Greetings, Ladies!

I’m breathing a sigh of relief as I write this article… I made it through my first

year of teaching! As I reflect on my year of experiences, I realize that my stu-

dents may have taught me as much as I had to teach them. Here are some lessons

that I find applicable to many aspects of life:

Be prepared. Be prepared to fail and have back-up plan. Have a back-up plan

for your back-up plan.

When your back-up plan for your back-up plan fails… be flexible! Sometimes

it’s ok to wing it. Put on a big smile of confidence, and no one will know the dif-

ference.

Get enough sleep. No one is competing for the role of biggest martyr. Staying

up past your limit is not doing anyone any good. Least of all yourself.

When someone tells you you’re awesome, smile and say “thank you”. Because

you are awesome.

Don’t sweat the small stuff. I know this is cliché, but I really learned to take

this to heart. Negativity feeds negativity. Take a deep breath, stay calm, and

keep on living the life you have imagined.

For those of you that attended the May membership meeting, thank you for both

your presence and your treats! The potluck was a huge success.

We have some fantastic events planned for the near future. If you are available

and enjoy the company of children, Safety Town is planned for June 10-14. Volun-

teers would be much appreciated. We also have a book club meeting scheduled for

June 9th at Jen’s house. Founder’s Day is July 1st; stay tuned for more details at

our upcoming membership meeting. Finally, we will make our third attempt at high-

way clean-up sometime in June. Again, stay tuned for more details.

I look forward to seeing you all at our membership meeting on June 10th!

In friendship,

Heather

“Live the Life you Have Imagined”

From Our President...

J u n e 2 0 1 3

Aitkin Women of Today

Meeting minutes 2-3

State Delegate news 4

Celebrations/Sunshine 4

Meeting hostess 4

Cookie Bake Sale 5

Relay for Life 5

Riverboat Days Float 5

AWT Family Campout 5

Book Club Info 6

Book List 6

4th of July Foodstand 6

Programming VP 7

Community Connections 7

Records and Recognition 7

Founder’s Day 8

Hostess List 9

Highway Cleanup 9

Articles needed 9

Membership Notes 10

Safety Town Help Needed 10

Convention Fun 11

Support our sponsors 11

May meeting agenda 12

Inside this Issue:

June 5 Safety Town Meeting 7:00 AM at the Beanery (page 10)

June 7-Brainerd WT Bachelor/Bachelorette Auction

June 9 Book Discussion at Jen’s House (page 6)

June 10-14 Safety Town-Rippleside Elementary

June 10 Membership meeting MLEC

June 30 Founder’s Day Picnic at Leslie’s (page 8)

July 1 Founder’s Day –lunch at the 40 Club-Noon

July 4-Aitkin WT Food Stand at City Park (page 6)

UPCOMING EVENTS

Have a home based business?

Have a business? Want to help the

Aitkin Women of Today?

If you are or someone you know

would like to advertise in the AWT

newsletter, it is both easy and af-

fordable. For just $10/year, you

can place a business card sized ad

in our newsletter. (See page 11)

Contact me, Jen, for more infor-

mation or to reserve your spot to-

day!

May Membership Meeting

Monday, May 13th, 2013 – Kimberly Town Hall

6pm LPM Training, 6:30pm potluck,Meeting 7pm

AGENDA:

Call to order at 7:01

Pledge of Allegiance – Tammie

US Woman of Today Creed – Jessi

Introduction of Guests – None

Invocation – Amanda

Ice Breaker – Heidi – “Favorite potluck food”

Guest Speaker – Roxy Hoppe, postponed to June meeting

OFFICER REPORTS:

*Parliamentarian – Heidi, 18/32 quorum established

-Orders of the day – Elected Jessy as PVP

*Secretary's Report – Jessi, April Minutes approved

*PALS-Sarah-Requested for Brainerd to be our PALS Chapter

-4/13/13-Met Brainerd Chapter & President Nicky at The

Hubb. Listened to music & danced the night away. Fun

times. 4 members, 3 non-members. Thank you to Amanda

& Dustin, Leslie & Gaylen, Heather,Sarah & Jeremy

-6/7/13 Brainerd Chapter-Bachelor/Bachelorette Auction,

at Shep's

-6/28/13-6/29/13 Brainerd Lakes Jam-at BIR, volunteer to

work REO Speedwagon playing

-Jessi-Will be contacting Brainerd for Mini Golf

*Treasurer's Report-none

*State Delegate-Heidi-Convention Trivia

-Convention: 10 members going, arranging carpooling,

5/17/13-5/19/13 at Kelly Inn in Saint Cloud, MN, Recy-

cling eyeglasses and cell phones

-LOTS(Heidi & Amanda) was May 4th, at St Michael/

Albertville attended were: Heather, Amanda and Joy

Amanda-rcvd PEP Course training/credit for chapter for

new team building course

Chapter visitation- Brainerd Membership meeting 5/2/13

6:30 at 1st Lutheran Church in Brainerd, 3 members attend-

ed, Heather, Amanda and Cathy.

