St. Rita Women's Guild

St. Rita's Women's Guild 
Do you know that every lady in our parish is automatically a member of the Altar Society, known in our parish as the Women's Guild?  We have made many major contributions to our parish grounds and buildings over years including the elevator!  In addition to providing for necessities, some of our members visit the sick or assist in planning receptions for weddings and funerals. 
Our main source of income is the Annual Fall Bazaar held in November.  
Meetings are the second Monday of each month at 1pm in the Religious Education Center
For more information contact the parish office:  (503)252-3403
or [email protected]

 Meeting notes: May 8, 2023, taken by Mindy Malone, VP

Reading by Yaja: 1 Peter 2:20-28

Introductions: Everyone went around the table and said their name - briefly! New/Guests - Maria Card, Sharon Gunderson, Kathy Fuglee, Terri Taylor, Selam Ghebreigzabiher 

Old Business: 

Decided that we will no longer read the minutes at the meeting. Instead, they will be posted to the website, emailed to members and printed copies will be available at the meeting for those without email. Motion brought by Ann Ezell, Seconded by Diane Anthony. All in favor! 

Treasurer report: (Given by Evelyn) $3,894.00 Balance 

It was reiterated that we still need a Treasurer. Lisa is willing to continue to do banking, but her schedule no longer allows her to serve as the Treasurer, or attend meetings regularly. Janice Herricks who is also on the Finance Council is willing to serve if there’s no conflict of interest. Maria Card is interested as well. Evelyn to follow up with Father Tetzel to find out if there’s a conflict of interest.
 

Post-meeting meeting with President and Treasurer: Lisa Porter: Lisa retrieved cash Evelyn had received from Sande and will deposit into WG Wells Fargo account. Lisa will write a check for $3,000 to the parish ($1500 for GF, $1500 for Reno). Lisa reminded Evelyn the Book & Rummage sale will need a cash box for the sale of food. And that the Kitchen crew should be given a budget to make sure we clear expenses. 

New meeting time and day: Discussed the need for a different meeting time so that working parishioners will be able to attend WG meetings. Evelyn reported that Sunday was out (the REC not available). Saturday afternoon could work, or a weekday evening. However, Wed PM would cause Evelyn to have to resign - she’s not available those evenings. Yaja recommended keeping the meetings on the second Monday but shifting the time. Many liked this idea. It was also mentioned that with the time change, and if we decided to hold meetings in the summer, then over half the meetings would occur during daylight hours even if scheduled in the evening. Sharon Roberts asked about surveying the women of the parish.

The Guild decided to perform a poll for all women parishioners with what time would be best for a meeting. Mindy will create the survey and it will be disseminated by WG members at all Masses and in Spanish. We will likely decide in June on a new day/time to begin in the Fall.

Constitution & Bylaws changes: Evelyn reviewed each Article and its recommended changes as listed below. (For more details, see Constitution & Bylaws 20233.)

Article 2: Mission Statement - Sandra Gorger motioned, Sande Wilhelm seconded, passed.

Article 3: Circle “Leader” - Yaja motioned, Janice seconded, all in favor

Article 4: Dues - decided to keep as is for now. 

Article 5: Officers on a 2 year election cycle. Susan Clark motioned and Sande Wilhelm

seconded; all in favor. 

Mentioned there’s an Executive Board that includes Committee Heads and Circle Leaders and that we should all meet in August before first meeting in Sept.

Discussion over remaining articles and changes to continue at the next meeting. 

New Business: 

Allocation of funds - need to give to the General Fund and allocate to the Hall Reno. Evelyn presented one option to do 50% ($1747 each). Ann Ezell would be happy with this. Vickie Carl recommended more to the church as we are an altar society and she feels it should go to the altar. Terry asked what’s been given in the past and when we will give it. The answer is this year in June, but normally in December. Yaja asked about other charities. Many have closed. Discussion regarding the cost of advertising and food for the bazaar. 

Decided: Hold $894 in reserve, Give $1500 each to the Hall reno and $1500 to the GF

Ideas to discuss for future - Centennial tree gift and/or mural in the social hall by Flory. Some discussion about what kind of tree and where to put it ensued. Ann Ezell has a dream of the outdoor stairwell being painted with a mural so it is more beautiful and inviting. Many showed interest in this idea. Members were encouraged to think on it for discussion in coming months. 

100 Yr Anniv Dinner Update - Kim Vu out of town, so Mindy gave an update on flower sales. Reminded members that the dinner is for current parishioners only. Carole Rice expressed concern over members that are currently unable to attend Mass (i.e. homebound or nursing home residents). Maria Card shared the Spanish community has expressed interest in providing a food sale like the Salad Roll/Fried Rice Sale Kim organized last month. 

Mindy passed Carole’s concerns and Maria’s comments on to Kim Vu after she returned from out of town, and Kim will talk with Father regarding both. 

Rummage & Book Sale Update - Ann Ezell

Still need help with the following: 

Setup May 28 - May 31 9AM until done (Tues/Wed especially) see sign up sheet in vestibule. Members were encouraged to invite others to help out and sign up. 

PR - Members encouraged to share the digital image on the WG FB page on their own pages and other Social Media sites like Next Door, Instagram, Marketplace and Craig’s list. Mindy will remind Cynthia to post the same image on the St. Rita FB page. Patty Lampert willing to canvas with fliers. Cynthia was sent a flier last month and will be asked to print 50-100 copies for Patty et al. to share. 

Kitchen crew shared that if there are those that want to bring baked goods (as has been done in the past at the Book Sale) they are welcome to do so on Thursday. And the Kitchen crew will sell on Fri, Sat. 

Renovation update - Ann Ezell 

Painting bid is $9600; The parishioner donating $2500 to painting would like to remain anonymous. 

Renovation Committee Goals are as below. 

Phase 1: Painting the hall before the 100 year Anniversary Dinner. Note: The Kitchen crew is going to be working on the bar this summer. The bar is literally falling apart.

Phase 2: Update Bathrooms & blinds - steam clean floors and replace all fixtures in bath. 

Phase 3: Kitchen remodel - likely a couple years down the road

Bazarre Update - Ann Ezell & Sande Wilhelm There was much discussion of when to start advertising and contacting vendors. Someone asked if there was a list of vendors - yes Sande has and will give to Ann. Sande stated she mails physical invitations to the vendors in August and that not all of them have websites, or use email. Ann will mail a letter to vendors requesting their email addresses in order to form an electronic mailing list. A reminder from Ann that she will get started on Bazarre business as soon as the Rummage sale is over. 

NOTE: From Maria - Elizabet is a bilingual worker in the office on Fridays and has shared that there have been no calls while she’s working. She assumes it’s because people believe the office is closed. She also stated she needs training, so she can be more helpful in the office. (She being Elizabet.)

Meeting ended with the 3:00 PM prayer read by Eveyln. 

Evelyn and Mindy privately discussed the following: Need to end the meeting by 2:30PM, instead of 3PM. There is only enough capacity for a 90 minute meeting. Agreed we also need name tags. Evelyn will research options.