Page 8 - View Matters - November 2024

Securing VIEW’s future

Our Geographic Boundaries project is

uncovering a wealth of information about VIEW.

In the April 2024 issue of VIEW This was an opportunity to meet “I don’t know where I would be without
Matters, we told you about the many wonderful VIEW members and my VIEW friends,” one member
Geographic Boundaries project hear about progress and discoveries. said, “I’m definitely in the right place
underway to secure a sustainable because I really feel I belong.”
“Maryanne and I have enjoyed
future for VIEW. It’s been a busy six
connecting with so many members In Parkes, some members came to
months for VIEW members who are
on these trips. The VIEW spirit of the venue well before the meeting
involved in this important work.
connection has been evident in laden with table cloths, vases and
Project teams in all Areas were every conversation we’ve had while lovely flowers from their gardens
briefed and have been researching on the road,” said Elizabeth. to decorate the room so that it was
historical and current information more inviting.
about VIEW and their local area. VIEW’s warmth and welcoming
Through completing seven sense of community was A member in Wagga Wagga said,
templates, the project teams are everywhere they travelled, with “Thank you for making the time
investigating the current Clubs and members generously offering and effort to come down our way.
Zones, ways to promote and grow hospitality, friendship and tips We often feel far removed, out here
VIEW in their region and ways to along the way. in the country. We all appreciated
work with The Smith Family. They are putting faces to the names and
“It was inspiring to meet women
also connecting with Local Councils meeting you both personally.
who had recently joined VIEW and
to join events which engage You’ve inspired us and we have all
to hear about the special rituals
prospective members, collaborating learned a lot.”
clubs have for welcoming new
with other service organisations and
members,” Elizabeth said. Maryanne and Elizabeth were also
talking with local businesses who
delighted to see the ways VIEW
may like to be partners of VIEW. “No matter where you go, there’s members connect with each other.
an unspoken commitment While attending the 40th luncheon
Project teams have until November
among VIEW members to ensure for Wodonga VIEW Club (VIC), they
to submit their research, findings
newcomers feel welcomed and met Karen Tsapazi, a member
and recommendations. All
connected. We truly felt this from Melville City VIEW Club (WA).
recommendations will be reviewed
warmth from the clubs we visited.” Karen travels to Wodonga several
and discussed before further actions
times a year to visit her daughter
are phased and implemented. Women who had joined their
and grandchildren. While there she
club’s committee shared how they
As part of the project, VIEW National catches up with her VIEW friends. “I
have been mentored by another
President Elizabeth Birch has been have made two very good friends,”
member, describing this generous
visiting clubs and members in she said. At the event, Karen shared
act as ‘wisdom sharing’ which
regions including the Central West, her amazing biscuit fundraising story
had given them much-needed
Riverina and South West Slopes (see Baking for a cause on page 11),
confidence in a new role. Others
of NSW, accompanied by VIEW saying, “I would love to see other
described joining VIEW as one of
National Manager Maryanne Maher. clubs doing something similar.”
the best things they had ever done.

8 VIEW MATTERS