Departments

and Committees

The Porch Club has numerous departments and committees providing a wide variety of opportunities for members to become involved, forge new friendships, and contribute to the club and community.

Departments

Arts Creative 


Arts Creative arranges for speakers, workshops, trips, and programs related to arts and crafts throughout the year. They decorate the clubhouse for holidays and encourage participation in the District Achievement Conference.

Arts Performing

Arts Performing develops programs that include music, dance, and drama. This includes the songs at general meetings, leading the Porch Club chorus, and a bi-annual dramatic presentation for the general membership.

Communications


Communications is responsible for maintaining the Club’s website and the FaceBook page including photographs of club activities.  This committee also handles publicity, preparation and publishing our bi-monthly newsletter, The Porch Door. It maintains the Club’s online calendar and sends out weekly emails to the members keeping them abreast of what’s going on that week. This committee is also responsible for producing the member “Yearbook, ‘ which includes the member directory, annual calendar of events and other pertinent information.

Evening 


The Evening Department provides monthly programs to meet the interests and needs of working members as well as the general membership. Meetings can include brief Porch Club business updates, followed by program topics that are timely, diverse, educational, and fun. Activities include fundraisers and good deed events which generously contribute to the Porch Club’s charitable efforts in the community.

Garden/Conservation


The Garden Department is one of the most active and popular departments of the Porch Club of Riverton. Recently the area of Conservation was added to the department heading. Members are able to attend lectures, garden workshops, and trips to a variety of garden and conservation venues in the tri-state area. Maintenance of the Porch Club gardens, as well as the grooming and planting of downtown Riverton, are also activities the members enjoy. Other opportunities include flower arrangements and decorations for the monthly meetings and teas. On alternate years the Garden Department hosts their famous Garden Tour. The Tour is a major fundraiser for the Porch Club and highlights the homes and gardens of Riverton, Palmyra, and Cinnaminson.

Home Life/Social Services


The Home Life Department includes programs that acquaint members with contemporary issues facing their communities and offer resources to enable clubwomen to improve their communities through volunteerism. Activities include preparing sandwiches for Cathedral Kitchen, collecting baby clothes and preparing dinner for Ronald McDonald House.

House


The House Department is in charge of maintenance of our building including cleaning, repairs, inspections, snow removal, and grass cutting. We purchase the supplies necessary for running The Porch Club and make sure that everything is running and in ship shape.

International Outreach


The International Outreach department allows clubs to reach beyond their own communities through education and global awareness. The club sponsors a child through ChildFund International, supports UNICEF, and arranges an annual International covered dish lunch where a chosen international relief organization is highlighted.

Education/Literature


Education/Literature department meets monthly to discuss literature and they host an annual Book and Author luncheon to support Literacy Volunteers of Burlington County. The department also supports Riverton and Palmyra schools through supply collections and “Read Across America” activities.

Membership


The Membership Department handles matters relating to membership status, with special attention to recruiting new members. The Department seeks to ensure that all new members are welcomed and involved in Club activities and that longstanding members are recognized and appreciated.

Public Issues


The Public Issues department maintains an awareness of our community’s social, economic, health, environmental and political issues and uses our time and resources to help in their resolution. Supported organizations include Riverview Estates and Interfaith Hospitality Network of Burlington County.

Rentals


The Rental department handles all requests for rental of the clubhouse and all aspects of completing the rental and follow-up after the rental.

Stitchery


The Stitchery department provides education and assistance on all facets of stitching – needlepoint, quilting, knitting, crocheting, crafts, etc. This group meets weekly to assist members with their projects or to work on group projects such as the quilts that have been raffled. They also produce items as fundraisers for the Club.

Ways & Means


The Ways & Means department is responsible for fundraising for the club. Past events include  Boscov’s Friends and family, Beef and Beer, Bus trips, coupon book sales et al.

Committees

Charitable Giving


The Charitable Giving committee decides where to send the proceeds from undesignated fundraising efforts. Emphasis is on local charities benefitting women and children.

Decorating


The Decorating Committee designs and decorates rooms in and around the area for special events at various institutions from the historic mansions in Fairmont Park to the foyer of a local elementary school.

Finance

The Finance committee prepares the yearly budget and oversees the audit of the financial records.

Flower Show


Members prepare and install an exhibit at the annual PHS International Flower Show in Philadelphia. Preparing for the Flower Show is a unique learning experience. Members view the behind-the-scenes activities as well as learn how to build and maintain an exhibit for display.

Greeters


Greeters provide two hostesses at each General Membership meeting to greet members as they arrive.

Hospitality


Members assist in setting up the club for the monthly General Meetings/Tea. They also arrange for two catered luncheons each year.

Paint the Porch Pink


Paint the Porch Pink is a unique breast cancer fundraising walk hosted by The Porch Club, held every two years. The inaugural event was in 2011. Participants stroll through Riverton, stopping at ‘Pink Porches’ to enjoy a variety of pink refreshments and listen to live music. Funds are raised by the sale of commemorative t-shirts, raffles, and donations from individuals and business sponsors that lend support. The Walk website is www.painttheporchpink.org.  There is also a Facebook page: Paint the Porch Pink Breast Cancer Walk.

Rummage Sale


The Rummage Sale committee takes care of all aspects of holding a two-day rummage sale held twice a year. Donations from the community are appreciated. Please check the calendar for drop off dates and times in the spring and fall.