Also reported about Brainerd's upcoming events as listed

under PALS

-Amanda's Theme: “From there to here, and here to there,

having fun everywhere!” Encouraging visitations and par-

ticipations on all levels. Doing point system incentives: 1pt

if attended, 2pts for chairing, 3 pts for another chapter's

function, 4pts for district events & 5pts for state conven-

tion/meeting/etc.

-Statewide Buckets of Sunshine: Kody's Closet. Article in

the newsletter & follow on Facebook. Get informed and

involved in the cause. Kody's Closet is having a silent auc-

tion fundraiser on 6/1/13 from 6-8pm @ Moose on Monroe

in Minneapolis(Flyer passed out). Contact Amanda if you

are interested in going.

*Membership VP – Heather – Signed 4 new members:

Dorothy, Jess, Annette & Brenda

-Social Committee-Amanda/Heather-No report

-Out & About with Woman of Today, April 19th at the

Beanery, signed 2 new members at the event

*President's Report- Heather-Thanked Jessy for her service

as president last year

-Board Meeting Date 5/27/13

-Heather's Theme: “Live the life you have imagined”

-All American Chapter-Jessy Pending

-Meeting Hostesses for 2013-2014

-On Time prize & 3 minute reports

*Programming VP-Leslie- LPM- Positions-2013-2014,

Formal apology to Dawn for missing her in the Newsletter

-Held LPM Orientation 5/13/13 from 6-6:30. Thank you

new LPMs.

-Had a drawing for 2 more gift cards from last years LPMs.

Winners: Heather and Heidi

-Jessy-Welcome to the new LPMs.

-Theme for 2013-2014: “Programming is here to pump you up!”

-District meeting: Do we want to host? Get a hold of Melis-

sa Robbins

PROGRAMMING AREAS:

*External-Coins for causes $14.17

*Youth of Today: No report

-OYA-No report

-Safety Town-June 10th – 14th, Next meeting at the Birch-

wood on 5/16/13 at 6:45am.-Sarah: Leslie, Jen & Sarah met

5/8/13 at the 40 Club-Came up with what we want safety

town instructor to cover. Also found an instructor!!

-Memory Books-Cathy & Amanda-Ordered 400 books and

sold about 330 as of last week. That leaves roughly 65 left.

Lynne is making a weekly announcement to the students to

try to get more sold. Do not have to total bill yet. Will do a

Facebook notification to advertise remaining books.

-Pumpkin Patch-Heather requested a co-chair to help Su-

zanne. Date is 10/6/13

-Kid's week- Generally the 3rd week in August-need a

chair:Brenda volunteered

*Isaac’s Foundation- Heidi: Totals will be at convention. -

Year end showed good numbers, can still buy calendars, t-

shirts, cookbooks and bracelets

*Community Connections-Joy/Sarah

-Last chance to donate to the Anna Marie's House. Thank

you to Leslie & Jolene for your donations.

-Duck Races-Dorothy will help Heather make some calls.

-Community Meal-Joy 7/22/13, we need to make cookies

and donate milk.

*Women's Wellness- Sara

-May 4th 8am-12pm, March of Dimes walk: Nina and

Family were the ambassador team. Also won award for

best veteran team. Raised $3,000.00 for the March of

Dimes. 2 Member participated, 20 non-members. Hoping

more can walk next year. Great Experience.

-5/7/13- 8members & 1 guest tried yoga at the CAM Center

with Amanda Voller. Very relaxing and rejuvenating. They

have $40.00 massages this month!!! Thank you Joy, Leslie,

Jody, Jolene, Roxy, Dawn, Sarah, Annette & Guest, Jean.

INTERNAL

Ways & Means- no report.

Records & Recognition- Amanda- - Continuing my file

scanning throughout this year. Please be sure to get digital

copies of project reports to me as you wrap them up and

give me any hardcopy project files that you may have at

home yet.

- This year my goal is to start managing our chapter photos.

