The General Federation of Women’s Clubs, with more than 60,000 members, is united in its dedication to volunteer community service. While diverse in age, interests, and outreach, all clubwomen are united by a desire to create positive change in their local communities and impact others globally. Celina has the privilege of “living the volunteer spirit” through the service organization, Fidelis Inter Se. Established in 1951, GFWC Fidelis Inter Se of Celina, clubwomen organized projects to support those in need - school children, nursing home residents, and the beautification of city parks. Those traditions set by the 13 charter members are carried on today through the service of 89 members dedicated to the 2023-2024 theme “ We grow together by loving and serving others”.
Current President Rosemary Talkington facilitates the club in its philanthropic efforts. The club meets nine months of the year and has guest speakers who represent that month’s mission. Fidelis Inter Se has hosted Helping Hands of Celina, packed food boxes with Gracebridge Food Bank, collected food donations and packed weekend food boxes with Lovepacs PCG, served at Hope’s Door, and partnered with MD Anderson, Shot@Life, and St. Jude Children’s Hospital. These organizations represent just a small portion of the projects the clubwomen have supported through service hours.
The club’s only fundraiser is a Daddy Daughter Dance that is held each year in February. Planned and hosted by Fidelis Inter Se since 1998, dads and father-figures have twirled their daughters around a themed dance floor in a Celina ISD elementary school creating life-long memories for both dad and child. The funds raised help support CISD high school senior scholarships, contribute to the Texas Fellowship of Women’s Clubs scholarship fund, and aid in supporting scholarships for survivors of intimate partner abuse who wish to obtain a post-secondary education to help reshape their futures (Success for Survivors Scholarship). All these initiatives go toward the goal of advocating for children locally and at the state level.
For many, the Daddy Daughter Dance is their first introduction to Fidelis Inter Se. However, according to current club Treasurer and long-time member, Fran Mask, there are many opportunities for clubwomen to serve the community:
· Place flags and evergreen wreaths on veteran headstones at both Celina cemeteries.
· Help build snack bags for the CISD adaptive athletes to enjoy during their event days.
· Assist the United Methodist Church of Celina with assembling backpacks of food for those experiencing food insecurity.
· Participate in the National Day of Service each September in a Community Service Program that helps solve food insecurity.
The Mother Daughter Tea is another popular community event that Fidelis Inter Se hosts. Designed to honor young women in their senior year of high school and their mothers, it is a free event for CISD students that creates opportunities for making lifelong memories through storytelling, special treats, and a time set aside to enjoy the lasts and firsts that a senior year brings.
Treasurer Mask says she enjoys all the projects FIS has been involved in. However, she loves and looks forward to the Christmas celebration the club hosts at Settlers Ridge Care Center in Celina. On a Sunday afternoon in December, they arrange for a Santa to make the rounds, include cookies and punch for a treat, and deliver a holiday themed blanket to every resident. Occasionally, elementary students provide hand-drawn cards and club members bring their kids to sing carols along with the piano. According to Fran, “no one gains more from volunteering than the volunteer herself”.
Fran learned the spirit of volunteerism through family members who served as missionaries and from other family who served their local community. She values service and through the practical art of living out those values, her daughters Beth Hemby and Joy Rodgers have also learned to enjoy serving and are members of Fidelis Inter Se of Celina. Beth has participated as a clubwoman for more than 25 years and Joy, recently moved back to Texas, has been an active member for three years. This sort of Legacy Membership is a special and important part of the culture of Fidelis Inter Se of Celina. From the charter members to the present member role, generations of families have served locally and at the state level working to make a difference and an impact on the world.
Membership in General Federation of Women’s Clubs Fidelis Inter Se of Celina can begin with any woman interested in bringing about positive change to community improvement locally and nationally. Potential members are nominated by current clubwomen and membership is open year-round. Members are required to commit to active involvement and a small dues investment. For more information on joining GFWC Fidelis Inter Se of Celina, contact President Rosemary Talkington at talkingtonr@gmail.com
Legacy Members include Mothers, daughters, aunts, sisters, grandmothers serving together to better the community around them. Current Legacy Members include:
Janet Calvert
Valerie Carey
Tara Cox
Pat Granstaff
Elizabeth Grumbles
Janie Grumbles
Beth Hemby
Jane Huddleston
Cyndy Hunn
Kaye Jones
Fran Mask
Verna Lee Morris
Katie Most
Joy Rodgers
