Women's Club
The Women’s Club of the Retreat
Meetings are 3rd Monday of each month, October through May. All Women of the Retreat are most welcome and encouraged to join!
The remaining schedule is for 2023 is:
February 20
March 20
April 17
May 15.
President's Message
The mission of the Women’s Club is to promote social, educational, cultural and charitable activities for the women of our community. Guided by official by-laws, several committees plan events and activities and hold a charitable fundraiser each year.
Every woman is welcome and encouraged to join the Women’s Club! (Here's a link to the application) Meetings are held at the Clubhouse on the third Monday of each month, October through May. Social time begins at 6:15 pm and the meeting starts at 6:30 pm. Luncheons, outside activities and craft events are scheduled throughout each month and are announced in the Mail Room and in the Retreat Newsletter.
The Women’s Club of the Retreat supports Martin County charities serving women and/or children and each year the membership chooses one charity to receive the proceeds from our fundraising event(s). Most recently we have donated to 4C’s (Caring Children Clothing Children), Safe Space (a domestic violence program) and Meals on Wheels. In addition to supporting one charity a year, we donate half of our annual dues to a monthly purchase of food for the House of Hope food pantry. We also have 1-2 food drives to collect non-perishable food items that are delivered to the House of Hope. Over the years, our Retreat community has donated over 44,000 pounds of food to this charity.
2022-2023 Women's Club Officers
Meg Ochotorena, Vice President;
Fran Spaulding, Treasurer;
Dottie Sacco, Past President;
Cindy Sibilia,Secretary;
Sue Arnold, President
PAST PRESIDENTS
Mary Clifford, Pat Williams, Karin Ryan, Audrey DeLoffi, Joanne Estes, Bettyann Dixson, Marlene Boobar
PAST CO-PRESIDENTS
Pat Williams and Mary Clifford
2017-2019 PRESIDENT
Marilyn Patterson
History of the Women’s Club of the Retreat
By way of background, it was the spring of 2002 that residents began moving into the Retreat. Neighbors were meeting neighbors, yet what seemed lacking was an avenue to meet other residents from adjacent phases of the community. When the Clubhouse was completed, cocktail parties became the first venue for meeting new friends and welcoming new homeowners. From that early activity, a group of women, too many to name, began a Social Committee. In 2004, the first slate of officers of the newly formed Women’s Club evolved from that Social Committee.
The founders of the Women’s Club were Mary Paukstys, Brenda Frank, Mary Regan and Coni McGuinn. These women wrote a mission statement, adopted by-laws, and formed various committees to plan events and charitable activities. Membership grew and residents became more involved. Over the years the Club has financially supported many Martin County charities, including but not limited to, the House of Hope, Safe Space, Hibiscus House, Hope Rural School in Indiantown, Martin County Literacy Council and the Pink Tie Organization.
In the 2021-2022 season, the Club celebrated our membership of over 120 women! The Women’s Club of the Retreat continues to provide opportunities for women of the Retreat to welcome new residents, make new friends and share many experiences together.
Dues is $25 for the year, and may be sent to the Treasurer: Fran Spaulding 9184 SE Hawks Nest Ct., Hobe Sound, FL. 33455
Please consider dropping by any meeting to check us out.
OVER 44,000 Pounds of Food Collected as of October 2021
HOUSE HOPE