I will be bringing my laptop to each membership meeting

and ask members to bring their camera memory card so

that I may copy the pictures onto a chapter USB drive spe-

cifically for picture storage. We need to get away from

passing out hardcopies of pictures to everyone. Keeping

pictures digital will allow us to get more onto our website

and Facebook for PR reasons and get dispersed to members

to people can choose to print the pictures they wish to have

without so much waste. We want to be Digital Digital Digi-

tal as much as possible!

*SUCCESS-Amanda- Submitted success for 3rd tri. Scored

1962 points, which is 500 more than 3rd tri last year.

*Living & Learning: Amanda-

- 44 certifications completed this year by chapter. Great

job! Let’s make that number even higher this year and

hopefully get more members to participate.

-Aitkin received PEP course credit for Heather, Joy, and

Amanda participating in the new Team-building course

offered at LOTS.

-Joy received Step 1 & 2 pins and Jessi received step 1 pin

Certification & Impromptu Speaking night held Wed 4/17

at Aitkin Public Library. 5 members attended: Leslie,

Heather, Sarah, Amanda, & Joy, as well as one prospective:

Dorothy (now member). We got 9 more certifications

completed that night. Everyone participated in Impromptu

speaking. Audience members critiqued speakers, rated

their performance, and gave helpful suggestions. Awards

were given for following categories: Best overall (Heather),

Most Relatable (Sarah), Most Inspiring/Motivational (Joy),

Most Personal (Leslie), Funniest (Dorothy) and Toughest

Subject (Amanda). Everyone did great job and would love

to do this more in future.

*Book Club- Leslie reported: No one was at the 4/7/13

meeting. -Next meeting is 6/9/13 at Jen's home.

*Newsletter- Jen -Newsletter deadline is 5/29/13

*Public Relations- Jody stepped up to take on this role.

-Social Media: No report

-Founder's Day, July 1st- Jody Lunch at the 40 Club

-Founder's Day Picnic-Leslie 6/30/13 at Leslie's home.

Come at 3pm. Kids games at 4pm, dinner at 5pmand Bon-

fire at 7pm. -Please bring salad, dessert,chips, etc. Bring

your own beverage.

-Need someone to plan kid's games. Sign up was passed

around.

ONGOING BUSINESS:

*Installation Banquet – no report

*Elections-No report

-PVP needed: Jessy was previously elected

*Memorial Day Cookie Sale- Leslie-On 5/24/13, 9-5(time

change) in front of the office shop by 8am. Plate cookies ½

or 1 dozen. Sign-up sheet on clipboard, reminders passed

out. Need help with tear down at 5pm or sooner. No refrig-

erated cookies.

*Camp out-Amanda -- August 16-18, South Isle Family

Campground. I need rough idea of how many sites will

need. Sign up going around.

*4th of July Concessions- Leslie/Heidi- 4pm-10pm -new

regulations. Waco Taco/root beer float(tentative ideas)

*Riverboat Days

-Parade: Float Creation day at Jessi's home on 8/1/13. Any

ideas are welcome.

-Kiddie Parade: need a chair

-Library Party: Joy/Roxy-no report

*Bi-Law Discussion: Heidi – went over the proposed by-

law change at convention. Put to a vote after discussion. No

was the vote.

NEW BUSINESS

*AADA Community Service Auction-Amanda/Jessi- Pro-

posed fundraiser to buy a swingset for the AADA/Remnica

House. Looking into the feasibility of this with the student

adviser, Nicole Doyle. Thinking February/March.

*Highway Clean-up-Jody, 5/26/13 at 6pm potluck after

cleaning

*Dump run-Leslie, was approached to see if we would like

to take it on. Voted on no. Not this year.

*Chapter T-shirts-Amanda - I’m going to speak to Shirts

Plus about getting more shirts for new members and getting

another style available in the same color for those interest-

ed. Hope to have options and prices at next month’s meet-

ing.

*Relay for Life- Amanda - - Would like to have a Women

of Today team for the Relay for Life on July 26. Anyone

willing to co-chair? Sign-up went around for those interest-

ed in participating.

M/S/P: Heidi/Cathy Nominate Jessy as PVP, Jessy voted

in as PVP

M/S/P: Leslie/Jody to spend up to $5.00 for the Founder's

Day Picnic to purchase hot dogs, brats, buns & game priz-

es.

M/S/P: Leslie/Cathy-Round up to $25.00 Coins for Causes

and donate to the American Legion Auxiliary Poppy Pro-

gram.

M/S/P: -Jessy/Leslie Purchase the current Living & Learn-

ing Manual from the state Store.

