| 2004 Annual Report |
| Review of Activities: July 1, 2004 – December 31, 2004
New Commission Appointments |
| Sally Thompson and Mary Maloney were appointed to the board to replace Karen Griffin and Adelaida Macatangy who resigned their commissions. We welcome Sally and Mary and know that their diversity and experience are a welcome addition to the Commission for Women’s 12-member Board. Effective January 1, 2005, Sally Thompson replaced Karen Emery as co-chair of the CCCW. We thank Ms. Emery for her three years of service as co-chair and for her continued commitment as a board member. Ms. Emery has been a member of the board since its inception in 1998. |
| Ladies’ Night Out – September |
| An evening of health and wellness, relaxation, and camaraderie was featured with a three-hour Ladies’ Night Out fundraising event hosted at the Principio Furnace Foundation Mansion. The hospitality of the foundation director, Sarah Colenda, was the key to the evening of bliss with aromatherapy, massage sessions, reflexology, chakra energy alignment, and yoga. Forty-three women participated in the event. This was the second fundraiser coordinated through the Friends of the Cecil County Commission for Women with proceeds benefiting future community programs and projects. |
| Girls Conference – October 23rd |
| The sixth annual “Power of Me” Girls Conference entitled, Express Yourself… Celebrate Individuality. Volunteer Janel West took the lead in planning and marketing of the event held at Cecil Community College. Speaker Sandy Queen provided the keynote address. Targeting Cecil County girls in grade six through ten, public school secondary guidance counselors were key contacts in registration process. The 83 young ladies that attended made this conference the largest event to-date. |
| Funding for Basic Operating Expenses |
| The CCCW was allocated $3,200 by the Cecil County Board of Commissioners for basic operating expenses and to support planned activities The Commission continues to focus its funding on joint programs and co-sponsorships to maximize efficiency of funding for community use. |
| Expanded Partnerships and Representation on Agency Committees |
| All of our planned activities were done in partnership with another county agency or group: Chesapeake Publishing, Cecil County Arts Council, Cecil Community College, Principio Furnace Foundation, Cecil County Health Department, Cecil County Public Schools, and others working collaboratively for successful programs. |
|
| 2005 PLANS: |
| Continue to Enhance Existing Programs |
| • Sponsor Art Show and Reception with Cecil County Arts Council featuring works by or about women: “A Women’s Work is Never Done.” |
| • Plan and execute 7th Annual Cecil County Girls’ Conference |
| Possible additions:
Involve more community women in planning process
Continue to review transportation issue
Include Youth Trailblazer recipient as speaker at conference
Explore partnership with the Maryland Financial Literacy Coalition mission
Theme recommendation “Invest in Yourself” |
| • Continue to plan at least two community presentations/receptions |
| Gather information from county women, to educate the community about CCCW, and to provide pertinent information ( i.e, personal safety workshop, financial literacy luncheon) |
| • Trailblazer Award |
| Continue to promote more recognition for Cecil County Trailblazers. In 2004, our collaborative effort with Chesapeake Publishing added four new categories to the award recognition, including a youth component. The 2005 event will be held at the Rising Sun Banquet Hall on Wednesday, May 18th. |
| • Improve Communications |
• Maintain website; more interactive
• Expand mailing list; publish quarterly newsletter. Consider other ways to get newsletter published – volunteer/student
• Identify local women’s groups, include participants on mailing list, make presentations
• Utilize research and data from the health department, hospital, and on-line surveys to prioritize initiatives. Data will be used to streamline the work of the CCCW. |
| • Increase/Improve Relationships at State and Local Level |
• Continue pursuit of Cecil County representation on Maryland Commission for Women
• Support Legislative Agenda for Maryland Women – the CCCW will continue to support the initiatives of the Maryland Commission for Women.
• The CCCW continues to support the Maryland Commission and First Lady Kendall Ehrlich in developing the first museum in Maryland to celebrate the contributions of Maryland women in shaping the history of the United States. |
