Past boards > CFAWL News Updates
CFAWL and the OCBA YLS Honored with the 2011 Partner in Education Award for the West Region of Orange County at Rock Lake Elementary's Appreciation Breakfast: April 29, 2011.
CFAWL and the OCBA YLS were honored in a ceremony at Sea World with the Partner in Education Award for West Orange County for all of the good work the organizations complete at Rock Lake Elementary School. During the period over which CFAWL and the YLS have supported Rock Lake, almost a decade!, the school has risen from being ranked an F school to being ranked as an A school. Additionally, in 2009, Rock Lake was nominated as the State of Florida's number one school in exceptional student performance for two or more consecutive years under Title I. This honor qualified Rock Lake to be considered for an award on a national level, and at the Title I Conference in February 2009, Rock Lake became one of fifty-seven schools in the nation to receive a Distinguished School Award. A Rock Lake staff member recently said the following about how CFAWL and the YLS played a role in Rock Lake achieving these successes, "Without the support of you all, with your providing supplies and encouragement, and Christmas and love, and just so many things, we would not be able to make the strides and have the success that we have at this time. You are wonderful, and we thank you!!" Such kind words and sentiments of appreciation represent just a small sampling of all the gratitude Rock Lake has shown CFAWL and the YLS over the past several years. Indeed, on Monday, June 6, 2011, CFAWL was honored at Rock Lake Elementary School's Appreciation Breakfast. Many thanks to Melissa Cupps Battles who attended that ceremony on CFAWL's behalf.
The successes achieved by Rock Lake demonstrate the significant, positive impact CFAWL and the YLS have made on the school and its students through their continued support. Everyone who has contributed to the Backpack Project, Teach In, Thanksgiving Drive and/or Angel Tree Project should be very proud of their efforts!
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CFAWL COMPLETES PHASE ONE OF HARBOR HOUSE MAKEOVER: APRIL 13, 2011.
CFAWL’s Young Lawyers Committee completed the first stage of a makeover for the common living room at Harbor House. Harbor House is a comprehensive domestic violence services agency, which provides emergency shelter to hundreds of women and children each year.
This public service project was made possible by a $2,600.00 grant that CFAWL received at the Affiliate Outreach Conference in January. The AOC is an annual conference hosted by the Young Lawyers Division of The Florida Bar.
CFAWL’s Young Lawyers Committee is scheduled to return to Harbor House this fall to complete the project.
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CFAWL NAMED A "PARTNER IN EDUCATION:" APRIL 13, 2011. CFAWL and the Orange County Bar Association's Young Lawyers Section were named the 2011 Partner in Education for Orange County's West Region. Rock Lake Elementary nominated the two organizations for commitment demonstrated to the school since 2002.
Each year, the two organizations collaborate to donate school supplies to the school. In addition, in 2010, the organizations participated in the school’s annual food drive to provide Thanksgiving baskets for families in the school and community, as well as the county-wide Teach In event. At the Teach In, the two groups sent lawyers to attend classes to share aspects of their job, read books, and distribute treats.
For the ninth year in a row, CFAWL also sponsored a holiday party in December for Rock Lake students, selected based on need. CFAWL provided cupcakes, cookies, juice, Santa hats, and gifts. Each child received new clothes, shoes, toys, bicycles, and a host of other gifts.
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February 17, 2011 - CFAWL Receives Grant and Public Service Award
CFAWL is proud to announce that it was awarded a grant of $2,600.00, and was presented with the Public Service Award, at the Affiliate Outreach Conference in January 2011. The AOC is an annual conference hosted by the Young Lawyers Division of the Florida Bar. CFAWL wishes to recognize members Megan Malec and Bridget Labutta, who prepared the grant proposal on behalf of the organization.
The award will be applied toward its most recent public service project benefiting Harbor House of Central Florida. Harbor House is a comprehensive domestic violence services agency which provides emergency shelter to hundreds of women and children each year. The CFAWL Young Lawyers Committee is planning a makeover for the common living room at Harbor House.