Sunshine: Sarah won

Good & Welfare

Benediction-Amanda

MN Women of Today Creed-Joy

Adjourn at 9:04pm

Submitted by Jessi Goble

PAGE 4 AIT KIN WO MEN O F TO D A Y

Celebrate! Hostess May Meeting Sarah and Dorothy

6:30 Social

7:00 Meeting

Mille Lacs Energy

Meeting Room

Birthdays:

Jody S. 2nd

Leslie 3rd

Anniversaries

Leslie 4th

Amanda 21st

Jessi Goble 30th

June Sunshine:

Sarah

Our Former State Delegate says….

State Delegate Report Annual Convention, 2013

A fantastic time was had by all at our An-

nual Convention this year. We had so many Aitkin

awards that it was really impressive! We will be

celebrating these awards at our general member-

ship meeting, and I cannot wait! The official list

will be posted in the next newletter to keep this

meeting a secret as to what we will be presenting...

We had 10 members attend Annual Conven-

tion. They were Jen, Leslie, Jodie, Roxy, Heidi,

Jessy, Amanda, Heather, Sarah S., and Cathy. Pic-

tures were taken, roundtables were attended, nu-

merous trips up for collecting awards were made

by Jessy, and a rounding "No" vote was given by

Aitkin for the tier motion for the under 40 rule.

We will try our best to bring the excite-

ment of the Convention back to our General Mem-

bership meeting, and come prepared to cele-

brate! All that we accomplished this year as a local

chapter and as a part of our State, was by far, the

best we have done in a long time...We will hear all

about it, and celebrate again, with you, the local

chapter. You will be very proud, very proud. See

you at the meeting,

Heidi, State Delegate 2012-13

Our New State Delegate says….

Mark your calendars for our district meeting

scheduled to be Saturday July 13. Aitkin has

been asked to host the district meeting, and the

best part of that means no big traveling in order

to attend! You’ll hear more details soon from the

chair of the event, but for right now just get it in

your planner so we can have a strong showing of

Aitkin members to kick off the 2013-2014 year

for District 3.

Other upcoming events to consider this summer:

- Friday, June 7: Brainerd chapter’s Annual Bach-

elor/Bachelorette Auction, 8:00pm at Shep’s in

Brainerd. Proceeds from the event go to Habitat

for Humanity. This is fun event and a great way

to support our PALS chapter.

- Saturday, July 27: MNWT’s Train the Trainer

seminar. This is a professional development

training course. I have additional information for

anyone interested.

- Saturday, August 10: MNWT Foundation Fund-

raiser, dinner cruise in the cities. I will have a

flier and details available for anyone interested.

Please contact me if you have any interest or

want more details in any of these events. Thanks!

Amanda Byrnes, State Delegate 2013-14

So...why do we have a State Delegate anyway? And what exactly is it that she does?

The State Delegate’s job is to be a liaison between the chapter and the district, state and national organization.

She helps us stay informed about upcoming events, meetings, and important business. Her job is to also to

encourage attendance of members and report on the business and awards that result at those meetings and

events. Have a question about a meeting or event, ask the State Delegate, she will help you find out.

PAGE 5

MEMORIAL COOKIE BAKE SALE

A huge thank you to those that baked for our Third Annual Memorial Day Cookie

Bake Sale. I know everyone’s schedule is so busy at this time of year, but you did

it! Our chapter appreciates it! Those that were cookie bakers are: Jen K.,

Heather, Jessi G., Roxy, Sarah, Jody S., Annette, Samantha, Jackie, Dawn, and

myself. I apologize if I left anyone out. (Please let me know!). We earned our

chapter $250-a good startup for our new year. Please submit your recipes if you

haven’t already done so. Leslie

Family Campout

As of right now, the annual family campout is set for the weekend of

August 16-18 at South Isle Family Campground. I only have 4 people

down as attending and would really like to have a better turnout

since this is such a great fellowship event for our chapter. I am won-

dering if it is the weekend that maybe isn’t working for people, in

which case I want to propose the weekend of August 23-25 as an

alternative to see if it works better for more people. Please email or

call me to let me know which weekend works better for you so we

can have a weekend set for the membership meeting because I will

need to make reservations for the number of sites we’ll need very

soon. Thanks, Amanda

Relay for Life

I’m putting to-

gether a chap-

ter Relay for Life

team to walk on

July 26. I’m

looking for

members who

will help fundraise, decorate

luminaries, and walk with us

throughout the night of the

event. Please contact me as

soon as possible if you’re will-

ing to participate or help out in

some way. Thanks! Amanda

Ideas Needed!Ideas Needed!Ideas Needed! Riverboat Days is less

than two months away

and it is time to brain-

storm for fantastic float

ideas! I am not the most

creative brain in this or-

ganization so I need your

help! Heather's theme is

"Live the life you have imagined!"

