Woman`s Board - Winnetka Community House

Winnetka Community House
W o ma n’s B oar d
A shared purpose:
Supporting the mission of Winnetka Community House
About the Woman’s Board
The Woman’s Board was formed in 1976 by an enterprising group of women to
support the entity they considered vital to the unique quality of their community. Their children had spent Saturday afternoons playing ball in the gym of
WCH, watched movies in Matz Hall on Friday evenings and congregated
during after-school hours at the bowling alley. Bridge groups, armchair travel
lectures and theatre offerings all found a home through the years at the Gothic-style building located at Pine Street and Lincoln in Winnetka.
As the venerable institution faced financial challenges, the group of women
dedicated themselves to raising funds to help keep it running. The original
Woman’s Board has grown in 40 plus years to more than 100 women (active and
sustaining members) from surrounding North Shore communities.
The Winnetka Community House receives no tax dollar support. Eighty-five
percent of the funds raised by the Woman’s Board go directly to the operating
budget of the Community House, with the remainder earmarked for special
projects and needs. These funds along with generous and ongoing support from
local businesses and residents have helped to grow and sustain the Winnetka
Community House—one of the only centers of its kind in the United States.
Who Are Our Members?
Our members are a multigenerational group of women, working together to
support and promote the Winnetka Community House. We work in a team
environment with many opportunities for individual contributions. Members
of the Woman’s Board are unofficial “ambassadors” for the Winnetka Community House. Members are encouraged to participate in events sponsored by the
Woman’s Board, such as the Preview Party, and other member social events
and to volunteer when possible as additional “womanpower” is needed.
Benefits of Membership:
Woman’s Board membership offers social opportunities, experience in event
and project management and fosters a strong sense of camaraderie and purpose
in the community. Woman’s Board members receive a free Community House
Membership which entitles them to pre-register for many classes at reduced
rates and other benefits. The Woman’s Board also offers complimentary on-site
babysitting during Board meetings for its members.
Woman’s Board Activities
The Woman’s Board is known for Antiques+Modernism Winnetka, a celebrated three-day show that premiered in 2010! Based on the highly successful and
nationally recognized and respected Winnetka Antique Show and Modernism
Show, previously held separately, Antiques + Modernism Winnetka features
prestigious dealers from throughout the United States and thousands of attendees. The show represents the best of design through the centuries.
The Wine and Beer Tasting is an exciting event that the Woman’s Board has
hosted since 2010. It is an opportunity to sample superb wines from around the
world alongside microbrew and premium beers. Delicious pairings of savory
hors d’oeuvres, cheese and sweets are also served. Wine is available for purchase
from the vendors, and can then be picked up in Winnetka.
Breakfast with Santa is a fun event for the family. Kids enjoy breakfast, crafts
and the chance to have their photo taken with Santa Claus. The event has
grown in popularity, selling out in 2011. For the event, Woman’s Board members oversee the transformation of Matz Hall into a winter wonderland.
Requirements of Woman’s Board Membership:
• Attend monthly meetings (except July and August) the second Wednesday
of each month at 12:30 p.m. A light lunch is followed by the meeting
• Support the fundraisers of the Woman’s Board by assuming a job for the
Antiques+Modernism Show and helping with at least one other event.
• Serve on an interest committee, such as House and Grounds, Social, Nominating, or Membership
• Pay annual dues, which includes a credit toward the purchase of Antiques+Modernism Winnetka Preview Party tickets.
About Winnetka Community House
Winnetka Community House is a unique non-profit on Chicago’s North Shore
that receives no tax dollars. Founded in 1911, the mission of the WCH is to
enrich the lives of North Shore residents, their families and friends by providing educational, cultural, social and recreational opportunities for North Shore
residents of all ages.
• Fully equipped two-tiered Fitness Centre with locker rooms, steam rooms
and showers.
• Room rentals for business meetings, weddings, civic organizations, corporate functions, exhibits, fundraisers, birthday parties, mitzvahs and more.
• The beautifullly landscaped Arches Garden available for weddings,
receptions, cocktail parties and other special events.
• On-site caterer and event planning.
• On-site childcare room.
• Programs and class offerings including theatre, fitness, youth enrichment,
dance, martial arts, camps, youth basketball art, ceramics, science, languages, dog obedience, sports and more.
• The Winnetka Bike Sale and Kids’ Garage Sale in April.
• Winnetka’s long-running traditional Haunted House in October.
• Theatre facilities and productions including resident theatre groups for
adults and children
• Space for associated groups:
North Shore Art League, Winnetka Community Nursery School, Junior
League of Evanston-North Shore, Winnetka Youth Organization, Open
Communities and many more.
WINNETKA COMMUNITY HOUSE
620 LINCOLN AVENUE, WINNETKA, IL 60093
847-446-0537 WINNETKACOMMUNITYHOUSE.ORG