with YOUR support. Membership Database… and Accounting Taking over the membership database is more than creating mailing labels, and Bobbi Faulk has the background and patience to take it on. Bobbi, a long time member of the VWC who was a Redwood Mountain Faire Co-director in the past, took over the job from Shirlee Byrd. The job includes maintaining the email “tree,” welcoming new members, and keeping the membership and interest lists up to date. Along with that, Bobbi will be helping maintain our Quick Books accounting, supporting Treasurer Sheila DeLany. Many thanks to Bobbi for taking on these important tasks! VWC Web Site Revamp We’re about to embark on a freshening up of the VWC web site to make it a more useful and interactive. Webmaster Laurel Becker has submitted some interesting ideas for changes, and a Web Subcommittee has been established. Among the improvements being considered: • Making it easier for you to find out about VWC and other worthy causes that need volunteer help • Enabling communication between SLV residents on issues of concern to the Valley • Adding a community calendar If you have any suggestions or feedback, please send it to either Vince Waskell or Dixie Mitchell-Clow.
Home | Back To Top
|
|||
|
