The GFWC Alabama North District Spring meeting was held Feb. 24 in Blountsville, Ala. The GFWC Blountsville Culture Club hosted the meeting. Braden Foy, Bountsville Fire Chief, gave the welcoming remarks.

Jim Ed Clayton, executive director of the Bounty County Children’s Center, presented the program. Clayton joined the center as executive director in 2011. Before that, he and his wife, Dana, were full-time house parents for eight years at the Big Oak Girls’ Ranch in Springville where they served as “Mom and Dad” to 23 abused and neglected girls.

The Alabama Network of Children’s Advocacy Centers, Inc. (ANCAC or The Network) is a not-for-profit statewide organization whose mission is to promote the multi-disciplinary process in fostering an abuse-free society for Alabama’s children and support the development of the Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) model through public awareness, training and collaborative partnerships.

The Network achieves this mission with 47 Children’s Advocacy Centers serving 67 counties with forensic interviewing, evaluations, medical referrals and counseling services.

Robert “Bud” Cramer, Alabama native, former United States Representative, introduced the concept of the Child Advocacy Center on local, state and national levels in 1984. The first in the nation was established May 1, 1985, in Huntsville, by Rep. Cramer.

On behalf of the District Board, Clubs, and Members a generous donation was presented to Mr. Clayton by Christi Robinson, North District Director, to support the Alabama Network of Children’s Advocacy Center mission of affecting change in their community.

In the business session, President Christi Robinson welcomed Alabama State President Jan Greer and other state officers. AFWC State and District officers presented reports, and Community Service Projects Chairmen presented awards to various clubs.

GFWC Book Lovers Study Club received the following North District first place CSP awards for Category B:  Environment; Health and Wellness; Communication & Public Relations; Fundraising; Legislation & Public Policy; Leadership; Women’s History & Resource Center; and Domestic Violence, Sexual Awareness and Prevention. Cheri McCain and Patricia Cox received the awards for Book Lovers.

Suellen Brazil, General Federation of Women’s Club International President-Elect presented greetings from the national headquarters. She shared many of the projects sponsored by GFWC and all the activities that are being made in preparation of the convention that will be held in Chicago.

Following a wonderful luncheon, members participated in the silent auction to raise funds for the North District Scholarship, the Federation sales table and the arts and crafts display.

Unfinished business included GFWC Alabama Convention; by-laws committee recommendations and approvals; and installation of 2024-2026 North District officers.

The meeting closed with the reading of the Collect, announcements, door prizes and silent auction results.