AWC Going Dutch May_June 2019

FAWCO Corner
by Julie Mowat, AWC The Hague FAWCO Representative
Federation of American Women’s Clubs Overseas, a United Nations NGO with
consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council
www.fawco.org.
I
want to start by saying thank you to you,
the Members of AWC The Hague. I have
been the FAWCO Rep for the past three
years and it has been a wonderful experience.
During my tenure in this position, the
Club has been so supportive. People jump in
when asked to volunteer for various FAWCO
events: speakers/talks, the Stand Up Against
Human Trafficking Symposium, last year’s
Interim Meeting held here in The Hague
(helping with the welcome desk, tours, dinners,
among many other things), etc. You
made squares for the gorgeous FAWCO
Foundation quilt and bought raffle tickets.
You raised money for the Target Projects: Free
The Girls and Hope Beyond Displacement.
Our Club is among the top money-raising
clubs for these amazing projects. Our AWC
makes a difference and you are all a big part
of that. Thank you!
Scholarships
You can win scholarships through FAWCO!
There are many scholarships available for
which our Members and their children can
apply. It is
a wonderful
perk for our
Club. Keep
your ears
open in the
fall for more
details. My
son Ben won
a $5,000
Humanities
Scholarship,
which is
super exciting.
He is
thrilled and
honored.
34 GOING DUTCH
Development Grants
At the FAWCO Conference held recently in
Edinburgh, many Development Grants were
awarded, accompanied to lots of cheering
in the room. Disappointingly, our Club’s
submitted proposal for Stahili did not win,
though I heard that it was a close vote. (I
was proud though to share just how helpful
last year’s Development Grant was for
Stahili’s Pillow Project). However, many of
the grants our Club voted for were awarded.
They included Keeping Backpacks Full of
Hope, Stepergy, Fistula Repair Program,
and our spring benefit recipient, Not for
Sale’s More than Just a Cup of Coffee.
Quilt
While no one from our Club won the beautiful
quilt this year, many Members made
squares for this gorgeous quilt which was
raffled at the conference. Terri Mahoney
won the Hermes scarf raffle. All proceeds
from the raffles go to the FAWCO
Foundation which provides Educational
Scholarships and Development Grants to
Members and their
children and grandchildren.
Board
Many of our own AWC Members are very
active in FAWCO. Laurie Brooks served
for these past two years as First Vice
President. She will continue being active
by helping with the website and other technical
needs. Emily van Eerten is the new
FAWCO President for 2019-2021. She was
previously President from 2005 through
2007 and has been elected again for the position.
What a huge honor and a lot of work. Go
Emily! Anne van Oorschot will continue
as Co-chair of the Environment Team, and I
am excited to begin a term as Co-chair of the
Human Rights Team. Other Members have
held positions in the past: Georgia Renault
and Celeste Brown are past Presidents and
now serve as counselors. Mary Adams was
on the Board of FAWCO Foundation and
Co-chaired the Stand Up Against Human
Trafficking Symposium. If you have any
questions about FAWCO, there are many
AWC Members you can ask. There are also
many ways for you to be involved, if you
wish!
New FAWCO Board
Upcoming FAWCO Events
The FAWCO Youth Program is a wonderful
experience for teens ages 15 to 18. The cultural
volunteer program is fun and informative.
Most participants come home saying
this experience had a great impact on them,
and many make long-term friendships. This
year it will be held in Greece from October
16 – 23. Please consider registering your
child or grandchild for this amazing opportunity.
Our Regional Conference will be hosted by
AWC Amsterdam on October 4 – 6. More
details to come soon.
Next year’s Interim Meeting will be held
on March 20 – 22 in Luxembourg. This is
a shorter meeting and often less expensive.
All Members are invited, and it is a great
way to learn about FAWCO. More information
to follow.
MAY/JUNE 2019 35