Happy new year! With the holidays behind us, our attention turns to selecting the nonprofits that will receive Women's Fund grants from the combined donations of our members. Thanks to all our 2012 members - new and returning - for creating the 2012-13 grants pool which we will award on April 29.

Our diligent Research Committee is narrowing the potential grantees for our 2012-13 ballot - which, for the first time, will be shared with all 2012 members in March via e-mail instead of "snail mail" paper ballots. This is a major cost-saving step and we are working hard to ensure the process is clear, timely and user-friendly.

Here are some important dates for you to note on your calendars:

VOTING to select our new grantees

On March 18 - Ballot worksheets and background information will be sent to all 2012 WF members via our electronic newsletter. This information will be useful for planning your individual or group vote. The actual ballot will be e-mailed separately on March 22 to eligible voters.

On March 21 - Individual Members will meet at 3 pm to discuss the ballot and learn how to vote electronically. If you are an Individual Member, look for your invitation the last week of February.

On March 22 - Group Captains will meet at 9:30 am to discuss ballot choices, get tips on leading their group meetings and learn how to vote electronically. Next month captains will receive an electronic invitation to the March 22 meeting. Captains may want to set up a meeting for their group to decide on their group vote sometime between March 22 and the April 5 voting deadline.

March 22 - Eligible voters (Individual Members and Group Captains) will receive an e-mail from Survey Monkey that includes a link to cast their vote electronically.

On April 5 - Deadline for electronic voting by eligible voters.

CELEBRATING our new grantees

April 29 - SAVE-THE-DATE for our annual Presentation of Funds Luncheon on Monday, April 29 at the Doubletree. This is the exciting event where our 2012 members gather to celebrate our new 2012-13 grantees. These nonprofits will join the 47 other agencies who have received $3.6 million in Women's Fund grants since 2004.