Executive Committee

MARIANNE POTTER

Marianne Potter joined the GFWC Stevens Point Junior Woman's Club in the fall of 1988 and the GFWC Stevens Point Woman's Club in 1993.  Since 1988 Marianne has served in many club leadership roles including club department co-chairman of Home Life, Education and the Arts, vice president, and president for both clubs.  She has been a member of the GFWC-WI board of directors since 1990 when she served as 7^th District Junior Director; since that time, she has served in various leadership roles including GFWC - WI Director of Junior Clubs (1993-1996); GFWC- WI Recording Secretary (1996-1998); GFWC -WI Corresponding Secretary (1998-2000); and is currently serving as GFWC-WI President-elect.  Marianne has also been a member of the GFWC Board of Directors since 1993 and served on the GFWC Executive Committee from 2000-2002 as GFWC Director of Junior Clubs.  During the 2006-2008 administration, she is the Great Lakes Region representative on the Public Policy Committee

In addition to her GFWC work, Marianne is a full time English teacher at Stevens Point Area Senior High School; Marianne is co-advisor of the school's National Honor Society and co-chairman of the senior service day.  Marianne and Jim have been married for 29 years and have four children. Liz is a chemistry teacher in the Antioch, IL school district (and a member of a junior club in Illinois); Rebecca graduated in December from UW-Platteville with a degree in Elementary Education; Erin is a junior nursing student at Arizona State University; and Phillip is a sophomore studying psychology at St. Cloud University and is a member of the swim team.  In her spare time she enjoys knitting and reading.

Marianne truly believes in the benefits of belonging to GFWC.  Her membership has brought her many new friends as well as an avenue to help others.  She is looking forward to continuing serving the members of GFWC-WI during the 2008-2010 administration.

GFWC-WI 1^st Vice President

GERRI STREGE

Hello-----my name is Gerri Strege and I have been endorsed by the GFWC Woman's Club of Hartland to serve as First Vice President for GFWC-Wisconsin during the upcoming term.  I am a relative newcomer to GFWC having joined the Hartland Club in 1998.  I immediately became involved as Conservation Chairman.  In 2000 I was elected First Vice President and then served as President from 2002-2004.  I am currently serving Hartland as Reservation Chairman and completing a second term as Fifth District Treasurer, as well as Conservation Chair.  I was Conservation Chairman (Beautification) on the GFWC-Wisconsin Board of Directors during the 2004-2006 administration, am currently the GFWC-WI Corresponding Secretary and look forward to serving as First Vice President during the 2008-2010 administration.

I am very active at my church and enjoy being a lector, leading the RCIA program and volunteering on the CRHP program.   I am serving my second term on the Parish Council and have recently been elected as a Parish Trustee.  I actually retired in 2006, but currently work about 20 hours a week, in the finance department, at Rogers Memorial Hospital.

I am married to Keith, a warm, caring, gentle man; together we raised 3 grown sons.  We have been blessed with 2 daughters-in-law and 2 grand daughters.  They have impacted me in ways that they will never know.  Having grandchildren and watching them grow is my greatest joy and contribution to my world.  I enjoy the out of doors; taking walks with my husband and dog, boating, fishing, volunteering, being with friends, and of course, "doing nothing".

GFWC-WI 2^nd Vice President

ELLEN WEBER

If you have read my bio on the website, you know most of my history with the GFWC-WI.  I have been a club member of the GFWC-Woman's Community Club of Williams Bay for eight years.  I served in the position of club Secretary, 1^st Vice President, President for three years and currently as Past President Advisor. 

My club level experiences made me feel the need to move on and serve at the District level.  After accepting an opening for Leadership Chairman, I went on to be 1^st Vice President, President and currently am the District Advisor.

Other organizations I am involved with are:  past president of the Walworth County ARC (formerly the Assoc. for Retarded Citizens), current Recording Secretary for the Wisconsin Questers, current president of the Williams Bay Questers Explorare' #839, past president and current advisor for the Delavan Service League (providing Meals on Wheels and Blood Drives in Delavan area) and actively involved with the Walworth County Adult Special Olympics program.  I have also served on the Walworth County Developmentally Disabled Advisory Board, volunteered at Lakeland School for the Handicapped (full time) for 16 years, and served on many other community boards as a volunteer or fundraising chairman.

