Welcome! The Kerr County Women's Chamber is so proud that you have made the important decision to join as a new member. The Board of Directors encourages you to read the "New Member Newsletter" below to acquaint yourself with the culture and traditions of the organization so you won't miss a minute of the rewarding benefits of membership.
Hopefully, after you have had the opportunity to learn more about the organization, you will choose an area where you would like to lend your experience and expertise to the organization's mission.
Last, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact our President, Vicki Roark; any officer or Board Member. This is YOUR organization and we need YOU to be successful!
Thank you again for your decision!
New Member Newsletter
CONGRATULATIONS on your decision to become a member of the Kerr County Women's Chamber. We are very pleased you have chosen to join us and welcome you to our organization. We look forward to you sharing your time and talents toward the pursuits of our mission to enhance the Kerr County area through charitable, civic and environmental projects and programs.As is true in all aspects of our lives, the more you are involved and give of yourself, the better life is for you and those around you. The same will be true of your membership in the Women's Chamber. The more you are involved and contribute to the organization, the more you will cherish the work of this dedicated group of women. There are many ways you can choose to be involved...all you have to do is volunteer to serve on a committee, task force or give your time for the many projects that always need more people to make them work well.
Since 1972, the Women's Chamber has been diligent in its efforts to be of service to the community. As you read this New Member Newsletter, we hope you will gain a sense of pride and ownership of your organization.
Please contact President Vicki Roark or any of the officers or board members if you ever have a question or if we can help you in any way. We value your ideas or suggestions!
Welcome Aboard!
KCWC History
Since it's inception in 1972, the Women's Chamber (formerly known as the Women's Division of the Kerrville Area Chamber of Commerce) has worked diligently for over 38 years to be of service to our community.Through our members who have volunteered their time and talents much has been accomplished. These accomplishments include:
 | Fundraising for the Chamber of Commerce and other organizations community |
| Promoting and participating in clean-ups of our community, country sides and highways. |
| Improving and beautifying parks and boulevards and giving Beautification awards to owners of yards, historical buildings and parks for their for their improvements and adopted tree wells Downtown. |
| Under the direction of the Beautification Committee, the KCWC in the past adopted Richards Park at Travis & Jefferson Sts "Field of dreams. We assist in obtaining trees and other plants to help beautify the area including Trees at the Kerr County Courthouse, Elm Creek Park, the Omega Life Center, and the Deitert Center. Benches at Peterson Regional Medical Center's Patients garden |
| Providing scholarships for women for Higher Education. |
| Recognizing outstanding women in the county with the Outstanding Woman of the Year Award. |
| Holiday Lighting Projects (Courthouse & Tranquility Island) |
| Time Capsule 2000 |
| Helping the local food banks with the "Deli" Program |
| Keeping as many as possible laser and ink jet cartridges out of land fills with our Recycle Program. |
| "Volunteers to go" program where our members help out other non- Profits and at community at events with our volunteers throughout the year as when requested. |
Membership Meetings
The Kerr County Women's Chamber meets the first Wednesday of every month. The meeting begins at 12:00 noon at the Y. O. Ranch Resort Hotel.A buffet luncheon is served and includes wonderful salads, vegetables, hot entrees If that isn't enough, a sampling of the Inn's famous (and decadent) desserts are available. The buffet begins at 11:30 a.m. allowing members and guests to enjoy lunch and visit before the meeting begins. The cost for the luncheon is $13.00 (credit cards are not accepted). One special note: the use of the facility for our meetings is contingent upon each person attending to purchase a buffet. Reservations are made when a Telephone Committee member calls you to find out if you will be attending or you can contact Sandy Lewis at sandylewisbiz@gmail.com or call her at cell #830-285-5600.
As you enter The dinning hall, there will be a membership welcome table with name tags, Membership forms and newsletters. There will be a table for the Deli Program Non perishables and monetary donations. In the middle of each dinning table, important information is placed prior to the meeting that you will find useful. These items include meeting agenda, financial reports, and local announcements.
Some fun activities that take place at our meetings include door prizes and Everyone attending automatically receives one ticket for the door prize drawing and, those wearing a KCWC name tag receive TWO chances! A separate ticket will be given at the "Deli" Table for your donation. Name tags and shirts may be purchased. The Business Meeting is called to order at 12:00 noon. Following the invocation and Pledge of Allegiance and reading of the minutes and Treasurer's Report, The Hospitality Committee introduces new members and guests that have joined us at the meeting. Committee reports and other KCWC business are presented and any issues needing membership approval are voted on. a guest speaker gives a 15-minute presentation. One note about votes - any member in good standing is invited to make motions when appropriate, second. Votes taken are by voice signs.If you have any comments, suggestions or questions about our meetings, please do not hesitate to talk with a KCWC officer.