I would love to use this as out

jumping off point! In my brain is

an idea of dressing up as some-

thing you have always wanted to

be or something you have wanted

to do. Be creative!

I would also like to pass out

something that

will entice

women to ask

themselves,

"Hey, who are

these women

and how do I

get involved?!"

Let's have fun

with this ladies!

This is our largest stage.

I could be talked into an

award/gift for the best ideas in

both catagories! Email me with

your fantastic ideas at

jessimack23@yahoo.com .

Jessi

http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=z1InMVDAGGKhwM&tbnid=myUGDWgn6zEfPM:&ved=0CAgQjRwwAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.forbes.com%2Fsites%2Fwork-in-progress%2F2011%2F07%2F12%2Fdid-cookie-monster-mislead-us%2F&ei=nSGHUZrpO6zQywGFwoGgBw&p

PAGE 6 AIT KIN WO MEN O F TO D A Y

Book Club List for 2013-14

What follows is the list of books for reading this year. We will

discuss each book listed in the month following. So, the May

book will be discussed in June and so on. Note: The summer

months have two books listed; you and read one or both.

May “The Light Between Oceans” by M.L. Stedman

June “The End of the Affair” by Graham Greene and

“Killing Kennedy: The End of Camelot” by Bill

O’Reilly

July “Wildflowers” by Robert Noonan and

“A Secret Kept” by Tatiana de Rosnay

August “Mennonite in a Little Black Dress: A Memoir of Go

ing Home” by Rhonda Janzen and

“Still Alice” by Lisa Genova

September “Stones from the River” by Ursula Hegi

October "The Paris Wife," by Paula McLain

November “The Autobiography of Eleanor Roosevelt” by El

eanor Roosevelt

December “The Burning” by Jane Casey

January “Sum It Up: 1,098 Victories, A Couple of Irrelevant

Losses, and a Life in Perspective” by Pat Summitt and

Sally Jenkins

February “A Thousand Splendid Suns” by Khaled Hosseini

March “What Alice Forgot” by Liane Moriarty.

April “Shelter Me” by Juliette Fay

4th of July Concessions

This year’s menu, for the 4th of July celebration, is

bottled water, root beer, root beer floats, and walko

tacos. We will have a signup sheet at the membership

meeting. The following are times that we need you to

work:

4:30-6:30-2 members

6:30-8:30-3 members

8:30-10:00-3 members

If you can do more than one shift that would be won-

derful! If you can only give an hour, find someone in

that same situation and split the shift with them.

For those of you who cannot be there for the event,

donating a bucket of vanilla ice cream would be a way

that you could take part in it. Any donations would be

great! We will have a signup sheet for that, also.

If you will not be at the meeting, please

give us a call and tell us what you can do

to help with this fun event!

Co-Chairpersons-Heidi and Leslie

Aitkin Women of Today Book Club Hello ladies!! We’ll be meeting once a month regularly on the second Sunday of the month. June’s meeting will be

on the 9th 7:00 at my house. I hope you can all make it. Not sure who all is reading our first book, but I’ve found

it an interesting read.

Of course after setting the book club meetings for the second Sunday, I realize that I have a conflict with the July

meeting and will be out of town at a family reunion. So, we will have to decide if we still want to meet on that date

or change the meeting. Let me know your wishes and/or we can discuss at the June meeting. I was hoping to

push the July discussion back to the third Sunday, July 21.

Also, we’re looking for someone to hostess in July. Let me know.

Happy reading everyone! I hope you enjoy June’s selections. ~Jen

1st Trimester Membership Renewals

Yes, it is time to talk of membership renew-

als., which are due in July. I would personally

like to invite each one of you to renew your

membership with the Aitkin Women of Today.

To steal a phrase from American Express,

“Membership has it’s Privileges”. Think back upon the last year

with the Aitkin chapter. We have given away thousands of dollars

in our community. We’ve eaten meals together, played games,

met for coffee and had a tremendous amount of fun with each

other and our families. We have learned so much with speakers

at meetings, attending conventions, going on ‘field trips’, and the

list goes on. Without your membership in Women of Today, life

might go on, but it’s a lot more fun and meaningful with Women

of Today in your life. Consider renewing today. Membership re-

newals are only $45.00 and good for one whole year. Please

bring your renewal $$ to the next membership meeting or you

might also send to the chapter PO Box 245, Aitkin, MN 56431

Emily Bellah

Michelle Elias

Joy Gruhlke

Jodie Johnson

Amy Kraushaar

Suzanne LaLond

Jessica Goble

Jessy McShane

Jan Moriarty

Bonnie O’Neil

Programming Programming, who has got info on PROGRAMMING!!! This year we will take a section of our newsletter and highlight areas of programming that you may not know too much about!! This month, LIVING

AND LEARNING!

