By Cheri Perkins Mantz Catholic Herald Staff

MILWAUKEE – When the National Council of Catholic Women General Assembly met in Milwaukee, one of the most popular workshops focused on recruiting new members, specifically younger members. As the ages of NCCW members increase, it is clear that current members must find younger members to which they can pass the baton.

About 850 women attended the biennial event held Sept. 21-23 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, making it the group’s largest general assembly ever. The theme, “Yes Lord, Your Servant is Listening,” also focused on members taking a leadership role.

Carlotta Lawton from the Diocese of Joliet, Ill. spoke about methods Catholic women’s councils should use at their own parish levels.

“We try to satisfy (younger members) by creating events that are fun for them,” Lawton said in an interview with your Catholic Herald. “We make sure we reach out in events that help their lives. When we have activities, we want to make them fun.”

Lawton said some of the newer activities implemented in her diocese to attract younger members include golf outings, knitting groups, a fashion show and Christmas craft bazaar.

One way to get younger members involved in the NCCW, according to Lawton, is to ask them to start a program in their parish.

“Bunco, knitting and golf outings were all started by younger members on their own because there was an interest,” she said. “Women like to go out. We also find our bus trips draw a varied age group.

“You have to look for events and programs that create an interest to young women, and if you don’t know, talk to young women and ask (them) what’s important in (their) life,” said Lawton. “We have to be social to them and make them want to belong to our organization by making it interesting and exciting.”

Lawton, a 30-year member of the NCCW, admits that over the years, the organization has made a conscious effort to change its structure.

“In the beginning when I started, it was very structured and attendance wasn’t very good,” she said. “In the last five years we’ve changed our perspective. If we want to reach out to young moms we have to reach them where they are and make their time beneficial.”

Another way Lawton’s diocese caters to younger women and mothers is offering child care during weekday activities and meetings.

“We do provide babysitters for events,” said Lawton. “We do charge them, but we make that available.”

“I think almost every council has to find new ways to reach out to new members,” said Andrea Schellman, public relations director for the NCCW. “Everyone is so busy; I think that’s one reason it’s so important to have so much fun.”

Another way the NCCW has changed over the years is by making better use of technology, particularly the Internet and e-mail.

“In terms of diocese and parish councils, they depend more on a Web presence and passing announcements by e-mail,” said Schellman. “We know for some of the members, the Internet may be a foreign experience, but younger women are finding us through the Internet. I think things are happening on both ends of the age spectrum.”

No matter the means of finding the NCCW and age of members, Lawton was adamant that joining the NCCW has been beneficial to her over the years.

“I think it provides spirituality, and women need and want spirituality,” Lawton said. “You don’t get that through the YMCA.

“You get enriched by people who share your values,” Lawton continued. “I think I’m a better person because I have met wonderful ladies through the years.

“Attitude is very important, and how we present ourselves,” said Lawton. “That’s the passing of the baton.”

Cheryl Simer, 40, of Nampa, Idaho, has been a member of the NCCW for 12 years.

“I was invited to a meeting by another lady and that’s how I got started and I noticed the relationships between the other women,” she said. “That’s what attracted me.

“I know we do some great things, but I’ve made lifelong friends. It’s rewarding to work for causes with your friends.”

Simer, president-elect of her diocese, acknowledged that her active parish made it easy to belong to the NCCW.

“I’m really fortunate to have an awesome parish,” said Simer, who belongs to Holy Apostles in Meridian, Idaho. “The older women were willing to promote the younger women coming in. I was really lucky in that respect.”

Jody Greiber, 40, of Dane, Wis., understands the importance of younger members in the NCCW.

“How do you get younger people to join in with other things pulling at your time?” said Greiber. “We all have kids, jobs, church; there’s not a lot of time left.”

Lynn Meier, 34, who attends St. Martin of Tours in Martinsville, Wis., along with Greiber, reiterated that the women are interested in ways to recruit younger members.

“We’re looking for ideas to get younger members to join because it’s kind of hard,” said Meier. “They say we’re the best kept secret in the country, but we need to get that secret out.”

Be An Informed Catholic!


For the rest of this week's news, visit the Catholic Herald web site.

Click here to subscribe to the Catholic Herald.