Frequently Asked Questions

The General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC) is an International women’s organization dedicated to community improvement by enhancing the lives of others through volunteer service. GFWC clubs and clubwomen are the heart of not only the Federation, but the communities in which they live and work.

A non-profit volunteer organization, 501(c)(3), whose purpose is to promote and provide community charitable, educational and philanthropic activities.

There are currently 189 GFWC clubs in Florida grouped into 14 Districts. GOWC belongs to district 5; which includes Cedar Key, Alachua, Crystal River, Gainesville, High Springs, Inverness, Ocala, and Williston.

Attend two meetings, or one meeting and one club event; submit an application for

membership with fees to the Membership Chairman. Completed applications for

membership are then referred to the Board of Directors for approval.

$80 the first year (Initiation fee $15 / Annual Fee $53 / Name Badge $12) and $53 thereafter.

Attend at least three (3) meetings or two (2) meetings and one (1) event. Participate in at least one Community Service Program (CSP), Standing or Special Committee.

Community Service Programs

↠ The Community Service Programs help clubs light a path for the future and better address the current and upcoming needs of its community. The CSPs include Arts and Culture, Civic Engagement and Outreach, Education and Libraries, Environment, Health and Wellness, and special programs in Domestic and Sexual Violence Awareness and Prevention.

↠ Each month a CSP is responsible for presenting at the general meeting a speaker or activity. Each CSP can use up to $50 toward table decorations or paying for dinner for guest speaker(s), etc.

$23 for dinner or $25 for dinner and entry for door prize. When attending monthly dinner/meetings, members must notify the 1st Vice President 72 hrs prior to meeting if they cannot attend (e-mail reminder is sent out). If a member indicates they will attend a meeting and fails to attend, they are still responsible for the $23 dinner fee.

↠ General Dinner Meetings are held September - May, on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at the Ocala Golf Club. 

↠ A GOWC fundraiser raised $2,500 to provide a scholarship to Camp Boggy Creek for critically ill children. GOWC has sewn over 1000 bears of various designs, so each child can take a special bear. home

↠ For the past several years GOWC has distributed items received from CC’s Wish List, a nonprofit organization under the Lavin Family Foundation from Chicago. In the spring of 2023 the donated clothing and other items were worth approximately $70,000 and were distributed to Arnette House, Ritz, Project Hope, Kids Central, and Sozo Kids.

↠ The fourth Heart of the Hero Fundraiser, honoring heroes in our community was held in early 2024. The fundraiser provided $10,000 for Project Hope, a non-profit organization, established in 2007 by a faith-based community group, to provide solutions for homelessness among women and their children.

↠ The Domestic and Sexual Violence Awareness and Prevention Community Service Program (CSP) was responsible for the general meeting speaker. Their speaker was a former domestic violence victim, survivor and now conqueror advocating for current victims who shared her story.

↠ The Civic Engagement & Outreach CSP general meeting focused on November being National Native American Heritage month. The contributions of our first nations people to american culture were presented by guests of Native American heritage. They provided examples of the contributions, e.g., food, medicine, environment