My husband, David, and I live outside of Williams Bay.  We own a metal fabricating business, Mode Industries, in Delavan.  We have seven children, eight and a half grandchildren, two dogs, a cat and a dozen sheep.  We have three special needs sons that live at home with us and work in the community.  I enjoy quilting, bowling, gardening of any sort, reading, being with my grandchildren, and just being home with a cup of coffee.

I am proud of my connection with the GFWC and the many women I have come to know and call friends.  In speaking with people at conventions and workshops, there are many ideas to be shared-some very good and some with concerns.  Rather than just be a part of the problem or status quo, I would like to be part of the solution and help the GFWC-WI stronger.  I will do whatever I can to help the next administration achieve that goal.

GFWC-WI Treasurer

DIANE CYCHOSZ  

I have lived most of my life in the Stevens Point area and I am now employed at Midwest hardware Association as an Accounting Assistant.  My responsibilities in this position require accuracy and confidentiality when preparing financial and tax reports for our clients.

I have been active at all levels since joining the Stevens Point Woman's Club in 1998, local, district and State.  In addition to being the 2000-2002 clubs Treasurer, I also served on the audit committee from 2002-2004.  Other positions I have held at the club level are Arts Chairman, 2^nd vice-president, 1^st vice-president, and currently I am the President.

At the District level, I was the arts chairman from 2000 – 2006 and have had the honor of serving my District as their treasurer for the 2006-2008 administration.

During the 2004-2006 administration, I served as the Wisconsin helping hands chairman, and had the privilege of being the Wisconsin LEADS representative at the International Convention in Las Vegas in 2005.

In addition to GFWC, quilting is another of my passions.  In 1992 I became a charter member of the Star Point Quilt Guild and served as their Charter Treasurer.  I have held all offices and various chairmanships and was once again elected Treasurer for the 2003-2005 administration.  I also enjoy knitting, crocheting and reading as well as baking and cooking.

I hold the members of GFWC in the highest regard and would appreciate the opportunity to serve an additional term as your State Treasurer and promise to do so with honesty and integrity.

GFWC-WI Corresponding Secretary

MARY SCHMIDT

Hello Federation Members,

I am Mary Schmidt for the Monroe Woman's Club; it would be my honor to be your next GFWC-WI Corresponding Secretary. 

When I joined Monroe Woman's Club, an organization with a rich history of being one of the pillars in the community, I was "going to take a seat in the back row and just relax".   no extra involvement.  That lasted half a year.   During the next eight years I served as our club's Vice President, President, Director, Fundraising co-chairman, Department co-chairman and CIP co-chairman.

Then I attended a First District meeting.  I really like what I saw there, and have served as Art chairman for four years and Corresponding Secretary for two. At my first State Convention I thought, "Wow, there were so many woman clubbers!"  That is where I knew that a difference could be made by many. I have served as your GFWC -WI State Art Co-Chairman for the last two years.

My husband Scott and I own and operate and a large crop, beef, hog farm and an elevator business, Juda Grain Inc. We have been married for 30 years and enjoy traveling to Mexico, North Dakota and Jeep rides.  We have three daughters and two sons in laws. Michele is an Associate Project Manager; Melisa is an Executive Office Manager and a member of Monroe Woman's Club.  Samantha is an Employment Specialist.  We also have two very spoiled dogs of our own along with our two grand dogs.

Outside of the GFWC, I am currently the Monroe Main Street Promotion chairman, treasurer of Green County Crime Stoppers and a member of Girl Scouts of Badger Council and the Monroe FFA Alumni.  I have served on the Girl Scout of Badger Council and Rainbow Child Care Board of Directors.  In my free time I love to throw and work with clay, garden and shop. My favorite foods are salsa and chips.

GFWC has given me insight to continue to better the quality of life in our communities and our state through being part of organization of camaraderie. GFWC also has created a whole new resource link for me. As we come with ideas, comments, projects and interests we are able to see different faces of our state, district and clubs. It would be my honor to serve on the GFWC- WI State Board and be able to share your ideas and concerns.    

