GFS Board Hears Results of Survey
Diocesan Press Service. March 23, 1973 [73084]
PASADENA, Calif. -- The national board of directors of the Girls' Friendly Society, U.S.A., meeting here recently, heard the results of a 1972 survey on "the state of GFS " in the dioceses, which indicated that there has been a decline in the number of branches but there is strong GFS life in a number of dioceses.
The survey indicated that there has been a large decline in number of branches since 1966; that relationships between GFS contact persons and diocesan leadership has been minimal; that many clergy are not interested in a special ministry to girls; that GFS branch leaders are not basically concerned about national structure and program materials, and that the recruitment and training of local leaders is a primary concern.
The board of directors of GFS also discussed the possibility of publishing a GFS newspaper for national distribution. Coalitions of diocesan GFS leaders have been formed, primarily on the east and west coasts where the largest number of branches are active. The east coast group will meet this spring in Connecticut.
The GFS is an Episcopal organization for girls in the church and community and has weekday groupwork fellowship to serve the needs of girls through creative programs of worship, service, work and plan. It is interracial and international.
The national structure of GFS was dissolved in 1966 and the dioceses assumed the responsibility for establishing new branches and nurturing the present ones.
Members of the national board of GFS are: Mrs. Mary Durham, president, Detroit, Mich.; Mrs. Audrey Liller, secretary/treasurer, Everson, Wash.; Mrs. Ann McNair, vice-president, Rohnert Park, Calif.; Mrs. Adele Ray, Graterford, Pa., and the Rev. John Yamazaki, Los Angeles, Calif.