A donation drive for the Harbor House project is also ongoing. At the February 4 and March 4 luncheons, the CFAWL Young Lawyers Committee will be collecting the following items: new or gently used books suitable for women and teens (fiction/non-fiction/health, mind & beauty/cooking), family board games, and used cell phones.
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December 17, 2010 – Rock Lake Elementary School Nominates CFAWL, OCBA Young Lawyers as Partners in Education
For the commitment demonstrated since 2005, Rock Lake Elementary nominated Central Florida Association of Women Lawyers and Orange County Bar Association/Young Lawyers as the school's Partner in Education. Each year, the two organizations collaborate to donate school supplies to the school.
In letter of nomination, representatives from Rock Lake Elementary noted the following:
“The importance of the school supplies cannot be underestimated. In a school where 96% of the students receive free or reduced breakfast and lunch and approximately 24% of the students are experiencing homelessness, school supplies are often a luxury for the families. Having the adequate amount of appropriate supplies that are new boosts a child’s confidence, and creates the positive attitude that is necessary for achievement in school.”
In addition to providing school supplies to the school, in 2010 the Young Lawyers and CFAWL participated in the school’s annual food drive to provide Thanksgiving baskets for families in the school and community, as well as the county-wide Teach In event. At the Teach In, the two groups sent lawyers to attend classes of fourth and fifth graders to share aspects of their job with the students, read books, and distribute treats.
For the fifth year in a row, CFAWL sponsored a holiday party in December for Rock Lake students, selected based on need. The organization provided cupcakes, cookies, juice, Santa hats, and gifts. Each child received stylish new clothes, shoes, toys of their choice, bicycles, and a host of other gifts.
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July 27, 2010 - CFAWL Co-Sponsors Back Pack Project Benefit
The Young Lawyers Section of the Orange County Bar Association, the Central Florida Association for Women Lawyers, and the Legal Marketing Association co-hosted 75 attendees at a happy hour at Urban Flats in Downtown Orlando. The event raised $1,050.00 to benefit the Back Pack Project, which provides school supplies to children at Rock Lake Elementary who would not otherwise have the resources needed for a successful school year.
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July 9, 2010 - CFAWL Receives 2010 Outstanding Chapter Award
The Florida Association for Women Lawyers recognized CFAWL as its 2010 Outstanding Chapter. The award was announced at FAWL's Annual Reception on June 24, 2010.
This Award is presented annually to the FAWL Chapter that has: (1) created new programs, events or services and/or expanded on traditional programs, events or services that further FAWL’s mission; (2) provided programs, events or services that encourage and assist members to become leaders in the profession and in the community; (3) sought and gained exposure and recognition in both the legal community and the community as a whole; (4) successfully recruited and retained members; and (5) consistently participated in the state FAWL organization by paying dues in a timely manner, has an active chapter representative, attended meetings and functions, encouraged volunteers for committees and offices, worked well with other Local Chapters, and assisted with FAWL projects. The Award is selected by FAWL's Board of Directors, which includes representatives from chapters around the state of Florida.
As the award recipient, CFAWL received a five hundred dollar ($500.00) cash prize from FAWL.
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July 9, 2010 - Congratulations to CFAWL's Leaders in the Law
5 CFAWL members have been awarded FAWL’s 2010 “Leaders in Law Award”:
- Judge Karen Jennemann
- Mary Ann Morgan
- Heather Rodriguez
- Mary Ann Etzler
- Melanie Griffin
In June 2010, FAWL announced its inaugural group of outstanding women lawyers from around the state. A total of 24 women lawyers received this award. FAWL Chapters nominated women who have made significant impacts in their communities. The recognition is intended to promote women who are not necessarily at the pinnacle of their career, but rather women who have made meaningful contributions in their communities through their legal service or volunteer activities and who have provided a positive role model for FAWL members.
This Award is presented to women in the local community who are licensed to practice law (lawyers, judges, mediators, etc.) who have: (1) earned the respect of others professionally, (2) been involved in activities for the betterment of their local community, (3) exemplified the qualities of a positive role model, and (4) advanced the cause of women in the community.