Living and Learning (LL) Promotes participation and provides information and ideas in the areas of personal growth of members: intellec-tually, spiritually, civically, and through family. Also promotes the Effective Writing, Speaking, and Impromptu competitions as well as the Women who Impact Awards. She also oversees invocations and benedictions at meet-

ings!

This years Living and Learning LPM (Local Programming Manager) is Jolene Gansen!! Thanks Jolene for leading us this year!

Jessy McShane Programming VP

PAGE 7

From our Programming Vice President…...

Community Connections

I have been thinking about all I do as an LPM and one thing caught my attention was the Outstanding

Person with Developmental Challenges Award. I thought of one person and in talking with people in

the community another person was suggested. I would like to know if you have anyone you can

think of for this award. If you do please email me at joygruhlke@gmail.com I would love to hear

any ideas you have for this award. I will be more than honored to consider and maybe even nominate

someone for this award.

-Joy, Community Connections

Records & Recognition

I am working on continuing our project file scanning

and my hope is to have them completed so that by

the end of the year we are running our projects and

events off of completely digital files. My goal is to

also take on storing and organizing our chapter pho-

tos. In an effort to make photo sharing more effi-

cient and less wasteful, I am asking that members

get me a digital copy of the pictures they take at

the various AWT events throughout the year. Any

way you want to get them to me digitally should work

- email, jump drive, CD, or best of all, I can just

copy them straight from your camera’s memory card

to my computer. With that in mind, I will be sure

to have my laptop available at all membership meet-

ings so that we can just do the digital sharing right

then and there. Please bring your memory cards or

any other format of digital photos so we can stay

current on sharing them.

Amanda Byrnes

Records & Recognition LPM

Your Programming Information Attention LPMs. I’m looking for a few articles to place in

our programming section of the newsletter. It can be

just about anything; an update on a project, educational

information about your area, a plea for assistance, a

drawing or fundraiser, a thank you, or just about any-

thing you can come up with. Ideally, I’d like to have two-

three pages of the newsletter dedicated to program-

ming.

Can you help me out? Thank you in advance to those

of you who have already sent me items and for those

who will send to me in the future.

Jen

PAGE 8 AIT KIN WO MEN O F TO D A Y

Founder’s Day Lunch Just a quick note for Founders Day July 1st at 12 noon at the For-

ty Club for lunch nothing fancy just good food and GREAT Fellow-

ship Jody

FOUNDERS’ DAY PICNIC

WHEN: June 30, 2013

WHERE: Leslie Goble’s Home

30731 Pioneer Avenue

TIME: 3:00 pm.-Start

4:00-Kids’ games

5:00-Eat

7:00-Bonfire

PROVIDED: Hot dogs, brats, buns, & condiments

BRING: Salad, Chips, Beans, or Dessert

Your own beverages

Chairs

**Signup sheet will be passed around at the

meeting. So far, we have about 24 of us (this is

open to family members) ready to PARTY! Let’s

celebrate our MNWT beginnings from back on July

1, 1985! Leslie

A little Women of Today history and why we celebrate Founder’s Day.

Pre-Women of Today

First talk of a state organization was in the fall of 1949, when some Jaycee wives met to discuss it. In May

of 1950, the Mrs. Jaycees of Minnesota was born. During the next five years, we grew to over 60 chap-

ters. In 1957, Minnesota had grown to the largest Mrs. Jaycees organization in the nation with 90 chap-

ters. At Summer Awards 1974, we celebrated our 25th anniversary. In 1979 our membership had grown

to 5000. In 1982-83 affiliation was a big issue. The US Jaycees said there had to be a Jaycee chapter in

order to have a Jaycee Women chapter in the community. We worked closely with the Jaycees to establish

Jaycee chapter so that no Jaycee Women chapters would be lost.

On July 3, 1984, the Supreme Court ruled that women must be allowed membership privileges in the Jay-

cees. In April 1985, the US Jaycee Women Executive Council drafted a resolution to dissolve the US Jay-

cee Women on July 1, 1985. The membership voted on and passed that resolution at the Indianapolis

National Convention on June 17, 1985. At this convention, a special meeting was held with those interest-

ed in reorganizing as the Women of Today.

