WHAT IN THE HECK IS FAWCO ?
NNA SIZORINA by Tracy Moede
Okay , so it isn ’ t a secret that I am a big fan of FAWCO . I caught the fever at the conference in Vilnius , Lithuania , in 2009 . Since then I have tried to bring my enthusiasm for this organization to the members of the AWCH . It hasn ’ t been an easy job . If you have never been exposed to a conference or a regional meeting , it is hard to understand what FAWCO is , what they do , and how they do it .
For those of you who have never heard of FAWCO before , it is the Federation of American Women ’ s Clubs Overseas and is our “ mother ” organization . Your membership is automatic when you join the AWCH . This 15,000-member , 100 % volunteer organization comprises fifty-six clubs in twenty-eight countries on six continents . It is the oldest and largest organization representing the needs of Americans living overseas and keeps Americans abroad up to date on their rights and responsibilities , including voting rights , equitable taxation , and citizenship for children born and / or adopted abroad . You might be interested to know that FAWCO addresses public , social , and health policies and issues throughout the world . FAWCO also promotes a wide-range of philanthropic efforts by donating over $ 100,000 per year to various global charities via the FAWCO Foundation .
Whew ! That is a lot of information to take in and process . Not to worry , former FAWCO representatives Carol Strametz and Christine Riney and acting representative Jordan Wagner and I have had the chance to introduce the AWCH to FAWCO in a variety of ways , such as through fundraising events like the many BUNCO game nights and the silent auction at the AGM . I have motivated friends to donate quilt squares to the FAWCO quilt and sold raffle tickets for the quilt fundraiser at the yearly conferences . There have been informational reports ( and quizzes !) at the AWCH annual general meetings .
You don ’ t have to be as big a fan as I am . Really , you don ’ t . However , if you are looking for a way to do something for yourself , to find a place where you are not seen as a wife , mother , or employee , or to get active in projects that make a difference , FAWCO just might be the place for you . All you have to do is to find something that interests you and take action ! Check out the FAWCO website and log in for additional information at www . fawco . org . It really is very user-friendly . We often think that one person cannot make a difference in the world , but through FAWCO , an organization of like-minded women , we can .
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