Governance
The Kerr County Women's Chamber belongs to each member. This pride of ownership carries with it the responsibility to serve whenever possible. Each member's participation is vital to our mission to be of service to our community.Hopefully, after each new member has had time to become acquainted with the organization, our culture and traditions, they will begin to think about assuming leadership positions by chairing committees, serving on the Board of Directors or becoming an officer.
In our membership directory (which is included in your new member packet), the by-laws of the KCWC are printed. Please take a moment to read through the by-laws to acquaint yourself with the precepts by which the organization is guided.
Other useful information such as description of officer duties, committee descriptions and the procedures for new officer selection is also explained.
The Board which consists of officers and committee chairs meets on the last Wednesday of every month. At this meeting, issues to be brought before the membership are discussed and committee chairs have the opportunity to discuss their committee's activities. Certain issues, as set out by the by-laws, are decided at the Board level and reported to the membership. Other issues are agreed upon by the Board as issues to be presented to the general membership for their final approval.
Anyone wishing to have a matter brought before the Board may do so by contacting an officer or by asking a committee chair to make the matter known to the Board. Newsletters provide lists of officers and committee members. This is for your convenience to allow easy communication and access to those who have agreed to serve in leadership positions for the year.
The KCWC Parliamentarian is charged with the responsibility of insuring that all business of the organization is conducted under Roberts Rules of Order and meets with the procedures set out in the KCWC by-laws.
Yearly Calendar
The KCWC year consists of a wide variety of events, programs and activities. While most are annual, from time to time special activities are planned as the need arises. The following list will give you an idea of the opportunities to get involved:
May - installation of new officers, the President's annual Report , annual awards, annual budget and planning meeting. Scholarship committee begins interviews.
June - Women Helping Women Scholarships are awarded.
July - Veterans Appreciation Luncheon in place of the General Meeting. Members Sponsor veteran guest's Lunches.
August - "Outstanding Woman of the Year" nomination forms are due.
September - Annual Kerrville Chamber of Commerce Banquet and announcement of "Outstanding Woman of Year" award.
November - Holiday Lighting - "Forest of Trees" at Tranquility Island. Members participate in the Holiday Parade Downtown Kerrville with the Outstanding Woman of the year on board a lighted float. Volunteers needed to run the KCWC booth downtown on the Parade day.
October - Style show at General Meeting
December - Annual KCWC Christmas Party has become the "event" of the year. Taking the place of the December meeting, the KCWC Christmas Party is a time of fellowship and sharing the spirit of the season! Friendship Tree donations made to benefit a selected organization. This is the Major Fundraiser of the year with a Silent Auction and Live auction.
January - "Women Helping Women" Scholarship applications distributed and accepted through April 30th.
February - Nominating Committee elected to begin planning for officer elections for year beginning May 1.
March - Nominating Committee Chair announces Slate of officers . Votes taken from the floor of the general meeting to accept slate of nominees. Board votes on KCWC annual awards at the Board of directors meeting. KCWC Anniversary Celebration.
April - Nominating Committee Chair announces Slate of officers . Nominations from the floor are made and votes are taken from the floor of the general meeting. The Christian Women's Job Corp graduates are honored at this General Meeting. members sponsor the graduates Lunches.
Current Special Projects
| Scholarships for Women/Awards |
One of the highest priorities for the KCWC is the "Women Helping Women" scholarships awarded each year. Scholarships are awarded to women based on financial need. Some are single moms trying to complete their studies or women working full time and going to school at night. Additionally, each scholarship recipient has a sponsor member for her lunch.
