Today we’d like to introduce you to Paula Williams-Wray.
Hi Paula, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
In August 2018, I had dinner with my best friend, Ann, and during our dinner conversation, she told me about a women’s organization in Westerville, Ohio called 100 Women of Westerville. Getting 100 women together for 1 hour, each donating $100, and the result is $10,000 in 1 hour for 1 charity/non-profit. As soon as I got in the car to head home, I googled 100 Women of Westerville, and Greg, my husband, said – what are you doing? You surely are not going to get involved in something else. I said – it’s too easy – there must be something more to it. I contacted 100 Women of Westerville, and they invited me up to their final meeting for 2018. Ann and I went to observe. I couldn’t believe how seamless it worked and how fast and how much fun everyone had during it. I learned that by simplifying the process, you achieve the same goal in less time and with stronger outcomes and not to mention helping small business owners in the process. They gave me everything I needed to get started bringing French City Society to life much faster. Later, I found out that 100 WOW was formed from 100+ Licking County and the founder is from Gallia County, and her mother is a Committed Member of French City Society!! Talk about full circle!!
Organizations that I have been a part of over the years include – Green Elementary and Gallia Academy Middle School PTO. I am a Past President of Gallipolis Junior Women’s Club, where I was awarded New Member of the Year and Member of the Year. I am also a Past President of Academic Boosters Club for Gallipolis City Schools. I served on Ohio River Live, where we would shut down Court Street between 2nd and 3rd Avenues and would bring bands in from out of town to perform we also started the 2nd Friday Series at the French Art Colony which as now Hot Summer Nights every Thursday. I was on the ground floor of Gallipolis In Lights as the Logistics Coordinator and have served on Gallipolis In Bloom. I told my daughter, McKenzie, when we attended the first Gallipolis In Lights meeting – I know I have taken you all over to meetings after meetings through the years, but when you are grown and have children of your own, and you bring them to town to see the lights – you can say – I attended the very first meeting and helped make the first light balls. Being a part of and at time leading these fine organizations in Gallia County and the one constant rings through – the same people doing the same work, giving the same time and donations over and over and over. There isn’t anything wrong with that except those same people doing all the work get burnt out.
By attending the 100 WOW event, I learned that by simplifying the process, you achieve the same goal in less time and with stronger outcomes – not to mention the fellowship – who doesn’t have an hour or so to give back to our community and doing so by spending the evening out together with friends and family along with supporting a locally owned business that allows us to use their restaurant free of charge for our gatherings.
French City Society isn’t just for women. We have men that are Committed Members as well. To date, we have 23 Individual members, 17 Teams of Two, and 29 Teams of Four totally 173 members. Eighteen is the youngest Committed Member.
We are also listed on the 100 Who Care Alliance national registry for Gallia County.
This is how we work Committed Members may be an Individual giving $100 four times a year. A Team of Two $50 per person four times a year or a Team of Four $25 per person four times a year.
What we have learned since the beginning is that our members love the fact that they do not have to attend gatherings. Most like to send their check-in and then we have a lot who love the social aspect and giving back. Our registration table and social hour begins at 6:00 p.m. the previous awarded organization speaks on how the funds benefited them, and then we go into – Nominations. Three nominations are drawn at random by a patron of Courtside that isn’t a member. The Committed Member that nominated the organization has 5 minutes each to speak on their behalf. Then, we go into a 5-minute question and answer and then go to a vote. One vote per team. Nominations can only be spoken on behalf of by Committed Members. We pick up the votes. We have three FCS members witness the drawing and the counting. Once counted, we announce who the checks are written to for that round of giving. No checks are made out to FCS, and we do not accept cash. Chosen organizations then must wait a year before they are eligible to be nominated again.
We ask organizations to also sign an agreement stating that they will not take the names and addresses of Committed Members and reach out for donations in the future if they are not already donors. We have a wealth of an excel spreadsheet of names and addresses. As of April 2022, we have given back to Gallia County $74,100, and we didn’t meet 5 times from 2018 to 2022.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It hasn’t always been a smooth road. We have had fluctuations in membership. We have heard a lot when encouraging people to come on board with us that they do not have extra time to give. That is the beauty of FCS; you do not have to show up to a gathering. Writing a check and dropping it in the mail to us is the easiest way ever to give back and feel really good in the process!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am an Administrative Professional in the high school portion of Buckeye Hills Career Center located in Rio Grande, Ohio. https://www.buckeyehills.net
I am proud to work at BHCC, where our mission is creating successful lives. I am responsible for attendance for all high school students and assist our Deans with their administrative needs. I enjoy speaking with parents and helping them throughout the day when I comes to their students. I believe creating a welcoming environment not only helps the students but makes the parents more comfortable as well. I love watching our students succeed.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
I love a small town where literally everyone knows you by name.
I wish there were more employment opportunities to keep our youth from moving away.
Pricing:
- Individual Committed Members $100 four times a year
- Team of Two Committed Members $50 per person four times a year
- Team of Four Committed Members $25 per person four times a year
Contact Info:
- Website: https://frenchcitysociety.wordpress.com
- Instagram: French City Society
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/frenchcitysociety