Women of Today

The US Women of Today held a mid-year meeting to form the following committees: By-laws, Future Direc-

tions, Programming, and Finance. A national creed and logo were developed at that same time.

By July 1986 the following states had Women of Today chapters: Minnesota, Washington, Arkansas, Illi-

nois, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, South Dakota, Nebraska, California, North Dakota, Iowa,

Montana, New Jersey, Idaho, Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Tennessee, and Wyoming. By 1989

the US Women of Today included an all-time high of 18 states and 5,273 members.

As of the end of year 1997, the US Women of Today have donated over $10,000,000. The year ended

with 4,045 members, 219 chapters and 17 states.

The Minnesota Women of Today is growing again for the first time since 1986. We are a great organiza-

tion available for women from age 18 years and above, who wish to make new friends, learn and estab-

lish leadership skills and voluntarily contribute to our communities, states and nation.

*Information taken from the Minnesota Women of Today website. www.mnwt.org

PAGE 9

Highway Clean-Up Highway cleanup will be resched-

uled for sometime in June. The

weather just would not cooperate.

Watch your email inbox for a new

date and time. Thank you, Jody

Hostess Sign Up Sheet

A thank you to those that signed up for hostessing at one of our chapter meetings. You are:

May-Roxy June-Sarah & Dorothy

July-Leslie & Joy August-Jolene & Suzanne

September-Jen October-Jessi & Jessy

January-Sam, Michelle, Emily, Amy, & Jackie

So, if you do not see your name, we need YOU! Needs are for one hostess for September and two hostesses for the months of November, February, March, and April. We are also looking for someone to open up their home for the December Christmas meeting. As a hostess you will need to pick up the key for MLEC on the day of the meeting, provide a snack and beverage, and have tables and chairs set up by 6:30. You will also need to clean up after the meeting, put away the tables and chairs, and lock up MLEC (key is returned in their outdoor slot). Hostesses may also set a theme for the meeting, if they wish. Contact Heather about that. Thanks! Leslie

Directions to Jody’s House:

Jody lives at 30824 Pioneer Avenue

To get to Jody’s: At the stoplight in Aitkin,

head West on Highway 210. Drive 3 miles

until you reach County Road 28/Pioneer

Avenue. Travel 4.7 miles and Jody’s House

will be on your left.

Wanted: LPM, Project Chair and Officer Articles

When: By June 26th

Why: Because members want to know what’s

happening with the Aitkin WT

Where: Send to awtnewsletter@gmail.com

How: By email (preferred) or by phone

Who: Your newsletter LPM, Jen

http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=z1InMVDAGGKhwM&tbnid=myUGDWgn6zEfPM:&ved=0CAgQjRwwAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.forbes.com%2Fsites%2Fwork-in-progress%2F2011%2F07%2F12%2Fdid-cookie-monster-mislead-us%2F&ei=nSGHUZrpO6zQywGFwoGgBw&p

PAGE 10 AIT KIN WO MEN O F TO D A Y

Heather! Good luck on your year as

President!! I know you will do FAN-

TASTIC!! LOVE YOU!!

~Jessy

Thanks to everyone for thinking I’m

worthy of the Aitkin Outstanding

Woman of Today given at our Installa-

tion Banquet and the Presidential Pin

from Annual Convention. I’ve been

very humbled by the recognition. It’s

really what all of you do that inspires

me to be active in our chapter and

aspires me to continue to do more.

~Thanks again, Amanda

Congratulations Jessy and Amanda

with our last trimester and yearend

Success placing! Awesome job! Great

leadership and for working so hard on

the paperwork to get those points!

Thanks for excellent effort! ~Jen

Thank you to Jessy McShane, Amanda

Byrnes, Sarah Steinkopf Suzanne

LaLond, and Samantha Rassier for all

your help.

~Angie Stember

Joy - Your enthusiasm is a wonderful

asset to our chapter. Keep up the great

work!

~Heather

Thank you to all the Heather, Jody,

Jessy, Jessi, Amanda, Heidi and Joy for

your newsletter articles. Our newslet-

ter is informative and fun because of

you! Keep up the great work! And keep

submitting to the newsletter!

~Jen

Thank you, Leslie, for chairing the Me-

morial Day Cookie sale last week! What

a scrumptious way to start our year!

~Heather

Thank you to my Safety Town

Committee! It has been great

working with you this year and I

look forward to another suc-

cessful year bringing safety

education to the children of

Aitkin. Couldn’t do it without

you!