The women helping women Scholarship committee chaired by Brenda Craig Reviews the Applications of women trying to further their education and are in need of financial help through scholarships. Applications are accepted January - April and scholarships are awarded at the June general meeting.
| Beautification |
Each month this committee chaired by Ruth Bauer, gives an award to some individuals, businesses or organizations for their effort in beautifying our County. they search our community for improving and beautifying parks and boulevards, yards, historical buildings as well as volunteering in highway & river clean up projects and any environmental improvements.
| Tranquility Island Holiday Lighting |
The "Forest of Trees" Holiday Lighting project, chaired by Louise Kirby. A project originally initiated By our beloved parted Charter Member Marj Nicholson, is being developed and enhanced on the Tranquility Island in Louise Hays park on the Guadalupe River. Phase I was on display during 2000 holidays. Animals are added each year.
| Welcome and Ribbon Cuttings |
The Welcome Committee, chaired by Debbie Barron is charged with a very important responsibility and each member is asked to help. Each month, representatives of the KCWC attend ribbon cutting ceremonies at new businesses. These are scheduled through the Kerrville Chamber of Commerce and the KCWC is among those attending. Each representative presents a rose and invites the owners to our General Meeting luncheon.
At each monthly KCWC meeting the list of ribbon cuttings and new businesses will be announced and each member will have the opportunity to volunteer to attend as a KCWC representative. You will be given a card with the information and a reminder of the procedures to follow so you will be comfortable in representing the KCWC. From time to time, a convention group visiting Kerrville may ask our organization to perform welcoming activities as they arrive or at a welcoming function. We ask as many of our members as can to attend in their red shirts to thank this group for choosing Kerrville.
| Speakers and Programs |
The 1st Vice President, Dolores Vinas, is responsible for arranging our monthly programs. The program portion of our meeting is given 15-20 minutes to allow us to enjoy the speaker and time to conduct the business meeting. The topics can be on a variety of subjects related to women's issues, health or of general issue and Community Programs.
Should you have an idea, desire to be included as a speaker or know of someone who would, please contact Dolores Vinas, 1st Vice President.
KCWC Annual Awards to our own members are important in order to recognize those members who have made outstanding contributions in a given year. These awards include the Community Achievement Award, 2nd Miler Award and the New Horizon Award and occasionally a president's award..
| The Deli Program |
Supporting the Christian Assistance Ministries (CAM) food bank at this time , KCWC members donate canned goods and cash at each monthly meeting. They also bring coupons each month. An extra door prize ticket is given for one's donation to the "deli" program Which was named in honor of or Dearly Departed Charter Member Delores Livingston. the Chair is Kathy Coleman
| Recycling Projects |
Ink Cartridge Recycling: Laser and ink jet cartridges can be recycled through Cartridge World and other outlets. HP and Lexmark brands will result in $1.00 - $2.00 cash or more to KCWC which will be donated to a local non profit of the committee's choice. Plastic bags are also collected and delivered to C.A.M. food bank, and empty pill bottles which have been thoroughly cleaned and the labels removed for a school program that children collect Quarters, dimes and nickels for non profits. Jannell Bullock is the Chair.
| Door Prizes |
Each month, members (either individually or through their business) may volunteer to bring door prizes to be awarded at the General Membership meetings.
If you would like to participate as a door prize contributor, please contact Ellen Parsons, KCWC 2nd Vice President and Membership Chair.
| New Members/Guests |
As a new member, you are encouraged to share your excitement with friends or business acquaintances that you think might benefit from membership or have special talents to share with the KCWC. Guests of members are introduced by our Hostess Chair B.J. Billeiter
Please feel free to invite them to a meeting, share the monthly newsletters with them or bring them to a KCWC event so they can see first-hand the value of the organization to our community.
We hope you'll pass on the good news about KCWC!
| Newsletter |
The KCWC publishes a monthly newsletter meant to keep members up-to-date on activities and promote good communication about the organization. While much of the newsletter is devoted to KCWC current events, we welcome members ideas and contributions and they will be included on a space-available basis.
Each month, the newsletter is distributed by e-mail, us post office mail and are available at the General Membership meeting. If you miss a meeting, please let the newsletter chair Melissa Fields know. Extras are at the membership welcome table at the front door. If you are a member whose schedule conflicts frequently with the meeting, You can read the Newsletter on this website.
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Shirts and Nametags |
KCWC red shirts are available for purchase at the general meeting. Please see our membership chair, Ellen Parsons and her committee at the table near the front door . Shirts are available for approximately $14.95. You are requested to obtain a shirt as soon as possible because members will wear these shirts when we are working an event. Name tags are available for $10.00 and are worn when we are representing the KCWC. And, don't forget the extra chance to win a prize at the monthly meeting if you wear your nametag!!
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Volunteers To Go |
KCWC members who enjoy helping as a volunteer ambassador with other members of the Good Will Committee provide the needed volunteer work force requested for special events in the local community as needed. Each KCWC volunteer wears our red shirts when at the special events.