100+ Women Who Care rebuilding membership

Yarmouth County group has raised tens of thousands for charities since starting out

They’ve slipped a bit since launching in 2014, but the 100+ Women of Yarmouth County Who Care are determined to pull their membership from the present 55 back up to more than 100 members.

Spokesperson Ann Jones says in recent years 100+ women membership has gone as low as 42, but then back up to 55.

“Some can’t afford to donate $400 a year, so now you can form a group of four people and donate $25 each. Each group has one vote. That way it’s more financially viable for them to join us.”

“Some of the Pubnico-area members split off and started their own group. We lost quite a few because of that,” says Jones.

The 100+ women inspired a group in Shelburne County 100+ Women of Yarmouth County Who Care spokesperson Ann Jones in her home.

CARLA ALLEN

to form, in addition to a men’s group in Yarmouth, called 100 Guys Who Share - Yarmouth County.

“The men’s group, which meets at the Mariners Centre, seems to be more social than ours,” says Jones.

She describes the women's group meetings as short and friendly.

Each member brings $100 (cheque or cash) to meetings. The group listens to pitches from three charities that have been selected in advance from

nominations through a random selection process. The list of charities to nominate from is a long one – close to 60.

Each member present at the meeting is entitled to one vote. Votes are tallied and the winning charity takes all.

Whereas individual members typically made up most of the 100+ women, groups are now being encouraged to join.

“Some can’t afford to donate $400 a year, so now you can form a group of four people and donate $25 each. Each group

has one vote. That way it’s more financially viable for them to join us,” she says.

Jones says she believes positive changes are afoot.

“I think the committee in the beginning was great and enthusiastic to get it started but eventually your committee changes, some members have other time commitments and it loses energy. What we’re trying to do is to get that energy back.”

She describes some of the new executive members as “sparks.”

“We’re picking ourselves up quite nicely.

At the March 3 meeting, the Yarmouth Boys & Girls Club was awarded $5,500 towards a natural playground.

In the tri-county region, Digby also has a similar type group, called Digby Care 25, which has been in existence for just over six years. In its first six years the group donated a total of $55,520 to local charitable causes and organizations. Members of Digby Care 25 meet quarterly and donate at least $25 at each meeting, with the money going to the evening’s winning charity.

There was an effort last year to start up a 100 men's group in Digby, but that effort fell flat.

Ann Jones