~Jen

Heidi - You have been such a

wonderful State Delegate this

last year. Thanks for taking care

of us at convention! ~Heather

Amanda - Thanks for all your

hard work on SUCCESS this last

year. I know it's a chapter ef-

fort, but we couldn't have done

it without your diligence and

organization. Looking forward to

another great year in SUCCESS!

~Heather

Safety Town Volunteers Needed

Safety Town will be held June 10-14 at Rippleside Elementary. The week is a busy one and

many volunteers are needed to make this project a success. While we do recruit volunteers

from other organizations, our own members have a chance to volunteer. Volunteers are needed

for set-up on Friday, June 7 during the day, mostly after noon. Committee members and I will be

in the Music Room, old gym and in the new gym/cafeteria to get ready for Monday’s beginning.

Also, each day during Safety Town, adult volunteers are needed in each classroom from about

8:15 until 12:00. As a classroom volunteer, you will be in the classroom during speaker presen-

tations. You are basically another presence in the classroom to assist the teen helpers. Pretty

low-key. On Friday, I will need some extra helpers, who might like to go on the field trip with the

7 year olds. It would involve walking downtown, to the Sheriff’s Office and

back to Rippleside. Let me know if you are interested in the job/s. Thank

you in advance for you help and assistance.

If you are able to volunteer please contact me by email jenste-

vekinz@charter.net or phone: 218-927-4337.

Thank you. Jen

PAGE 11 N EWSL ETTER TITL E

Newsletter Editor: Jen Kinzer

Email: awtnewsletter@gmail.com

Address: 259 Ripple River Dr., Aitkin, MN

56431 Phone: 218-927-4337

Check us out at: www.mnwt.org

Next membership meeting: June 10, 2013

At the MLEC Meeting Room

Social Time 6:30 and Meeting: 7:00

Fun times at Convention 2013. Thank you for a great year, Miss Membership!

June Membership Meeting

Monday, June 10, 2013

MLEC, 6:30 social, 7:00 meeting

AGENDA

Call to order

Pledge of Allegiance – Amy

U.S. Women of Today Creed – Jolene

Introduction of guests

Invocation - Jolene

Ice breaker – Sarah / Dorothy

Guest Speaker – Roxy Hoppe, CPS3 Study

Officer Reports

Parliamentarian – Heidi

Orders of the day

Secretary’s report – Jessi

Approval of May minutes

PALS – Jessi

Mini-golf

Treasurer’s report – Suzanne / Roxy

Budget – Roxy, committee?

State delegate – Heidi / Amanda

Annual convention, St. Cloud, May 17-19

Membership VP – Jen

New member installation

Renewal ceremony

Social committee – Amanda / Heather

President’s report – Heather

Board meeting June 24th, 7:00, Heather’s house

Social committee

Programming VP – Jessy

Programming Areas

External – Coins for Causes

Youth of Today – Dawn

OYA – Dawn

Safety Town – Jen – June 10-14

Memory Books – Cathy/Amanda

Pumpkin Patch – Suzanne – 10-6

Kids Week – Brenda – Aug.

Isaacs Foundation – Cathy

Community Connections – Joy

Anna Marie House – Sarah, paper goods collection

Duck races – Heather / Dorothy

Community meal – Joy, 7-22

Fourth of July concessions – Heidi / Leslie

Relay for Life – Amanda / Heather

Women’s Wellness – Nina

Internal

Ways and Means – Jody

Records and Recognition - Amanda

Success – Amanda

Living and Learning – Jolene

Book club – Jen, 06-09, 7:00

Newsletter – Jen

Public Relations – Jody

Social media – Amanda

Founder’s Day – Jody, 40 Club, 07-01

Founder’s Day picnic – Leslie, 06-30

Ongoing business

Memorial weekend cookie sale – Leslie, 05-24

Campout – Amanda, Aug. 16-18?

Riverboat Days

Parade – Jessi

Kiddie parade - ?

Library party – Joy / Roxy

Highway clean-up – Jody, reschedule for June

New business

AADA Community Service Auction – Amanda / Jessi

T-shirts – Amanda

Scrapbooking committee – Amanda

School pictures – need chair

Sunshine –

Good and welfare

Benediction – Jolene

MN Women of Today creed – Tammie

Adjourn

MN Women of Today Creed

We, the Women of Today, are service, growth and

fellowship. We believe that through us great lessons

can be learned, worthy deeds performed, and a hand

of fellowship extended to millions of women every-

where. May we leave the world a better place because

we lived and served within it.

US Women of Today Creed

We, the United States Women of Today, are dedicated

to serving our community and nation, are committed

to strengthening our individual talents, and stand unit-

ed by our friendship and belief in the future.