The FAWCO Board asked the Team to rebrand FAWCO. They did not call in management consultants to analyze and modify the "purpose" of FAWCO. FAWCO’s stated purpose is in Article II of our Bylaws and remains the same (see further analysis below). I would like to be clear about the scope and focus of the Rebranding FAWCO Team.
Our task is to reshape FAWCOs image in a manner that communicates our stated purpose and to make it clear that we are a global women’s NGO. FAWCO volunteers function on a professional level with a message that is international, with a dynamic (and long-standing) American heritage. We are not hiding our heritage but want to remain broadly relevant to the women of our member clubs today as well as other international groups.
The Team's objective is, however, to rebrand and emphasize not who we are, but what we do, and it is for this reason that we are going for a reduced American look in rebranding FAWCO’s image. In representing our work FAWCO uses the idea of 4 pillars. Looked at closely we have: Advocacy and support for Americans overseas is 25%; Advocacy for global issues is 25%; Networking and support of our member clubs is 25%; and Philanthropy is 25%.
I would like to correlate a breakdown of FAWCO’s purpose, as stated in the Bylaws, with the work of FAWCO to make clear why the Rebranding Team wants to communicate the important work that FAWCOites do.
ARTICLE I NAME AND OFFICE
SEC. 1. NAME
The name of this corporation shall be the Federation of American Women's Clubs Overseas Incorporated (FAWCO). Notice that the acronym specifically is mentioned in the Bylaws. In 2009, following recommendations from the Vision of The Future Team, the FAWCO Board specified that the organization use the acronym FAWCO and not spell out the title for daily use. We are FAWCO and The FAWCO Foundation. Obviously there are times when we define the letters and we hope through rebranding we will have a more simplified phrase/explanation. In our final report the use of FAWCO must again be highlighted. This Team has voted to retain the acronym and whether we change one or two words is still up for discussion.
ARTICLE II PURPOSE AND POLICY
SEC. 1. PURPOSE
The purpose of the Corporation shall be to promote friendship and cooperation among American women's organizations overseas, to provide a voice for American women living abroad, to support the rights of all Americans worldwide, to contribute actively to the global community by supporting education, the rights of women and children, the natural and human environment, to promote multicultural goodwill, and to work towards better understanding between the United States and other nations.
Let’s look at this policy in terms of FAWCO’s "what we do".
"The purpose of the Corporation shall be to promote friendship and cooperation among American women’s organizations overseas". Support and networking within our member clubs is very important and a large amount of energy flows within the organization to do this. FAWCO promotes friendship and cooperation within member clubs. It also supports importance of our Global Best Practices through support for club presidents and club members, club support and development.
FAWCO is dependent on its member clubs maintaining their membership and we do not have authority over these organizations, their membership policy or their activities.
If an American Women’s Club decides to widen its membership to become an American & International Women’s Club then that fits with our bylaws. If their membership is less than 60% American membership they have Associate membership and our Bylaws allow Associate membership limited to 1/3 of the current membership of FAWCO. I also think that this sentence enables us to encourage international clubs, with American members, to join FAWCO.
"...to provide a voice for American women living abroad, to support the rights of all Americans worldwide.." This sentence clearly encourages and confirms our advocacy in Washington on behalf of Americans overseas, another very important pillar.
"...to contribute actively to the global community by supporting education, the rights of women and children, the natural and human environment." This is clearly enabled through our Global Teams, our advocacy and work at the United Nations, the work of The FAWCO Foundation Development Grants and Educational Awards, Disaster Relief Fund, FAWCO Target Program, Biennial Conferences, Interim Meetings, Regional Meetings and again, networking with members of others clubs, members’ education through annual and regional conferences, FAWCO Workshops and publications.
"...to promote multicultural goodwill, and to work towards better understanding between the United States and other nations." Membership of FAWCO makes Global Citizens with broadened and enriched horizons, sisters around the world. What is common to all of our members is living internationally in cultures that are not our own and we help one another to make this a positive and dynamic experience.
