NPWC Club History

The first organizational meeting of the new, general woman's club in Pinellas County, Florida was Wednesday, July 9, 2003 at the home of Jane J. and John S. Hussar in Safety Harbor. Twenty-seven women attended which included 2002-2004 GFWC Florida Federation of Women's Clubs District 14 Director Mildred Randino, Past District Director Barbara Wood and 2002-2004 Junior District 14 Director Laurie Auth. At that meeting the group voted to become an organization and join the federation. Jane J. Hussar was elected temporary chair and Cathy Stein the temporary secretary. The club was founded by current and past members of the GFWC Clearwater Junior Woman's Club.

Due to the large attendance of the first meeting, the Countryside Public Library was secured for the second organizational meeting on Wednesday, August 13, 2003. The bylaws were approved. The bylaws committee, chaired by marie Padavich, included Susan Petersen, Dale Melton, Jeanette Robson, Sandy Incorvia and Jane J. Hussar. Annual dues were approved at $50 per year and a special one time charter membership dues at $35. The club voted to meet at the Countryside Public Library and approved the name GFWC North Pinellas Woman's Club. The president chose as her theme "Tomorrow's Growth Begins Today." The club voted to make that saying the permanent theme. The palm tree is the symbol.

Elections were held and the officers elected were:

Executive Board:
President - Jane J. Hussar
President Elect - Evelyn van Vonno
First Vice President (service) - Laurie Auth
Second Vice President (membership) - Sandy Incorvia
Secretary - Nancy Ferguson
Treasurer - Michelle Davenport
Member-at-Large - Renee Berg

Department Chairs:
Arts - Rose Riney & Sue Reitmeyer
Conservation - Charlotte Morales
Education - Janet D'Amato
Home Life - Kim Ferrara
International Affairs - Ocy Ertzberger
Public Affairs - Alana MacBain

Committee Chairs:
Fund Raising - Jeanette Robson
Public Relations - Susan Petersen
Leadership and President's Scrapbook - Cathy Stein
Parliamentarian - Jeanne Stephenson
Newsletter & Webmaster - Debbie Stitt

The club was accepted into membership by the GFWC Florida Federation of Women's Clubs on September 27, 2003 at the Downtown Tampa Waterside Marriott. GFWC Florida President was Linda Boyd and Membership Chair was Linda Dennis. The had 41 Charter Members.

GFWC Florida District 14 Director Mildred Randino installed the officers on November 18, 2003 at Bon Appetit in Dunedin, Florida. Clubs in District 14 attending were GFWC Clearwater Junior Woman's Club, GFWC Seminole Junior Woman's Club, Clearwater Juniorettes, GFWC Clearwater Community Woman's Club and the GFWC Tarpon Springs Woman's Club. Kim Ferrara was recognized as the first dues paying member of the new club.

The club began an image profile incorporating it's theme and symbol which included business cards for each member. Target membership included women in the 40s and up. At the end of 2003, club membership was 45; 51% junior woman's club members; 18% past junior members and 31% women new to federation. The club is incorporated.

During its first few months, some of the projects of the club included:

• Stein Mart Fashion Show
• Burdines Charity Event
• Campbell's Soup/box tops for education
• Christmas tree recycling
• Parent University
• Adopted a family
• Women on the Way Challenge Center as St. Petersburg College
• Breast cancer awareness
• Sharing with Shelters
• Local food bank
• Bread mixes, chef's coat, stockings and gifts to our troops in Iraq
• Socks to Juvenile Justice program
• Coloring supplies to Pinellas County Sheriff's Department
• Angel Pins fundraiser
• Club arts and crafts show
• Making positioning snakes for premature babies (Angel Stitches)
• Sports Memorabilia fundraiser

The club also created a holiday ornament for its members. Members also began ordering the signature club apparel. They also had an afternoon tea at Davis and Daughters Tea House and had a Ho, Ho, Ho Holiday Mingle at Debbie and Bill Stitt's. The monthly leadership award is a live mini-palm tree. Recipients included Jane J. Hussar, Sandy Incorvia, Susan Petersen and Renee Berg.

By Jane J. Hussar, 2003, 2004 president