On October 13, 2022, President Brenda Whitfield called the meeting to order at 2 p.m. at the Iuka Library.  Pat Nichols was the hostess and Catherine Thomas presented the program. Members stood for the Pledge of Allegiance, and Brenda gave a devotional on how our lives often touch others and read a scripture passage from Matthew 25:35.  She then offered the invocation.

Members present were Brenda Whitfield, Beverly Estes, Catherine Thomas, Jo Russell, Brenda Irwin, Pat Nichols, and Sandy Travis.  We especially missed those members who were absent for various reasons. Everyone present wore pink in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness month.  President Brenda Whitfield presented members with pink scarves with the BCA logo and pink ribbons. September meeting’s minutes were unanimously approved.

Members enjoyed light refreshments while Catherine gave a very informative and interesting program about the history of the Mississippi Federation of Women’s Clubs (MFWC), “Bloom Where You Are Planted - Getting Back to Our Roots.” Catherine highlighted many community projects initiated by or adopted by the Iuka 20th Century Club in the 1950’s including being instrumental in recruiting physicians to Iuka resulting in the establishment of the 7-bed Cosby Clinic, building a new gymnasium at the school, painting the new gym, creating parking area for downtown Iuka, music concerts, and receiving the $10,000 prize with which the youth center at Mineral Springs Park was built in the 1950s.  The MFWC State President’s Special project for 2022-24 includes promoting libraries, education, and literacy.  Catherine will lead an initiative for members to read to children at different elementary, preschool, or daycare locations in order to promote literacy and a love of reading. We hope to continue the tradition of those successful projects established in years past.

Brenda Whitfield presented the financial report in treasurer Fredda McCune’s absence.  She distributed donation checks to members who will in turn distribute them to local entities. 

The “Turn on the Tap” project of collecting change for the clean water initiative was approved for the upcoming year. The pecan order should be arriving around mid-November.  Other business discussed was Trunk R Treat October 31 and an invitation to members to contribute wrapped candy; Veterans’ Day Party (to be determined), Samaritan’s Purse Operations Christmas Child (donation for postage). Also announced was the GFWC Southern Region Conference to be held October 21 – 23 in Georgia.

Announcements included the date of the next meeting, November 10th, at the library at 1:30 p.m. Hostess will be Beverly Estes and Sandy Travis will have the program on Civic Engagement. Our action plan is to bring canned fruit and/or peanut butter (or cake mix and ingredients for children’s birthday cakes) to donate to the Food Pantry.

Beverly won the door prize this month.

There was no further business and the meeting adjourned on motion, second and unanimous approval.