GFWC-WI Recording Secretary

KATHY REFFUE

Although I am a native of Beloit, I have lived in Monroe with my husband, Bob, for the last 37 years.  I have a B.S. degree in elementary education and am substituting in the Monroe School District.  In the past, I have worked in the medical records at the Monroe Clinic and as a beautician. 

Now I spend many hours volunteering within the community.  I have co-chaired the Red Cross Bloodmobile for 27 years, helped in a variety of capacities with the Monroe Woman's Club, the Monroe Theatre Guild, the Monroe Clinic Hospital Auxiliary, the Monroe Arts Center, Hospice, and Christmas Stocking.  I have also served as president and been a board of director for several organizations.

My affiliation with GFWC has been varied; Club President, Art Chairman and Christmas Stocking treasurer, First District President, and State Co-Arts Chairman.  I would do my very best to promote and contribute to GFWC-WI as your recording secretary if given the opportunity.  I am blessed with a very understanding husband who supports me in all that I do.  We both feel our church is important in our lives also.  In between all of our commitments, we do love to spend time with our family and friends as well as travel and play golf.

GFWC-WI Director of Junior Clubs

SUSANNE WAY

Susanne joined the Oconomowoc Junior Woman’s Club (OJWC) nearly six years ago because a project of theirs caught her eye. It was the color-coded pediatric bag project that falls under Emergency Services for Children (EMSC). Making a difference for children in emergency situations, as well as the EMS professionals, was something that she became passionate about. Within a short period of joining, and the project being launched, she was set to go into the next administration as the EMSC co-chair.

Instead, however, her husband, Paul, was transferred with his job to Raleigh, North Carolina. Susanne and Frances, their daughter, went along, and within a couple of months of moving in during the 2004 summer, Susanne joined the Wake Forest Junior Woman’s Club. She also immediately started attending GFWC-NC events, and could not stop herself talking about the EMSC need in NC. The GFWC-NC Juniors voted to take on the project as their Junior Special Project during the 2006-2008 administration and raised $55,000 for 430 bags! They will continue their efforts until all transport ambulances (approximately 750) have this essential piece of equipment that organizes the equipment for use in emergency situations.

Susanne became President of the Wake Forest Junior Woman’s Club during 2005/2006, and also joined the Woman’s Club of Raleigh. She was very fortunate to be chosen as the GFWC-NC LEADS candidate in 2006. This is an experience she would recommend to anyone interested in having fabulous training and wanting to get involved in all aspects of GFWC. Susanne had been very involved on the club, district and state levels since GFWC means so much to her.  

Before she knew it, Paul was offered a transfer back to Wisconsin, and as fate would have it, they bought another house in Oconomowoc, in the middle of what is known as ‘Lake Country’. As a born South African, Wisconsin is now ‘home’ for her since this is the third time they have lived there in the past 10 years. And she does not mind the cold either! Moving home made it easy to slip back into school for Frances, church for the family and other activities, like book club, boating on the lakes and life in general. Transferring back to the Oconomowoc Junior Woman’s Club was very easy and a natural fit, and Susanne is actively involved at the club level in a variety of areas. 

Susanne is a great believer in GFWC, and has attended all international conferences since Las Vegas. She knows that she has learned a lot and gained a variety of different experiences as a clubwoman, and would like to inspire others to follow suit. Her administration’s theme will be “Let Your Light Shine” and will focus on leadership and membership with the desire to have a GFWC flame burning across all the GFWC-WI Junior clubs. Communication will be an essential ingredient to get the message across from the top down. Her entire board will be involved in visiting all the Junior clubs throughout the state to make sure the message is delivered in person as well.

GFWC-WI Junior Director Elect

MICHELE KLAGES

I joined the Oconomowoc Junior Woman's Club in April 2006.  In June 2006 I became the clubs recording secretary, also during my first year with the Oconomowoc Juniors I was co-chair for both EMSC and Absolutely Incredible Kids Day.

At the end of my first year in the club I was nominated for President, I accepted this nomination and have been the presiding President since then.  I enjoy the challenges and opportunities this position has offered me.

I am also currently serving my third term as President of the PTO at my son's school and I also serve on the Church Council at my church.

I am married and have 2 children.  In my "spare" time I enjoy spending time with family and friends, playing softball, scrap-booking, and biking.

I am looking forward to this next journey within GFWC-WI!!