Past President's Report 2022-2024
“Two Years in Review, and May I Say, WOW!”
What a busy two years for everyone, the Board, the Chairmen and the Membership. During several administrations I had been listening to comments made by members on what they liked, disliked, wanted to improve, and for services offered to make our organization the best it can be. I took those comments and thought about the Village Improvement Association’s (VIA) 115th Anniversary in 2024 and came up with the idea for my President’s Community Impact Project (PIP): To continue our history of volunteer service and financial support that meet the needs of the City of Rehoboth Beach and to complete 115 of these activities by the end of the administration! Not only did we reach 115, we surpassed that number to 132. The programs were designed to meet the needs of the area’s changing population. Those needs include food insecurity, homelessness, clothing, healthcare services and education.
With the help from PIP Chairmen Bayne Northern and Dolores Bottinelli, so many new and unique services, events and ideas evolved. With guidance from the PIP Steering Committee, GFWC Community Service and Advancement committee chairmen and Board members, actions were planned implemented and evaluated. Programs were modified giving all members the ability to volunteer in some capacity. Thank you everyone!
Review/updates to the Strategic Plan and the By-Laws and Standing Rules were two other remarkable and heavily time-consuming guidance activities.
The Strategic Plan and evaluation tool. Did we succeed using the plan written 8 years ago? Do we have a path forward that will guide the organization with planning, and do we have the questions to ask each year to assess our activities? Yes, we do! Thank you, Monica Maiese and your committee.
Review of the By-Laws and Standing Rules. The mission was to condense, organize and assure that these documents meet the needs of today’s organization and our community while continuing the founding goals of the organization when it was formed 115 years ago. Led by Carolyn McNeice, two member-lawyers, past presidents and membership chairman, this arduous task was completed and approved by the general membership.
Property Manager, Barbara Wilson finished the administration with gusto after taking on a new roof project as well as a new ice maker and refrigerator along with her routine duties. Also, with the support from a very caring, anonymous, member-donor, Barbara supervised new lighting in the foyer, a new cabinet and shelving, storage, IT equipment and blinds.
Committees review
Art and Culture. Led by Chairman Catherine Cofrancesco and Board member Monica Maiese a plan was carried out to educate the membership about the artists and their fabulous paintings that hang in the clubhouse. Because of the value of the art, the plan included evaluation of the painting’s condition and how to safely maintain and house them. After covid restrictions were eased a Member’s Arts and Crafts Show was held so that members could share what they did with their time and talents during that sheltered period. The Fine Art and Craft Show had a sensational two years. The shows were also a fundraising project. Two members demonstrated their hand stitching ability by participating in the construction of a large tapestry made by GFWC Delaware members that was sent as a gift to a women’s school in the Ukraine.
Civic Engagement and Outreach. Karen Dettwyler, Chairman and her sub-committee leaders did a remarkable job to lend a hand to those in need locally, statewide and globally with substantial donations of food, clothing, supplies, along with services to active-duty military and families, and funding for food to Ukraine. Organizations aided by the committee included Code Purple, Home of the Brave, Community Resource Center, GFWC National Day of Service as well as the Rehoboth Beach Patrol, Baby Pantry, gifts to homeless high school students and nursing home residents without families and many others. Members volunteered during elections.
Communications, Public Relations and IT. A new Membership Directory was published. There was an increase in communication to members through weekly email blasts. The monthly newsletter continued. Social media was helpful in reporting and announcing events. Releases were quickly picked up by local press. Thanks to Elayne Cannarozzi and her committee, Stephanie Hobbs, Andrea Davey, and to Valerie Evans and the IT team for their expertise in maintenance and revision of the website and many other communication advances.
Domestic Violence and Human Trafficking was the GFWC Delaware State initiative. Each club in the state helped to educate their members and the community about this local, national and worldwide problem. The VIA provided speakers, activities and collections for local survivors. Thank you, Maribeth Dockety and committee for your dedication and for the help to What Is Your Voice? through donations and participation, and to the women in the state.
Education, Libraries and ESO. What a busy two years the committee has had, led by Diane Baerveldt. The exciting Project G.R.E.A.T. for new teachers was a glowing success. Supplies were provided at the beginning of the school year and a personal sweet treat for the new teachers on Valentine’s Day made them feel welcome and supported. Other activities included Read Aloud Delaware, numerous activities at the Rehoboth Beach Public Library, the VIA Book Club which is open to members and non-members, keeping the book boxes filled, encouraging members to participate in ESO, renewing excitement and participation in HOBY and CleW statewide programs and for the scholarships to high school students, undergraduate nursing students and to advanced degree nurses.
