Women's Association
Women's Association Purpose:
Celebrating 100 Years: The Women's Association was founded in 1926 and is proud to mark its 100th anniversary in 2026, coinciding with the CSA's own 125th anniversary. For a century, the Women's Association has worked to enhance the holistic well-being and community connection of Congregational Summer Assembly individuals and families through targeted programs, fundraising, and service initiatives.
The Women's Association is an independently governed organization with its own Board and finances, and holds a voting seat on the CSA Board of Trustees. Under the leadership of its Executive Committee and approval of its Board, the Women's Association considers funding requests from Association members, the CSA Board of Trustees and/or Committees, and other members of the CSA community at large.
Celebrating 100 Years of the Women's Association
2026 is a milestone year for the Women's Association, and we have planned three special centennial events to honor our 100th anniversary. We hope you will join us for one -- or all -- of them.
- Women-Led Church Service | Sunday, July 26, 11:15 am | Meeting House
- Afternoon High Tea: Honoring 100 Years of the Women's Association | Tuesday, July 28, 3:00-5:00 pm | Assembly Building
- 1926 Meets 2026: A Roaring 20s Party to Celebrate 100 Years of the Women's Association | Friday, July 31, 7:00-10:30 pm | CSA Ballfield | $10/person, ages 16+
Purchase Tickets Here
Other 2026 Women's Association events include the Annual Arts and Crafts Fair on Wednesday, July 22, and the Annual Meeting on Friday, July 24 at 10:00 am.
Funding Criteria:
- Spiritual and Religious Enrichment
- Recreation and Creativity
- Nature and the Environment
- Health and Safety
- Education and Training
- General Administrative needs of the WA and CSA
In the past, the Women’s Association has approved funding for speakers, for supplies for Art Classes and Workshops, for the Children’s Library, Ecology Projects, Tennis Program, Lemonade Sunday, Youth Programs, and Equipment for the Assembly
.
The primary source of our funding is the annual Arts and Crafts Fair and associated events, including the Silent Auction and Cottage Treasures Rummage Sale. In 2026, the Fair will be held on Wednesday, July 22 -- and as part of our centennial celebration, it promises to be a special one. More details are available on the Art Fair Information and Q&A for Vendors pages.
The CSA Women’s Association looks forward to “FUN-Raising and “FUND-Raising” with you, and seeing you at our events! Click here to Learn More about us
Questions? Suggestions? Comments? Contact: Tammy Moore
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE WOMEN'S ASSOCIATION
FINANCE POLICY AND ANNUAL REPORT
The Women's Association, under the leadership of its Executive Committee and approval of its Board, considers funding requests from Association members, the CSA Board of Trustees and/or Committees, and other members of the CSA community at large. Funding will be considered for programs and purchases in these categories:
- Spiritual and Religious Enrichment
- Recreation and Creativity
- Nature and the Environment
- Health and Safety
- Education and Training
- General Administrative needs of the WA and CSA
WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION FUNDING APPLICATION
To be considered for funding for specific projects, programs and/or purchases, please complete the CSA Women's Association Funding Request Form. Please note the following:
Funding requests to the CSA Women's Association will be accepted from October 1st through June 1st of each fiscal year on a rolling basis, pending the availability of funds.
- Each funding request must fit one or more of the funding categories.
- The earlier requests are received during the Oct. 1 - June 1 time period, the better the Women's Association is able to plan its overall budget and programming for the coming season.
- The WA strives to honor all eligible funding requests, however, based on the variability of each year's funding raising and circumstances, funding is not guaranteed.
Questions? Contact Tammy Moore
PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS SUPPORTED BY THE WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION
The service, support and funding generated by the Women’s Association contributes to many CSA and community activities, programs and projects. Below is a list of recent initiatives supported with WA funds:
CSA Programs and Activities
- Art Workshops
- Authors and Artisans Fair
- Children’s Library
- Ecology Fun
- Ecology Interns
- Fitness Classes – yoga, Pilates and water aerobics
- Landscaping
- Lemonade Sunday
- Speakers
- Youth Arts and Crafts Classes
- Youth Program – weekly pizza
- Welcome gifts for CSA Births
- Welcome Teas to meet new members
CSA Special Projects and Purchases
- Butterfly Garden at Crystal View
- Tennis Shed
- File Cabinet for Membership
- Beverage Recycling Receptacles and Recycling Bin Lids
- Materials for replacing swim rafts
- Access Ramp at entrance of Crystal View
- Crystal Beach Playground -- ongoing fundraising and installation
Charitable Donations to Benzie County Non-Profit and Social Service Organizations
Each year WA makes donations to area non-profits and/or social service organizations that directly support programs for women and children in Benzie County. We encourage anyone interested to support these worthwhile organizations which serve both year-round and seasonal residents. Organizations receiving funding from the Women’s Association in recent years include:
- BACN - Feminine Hygiene products
- Benzie Senior Resource Center - Senior Essential Needs Fund
- Cognition Beulah - Interactive Science and Discovery Playground
- Crystal Lake & Watershed Association - Swimmer’s Itch Prevention Program
- Grow Benzie - Early Childhood Nutrition Program/Neighborhood Center Program
- Imagination Library, Frankfort - Monthly books to registered children (National Dolly Parton reading program)
- Paul Oliver Healthcare Foundation - Pediatric ER – iPads/cover/headphones
- Philips Baby Pantry - Snow suits
Fundraisers
The Women’s Association’s impact and contributions would not be possible without successful fundraising, which often involves many volunteers from the larger CSA community. The Women’s Association primary fundraiser is the annual Arts & Crafts Fair and associated events:
The Annual Arts & Crafts Fair
- Artist Booths
- Cottage Treasures
- Silent Auction
- Treasure Trove
Merchandise Sales
There is no formal “membership” in the Women’s Association. All CSA members are welcome to participate in, or volunteer for, any Women’s Association activity or event.
The Women's Association is led by a board of very dedicated, active, fun-loving CSA volunteers who strive to make the CSA a vital, safe, and welcoming community. The board meets in person monthly during the summer season and typically holds two or three virtual meetings as needed throughout the year.
New Women’s Association Board members are nominated (or self-nominated) and approved at the annual meeting held in the summer and serve for a term of three years. Due to life’s unexpected nature, some Board members serve for two years, and we strive to be flexible.
The Women's Association holds a voting seat on the CSA Board of Trustees, represented at meetings throughout the summer and at the November winter meeting by the WA President, or an approved designee.
2026 WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION BOARD
|
Role |
Board Member |
|
President |
Tammy Moore |
|
Vice President |
Mia Henley |
|
Secretary |
Kathryn Dwyer |
|
Treasurer |
Jan Lauerman |
|
Communications Chair |
Kate Kirkwood |
|
Arts & Crafts Fair Co-Chair |
Jennifer Thomson |
|
Arts & Crafts Fair Co-Chair |
Cynnie Hood |
|
Member at Large |
Margie Finley |
|
Member at Large |
Celia Lee |
|
Member at Large |
Joni Leete |
|
Member at Large |
Dana Faulk Query |
FINANCE POLICY AND ANNUAL REPORT
The Women’s Association budget and expenditures are approved by the WA Board, managed by the WA Treasurer, and reported to the CSA Board of Trustees Treasurer and Budget Committee. For more information on the Women's Association finances and budget, please contact the Treasurer Jan Lauerman.
