Bored? Want Something Fun? A Fashion Show Perhaps?

Well these ladies started with 30 members with one thing in mind: to meet others in the community and do something fun. Now their 130 + members from a 501 (c) (3) Foundation, which means they can give to people as well as to other 501 (c) (3)’s . They enjoy 2 luncheons a month, an annual Fashion Show Fundraiser and monthly Canasta, Bunco, An Upscale Lunch, Bowling, Evening Book Club, and Daytime Book Club to attend at your leisure. Their dues are low but add up when it comes to giving: they can boldly say that 99% of what they raise go directly to donations.

What’s the name of this foundation? We are talking about the Greater Keller Women’s Club , located just about 40 miles north west of Dallas, Texas. They are not an exclusively Keller based club, anyone who wants to join can, and their dues are $36/year, at most. The 132 members in 2007 volunteered a total of over 10,000 hours that year and raised over …

… $100,000 for their community.

Now let me think: of their list of activities, I have, in my life, attended a bunco night, gone bowling with girlgfriends (and golfing and tennis), played bridge (don’t know how to play canasta), started/participated in book clubs (love them!), and have even put on a fashion show. But the one thing I have not done – nor had any of the owmen I did this with – is start a legal 501 (c) (3) Foundation with board members and vp’s and a treasurer, nor did we ever raise over $100,000 a year with just 130 or so members in my circle. Even though the above mentioned activities have involved only women, we did not go so far as to organize and create a foundation for our community. The funny and somewhat sad thing is: we could have.

What I really appreciate and have found to be true in life is this: They knew that the best way to make friendships that last is through working together. This is why they started the foundation in the first place. These ladies wanted to make friendships, and work with and really get to know other women in their community. They attract people of all ages, young and old, of all income brackets, and of all interests. That did not undermine the friendships one bit. The net result: a lot of new friends that they would not have met otherwise, a lot of fun and the community is $100,000 better off than before.

What do they fund: GKWC has become well known for their contributions to various community non-profit organizations, such as the Community Storehouse, Summer Santa, Casey’s Kids, Scholarships for KISD seniors, KISD Project Graduation, Metroport Meals on Wheels, Christ’s Haven, Keller Library, T.R.A.I.L. Foundation and more.

What’s this about a Fashion Show: co-chairs Vickie Elms and Jean Manuszak led a team of women through ten months of planning and preparing for one of the best fashions shows in the GKWC’s 20 year history. Along with ticket sales, they had an auction to boost revenue from the gala event.

Describe the Fashion Show: as stated by GKWC’s “Jan Tomlison’s marvelously engineered stage was set for a demonstration of timeless fashions including the little black dress, the pumps, the pearls, the clutch, and that updated yet dependable blazer. These elements were demonstrated throughout the show over fifty times but because they are timeless, we were unaware of their repetition. Dorene Badalamenti along with the team from Dillards and Terrace Retreat Salon and Day Spa put on a seamless show of the latest trends. We all found new ideas for using our current wardrobes by adding a few additional pieces to keep it current. The models were entertaining as they danced and pranced down the runway…and it was hard to tell who was having the most fun.”

When and where and how do they disburse their funds: OO! this sounds fun. They gather for a dinner event at which they present their gifts to the receiving organizations every year in June. This year’s annual fund raising dinner is set for 6 p.m. June 18 at Timarron Country Club, in Keller Texas. For anyone in the area who wants to see who gets what, you can buy a ticket to the event and enjoy a fine dinner while finding out who gets what amount, and if you want, you can meet some GKWC members, in case you consider joining. (To purchase a ticket, contact Susan Logan at sulo1116@aol.com or at 817-329-2907.)

When asked about their mission statement, here is what they share: “Our mission statement says that we are here to “further the common goal and general welfare of the people of the community….” and in order to do that; we must be well organized, dedicated, and creative. It also means that we all serve, and that seems to be part of the beauty of this club. We have found that as we serve the needs of others, we get some of our own needs met. Our need for friendship, purpose, and inspiration seems to be addressed as we take our attention off ourselves, and focus on others.”

Sounds solid, sounds fun, sounds like they build good solid relationships as they work side by side.. and sounds like their toil is helpful to the greater community. Nice work GKWC!

If you are a local non- profit, especially one that works with children, click here to get to the link for specifics and the place to apply for a grant from the GKWC.

I am working on getting an interview with an attorney who knows about establishing 501 (c) (#3)’s, for those of you who are getting inspired to start your own foundation, not unlike the Greater Keller Women’s club. This is not something that is out of the realm of possibility to anyone capable of reading this post. It just isn’t. I think it is time for us, especially us women, to claim our vision as worthy , and to act on it, and get good people aboard with us, and finally have the affect we sought to bring at the outset.

It is important to think: gather together with women, friends and neighbors and just see what you can do. Get corporate sponsorships, get your dream on. Yes you. For the story of what another woman saw fit to do, and eventually made into an international gift for girls, click here to read about it.

Just sit back and think: YES YOU. What would YOU do if Life asked YOU to set out and get something going that is … just so YOU, what You have to give us all.. that is a gift for the greater good. Now Smile. You know it would be really, really satisfying.

Enjoy your vision…