Education Department
2005-2009 Education for the GiftedWHEREAS, There are gifted students in North Carolina who do not receive challenging educational opportunities; and
WHEREAS, The GFWC of North Carolina, Inc. believes that the gifted and talented need recognition and rewards; and
WHEREAS, Some gifted students without challenges and appropriate instruction may become bored with school and drop out, and possibly adopt anti-social behavior; therefore
RESOLVED, That the GFWC of North Carolina, Inc. urges that appropriate educational programs be established for all gifted students so that they may realize their full potential; and further
RESOLVED, That the GFWC of North Carolina, Inc. urges its members, businesses and industry to provide recognition and tangible rewards for academic achievement.
2004-2008 Involvement in Public Schools
WHEREAS, The GFWC of North Carolina, Inc. has always been an ardent supporter of quality education in the public schools; and
WHEREAS, There is a growing need for increased parent and community involvement and participation in the public schools; and
WHEREAS, Federal funding for public education is diminishing and more funds are needed for today’s classrooms and after-school programs; therefore
RESOLVED, That the GFWC of North Carolina, Inc. urges its members to become “Partners in Education” by adopting a school and giving strong support for its programs, after-school programs and needs through volunteerism and material aid; and further
RESOLVED, That the GFWC of North Carolina, Inc. encourages its members to endorse and participate in American Education Week in November, to increase public awareness of the strengths and needs of the public schools and to assist with or help establish after-school programs; and further
RESOLVED, That the GFWC of North Carolina, Inc. encourages its members to stay informed and support legislation and candidates strongly committed to excellence in education as well as to help provide complete information about initiating a community program that could assist with after-school programs, including the After School Alliance and the US Government.
2007-2011 Learning Disabilities
WHEREAS, Persons with learning disabilities have an average or above average IQ; and
WHEREAS, Nearly four million school-aged children in North Carolina have some sort of learning disability; and
WHEREAS, Learning disabled children have the right to receive a complete education; and
WHEREAS, Teachers of learning disabled students require specific training; and
WHEREAS, Many school drop-outs, homeless people and convicted criminals are found to have specific learning disabilities; and
WHEREAS, It is important to educate our community about learning disabilities; and
WHEREAS, Sixty percent of adults with severe literacy problems have undetected or untreated learning disabilities; therefore
RESOLVED,That the GFWC of North Carolina, Inc. urges its member clubs to:
1. Support training and work of educators and professionals working with the learning disabled.
2. Increase awareness of learning disabilities in their clubs and communities.
3. Encourage early diagnosis and appropriate education.
4. Support the legal rights of the learning disabled.
2005-2009 Libraries
WHEREAS, The General Federation of Women’s Clubs, having been responsible for the founding of approximately 75 percent of the nation’s libraries and the GFWC of North Carolina, Inc., having been responsible for the formation of the bookmobile and the majority of the libraries in North Carolina has agreed since its formation to foster library development throughout the state; and
WHEREAS, The GFWC of North Carolina, Inc. believes that libraries are the educational and cultural corner stones of communities; and
WHEREAS, The GFWC of North Carolina, Inc. has shown continued interest and involvement in the North Carolina Public Library System; therefore
RESOLVED, That the GFWC of North Carolina, Inc. supports the establishment of technology based learning centers at the state and local public libraries; and further
RESOLVED, That the GFWC of North Carolina, Inc. encourages its members to promote and participate in the “Friends of the Library” groups and continue to support and endorse public libraries and their services as a valuable educational institution in North Carolina.
2005-2009 Lifelong Learning
WHEREAS, Since the inception of the GFWC of North Carolina, Inc. the educational needs of women have been promoted and enhanced through educational forums, study groups, seminars, lifelong reading, libraries and scholarships; therefore
RESOLVED, That the GFWC of North Carolina, Inc. urges its member clubs to sponsor discussion groups and forums, both among their members and in their communities and that subjects of local, national and international importance be presented; and further
RESOLVED, That the GFWC of North Carolina, Inc. encourage all adults to further their education through distribution of scholarships and available programs, such as the Elderhostel, ESO, Books for Babies programs, continuing education courses and by support and utilization of their local libraries.
2005-2009 Literacy
WHEREAS, Many school children cannot read well enough to make full progress in school and almost one million adults in North Carolina are functional illiterates; and
WHEREAS, Effective citizenship is dependent upon the ability to read, write and comprehend; therefore
RESOLVED, That the GFWC of North Carolina, Inc. urges its members to:
1. Support remedial reading programs in schools and community colleges.
2. Support programs to help train new literacy tutors.
3. Support programs that teach children and adults with literacy problems on a volunteer basis in the local communities.
4. Support and encourage student mentoring programs through participation and/or funding.
2005-2009 Mass Media
WHEREAS, The GFWC of North Carolina, Inc. realizes that printed matter, movies, internet use, music videos, radio and television programs are powerful media for transmitting to masses of people, particularly youth, new ideas, cultural and ethical values, and social attitudes; and
WHEREAS, There is widespread distribution through mass media of production which results in desensitizing of society, even to the point of encouraging violent, sexually promiscuous, unethical, and materialistic behavior, and in which youth identifies itself with such anti-social behavior; therefore
RESOLVED, That the GFWC of North Carolina, Inc.:
1. Endorses a program of education of parents, teachers, church and civic leaders concerning their share of responsibility or teaching, particularly to youth, discrimination in the selection and interpretation of reading matter, movies, music videos, internet use, comic books, radio and television programs.
2. Urges a program of action both on a national scale and in communities, in cooperation with other organizations, with youth, and with producers and distributors of the mass media for broadening the diversity of communication, promoting productions conveying ethical, moral values and high ideals for citizenship.
2006-2010 Scholarships
WHEREAS, The GFWC of North Carolina, Inc. demonstrates its interest and belief in higher education by awarding scholarships to deserving people; and
WHEREAS, Many member clubs award a variety of scholarships, including continuing education, in their local communities; and
WHEREAS, Many government sources of educational funds are being curtailed; therefore
RESOLVED, That the GFWC of North Carolina, Inc. encourages the development of additional scholarship programs by volunteer organizations, business and industry; and further
RESOLVED, That the GFWC of North Carolina, Inc. encourages greater public awareness of available scholarship opportunities.
2004-2008 Teacher Appreciation
WHEREAS, It is recognized that teachers in the public school are often underpaid, overworked, and often unappreciated; and
WHEREAS, The GFWC of North Carolina, Inc. appreciates and respects the classroom teachers, assistants and other educational professionals directly involved with student instruction as among the most important factors in a child’s education; and
WHEREAS, The GFWC of North Carolina, Inc. strongly believes that the parents and community need to recognize and honor the many dedicated teachers and other educational professionals in the schools; therefore
RESOLVED, That the GFWC of North Carolina, Inc. supports, promotes and endorses activities and celebrations which recognizes teachers and other educational professionals.