HELP SAVE THE WHITEFISH BAY WOMAN’S CLUB

HELP SAVE THE WHITEFISH BAY WOMAN’S CLUB

Richard W. Cass

Currently the Whitefish Bay Woman’s Club is in the grasp of the Whitefish Bay Village Board.  The Board is assessing the organization for alley repaving at an extremely high valuation that is based on an unfair formula.  As a result, the village estimates the club’s financial responsibility to be  $37,000.

In keeping with the Club’s historic commitment to Whitefish Bay, it willingly accepts its rightful financial responsibility for the planned alley improvements; it expects, however, that this responsibility be consistent with the assessment assigned all other alley properties.

 The Whitefish Bay Woman’s Club presented its case to the Village Board in addition to dispatching a letter to each member articulating the financial hardship this liability places on its organization--accustomed to raising money for the exclusive purpose of GIVING IT AWAY.  The Village Board’s denial to assess the Club equitably has galvanized it to rally the power of grassroots support in its battle for fairness. They are not only waging this battle for themselves and this particular situation but for a higher principle: to check expedient economic and political decisions that sacrifice the defenseless.   

The WFB Woman’s Club has contributed to making Whitefish Bay “a community” since 1917, and it has owned the clubhouse (it built) since 1954.  The Club is a quiet organization and its benevolence goes undetected. A few of its “gifts” include, beginning the Girls Scout program in Whitefish Bay, donating to the Veterans Memorial Park, issuing yearly scholarships for two high school students, sending girls annually to Badger Girls State, and sponsoring a yearly community Halloween party for young children and families.

The Club is active in philanthropies that extend beyond the WFB community.  Its clubhouse is host to regular blood drives, political forums, parties (private and community), and is a commodious meeting place for members and guests—essentially a community landmark.  The club’s facility also provides a venue for its own fund-raising events in addition to being available for a myriad of community events.

The proposed Village alley assessment may induce serious consequences for this esteemed institution. The most serious--curtailing its ability to be a “gift-giver” to Whitefish Bay.  The club is currently asking for donations (they are tax deductible) to help it remain a vital contributor to Whitefish Bay for another 100 years.

This organization needs every WFB citizen’s support in “getting their story out” to the community it has long served.  It also needs donations, which they would gratefully receive as cash or check. Any amount is welcomed: addressed to The Whitefish Bay Woman’s Club, 600 E. Henry Clay St.  WFB, WI 53217. The Club continually looks to expand its membership—welcoming members of all ages. And at this time in particular, it would welcome an influx of new inductees as a show support for their continued philanthropy and good works.  Both fairness and charity are at stake.