Environment. Meg Collins and her committee were busy throughout the years without any summer breaks. Adopt a Highway, Coastal Cleanup along with annual beach grass planting, Rehoboth in Bloom and the never-ending clubhouse landscaping kept the committee moving. Two, new ingenious projects were Travel Together to entice ride sharing and Earth Day events and Electric Car Show.
Fundraising and Development. Fundraising is the keystone of the VIA. The club sponsored events with the proceeds going to our local non-profit organizations. A return of the fashion show “Travel in Style” was a great hit. Dine and Donate proved to be successful without much stress. Pickleball lessons and team playing continued. Art of Accessorizing gave the springtime a go and moved it back to the fall. Bingo and Music Bingo were hits for members and the community on multiple dates. Fine Art and Craft Show was held in the spring. Clubhouse rentals are financial winners. During 2022-2024, the Saint Nicholas Tea continued to be the largest fundraiser. It takes a year of planning and each year the Chairman and her committees offer a masterpiece in food, vendors, and hospitality to the visitors. The 30 +1 Summer Raffle was great. Thank you, Mari Badila and the remarkable event committee chairmen.
The Development Committee let by Rose Marie Patin participated in DoMore24 and Day of Giving. Funds raised through these initiatives went to organizations who assisted with food insecurities. Most recently the theme was Women Helping Women with funds helping women in need and for those facing homelessness. A gracious anonymous donor has provided an additional ten thousand dollars each year for five years to help with programs of importance to our community. The Development Committee has been working with the City of Rehoboth Beach to replace the Children’s Fishing Pier at the request and funding of the same anonymous donor.
Health and Wellness. For 115 years the VIA has offered significant assistance to the health and wellness of the community. During the past two-years Judy Boesch and her sub-committee leaders continue to help the Delaware Hospice Katybug Childhood Cancer Program, offer keep fit programs such as walking and exercise classes for members and others, while also providing volunteer services to local support and health groups. The VIA membership embraced Operation Smile making hundreds of blankets, gowns and smile bags and delivering them to the headquarters in Virginia Beach, VA. Thank you, Mary J. Sparks, the Caring Stitchers and to all of those who sew. In partnership with Beebe Healthcare CPR and AED classes were offered. Flu vaccinations, and health screenings were held at the Clubhouse on two different occasions.
Leadership. Leadership projects assisted numerous important organizations devoted to arts and culture, civic engagement, education, health and wellness, environment, and women’s history. Leadership skills were impacted by all participants and benefactors. Thank you, Jan Conant, Chairman.
Legislation and Public Policy. Lead by Irene Paonessa, members were informed on important Legislative Action Alerts from GFWC. Local, state and national updates were also included in newsletters, email blasts and at general meetings. Keeping members astute on happenings encouraged them to learn and to share their knowledge with others. Members participated in League of Women Voters educational programs.
Membership. In 2022-2023 16 new members were welcomed. During 2023-2024 there were 14 more. Chairman Carol Hall and her committee held new-member orientations, and importantly, offered ongoing information and follow up to the new members.
Women’s History and Resource Center. Chairman Mary Jane Deets and the VIA Archivists continued downloading hardcopy and computer files into the VIA system housed at the Rehoboth Beach Museum. These files were extremely helpful to the new and revised history of the VIA started during the previous administration. The process was severely slowed because of the inability to access documents during the covid pandemic. Since then, Ellen Hughes, Ann Sebastian, and Elayne Cannarozzi with the help of JoAnn Reynolds, Gail Shaffer and Sharon Ferrara have worked closely and the 115-year story has been completed. The Spunky Women of Rehoboth Walking Tour, a dual project of the VIA and the Rehoboth Beach Historical Society and Museum was exciting. VIA reached the Centennial Milestone as a GFWC member. In both 2023 and 2024 the City of Rehoboth Beach proclaimed March 20th as VIA Day. What a great way to celebrate Women’s History Month!
Concluding Statistics
VIA results from the 2023 GFWC Delaware Convention: Seven First Place Awards, a Creativity Award, Two Second Place Awards, One Third Place Award, Short Story First Place Award, and Numerous Photography Awards. At the 2024 GFWC Delaware Convention the VIA received: Six First Place Awards, One Creativity Award, Six Second Place Awards, Four Third Place Awards, and Numerous Photography Awards.
As an overview during 2023 and 2024 members donated 40,137 volunteer hours. Gifts in Kind totaled $76,537. And VIA charitable contributions amounted to $79,050!
Ending this report as I began, I again want to thank each Board member, each Chairman and each Member for your dedication to the Village Improvement Association. And thank you, for the fantastic opportunity that I have had to represent you and the organization as your President.
And again……may I say, “WOW!”
Kate McKenzie, 2022-2024 President