GEMS Girls' Clubs - Our History

Our History

GEMS Girls’ Clubs/Calvinettes
1958 - 2011 | Fifty-three Years of Ministry!

In 1957, God brought together a group of women with a passion for helping girls grow closer to Him. As a result, GEMS Girls’ Clubs (then Calvinettes) was born.

Today, GEMS Girls’ Clubs is still seeing that passion lived out across the world. God’s Spirit is moving, and the GEMS ministry is touching the lives of thousands of women and girls each year.

While looking ahead, we also look back at the decades of blessings God has already provided.

GEMS girls

Do you remember these Annual Themes (1961 - 2011)?

1957
	August \| The YCF (Young Calvinist Federation) board agreed that the girls’ club movement required assistance and appointmed a committee to take action in this matter.
1958
	January \| Meeting resulted in appointment of committee to prepare program and constitution. February \| Organizational meeting held at Beverly CRC, Wyoming, Michigan. Panel discussion included: Importance of meeting spiritual needs of girls and molding their lives Inviting all girls to join The goal of clubs should be: Study of the Word, encourage participation Christian fellowship among girls Good fun Developing leadership Get spiritual interest of girls back into church rather than school April \| The suggestion was made to use the name Calvinettes for the organization.
1959
	January \| It was decided to: Order white neckerchiefs Have badges and emblem designed Approve certificates of rank February \| First Aid badge - required for Gleaner; Etiquette and Hostessing - required for Reaper; Homemaking - required for Harvester. June \| Leadership Training Committee appointed to plan Leadership Training Courses for various areas to include instruction on how to teach the Bible lessons as well as handicraft demonstration.
1960
	January \| Mrs. L. Barb Vredevoogd appointed first (part-time) Calvinette Director.
1961
	Theme - Calvinettes Be Thankful to God - first theme introduced.
1964
	July \| Calvinist Cadet Corps - YCF Study committee presented a suggested organizational chart consisting of three youth ministry branches (Calvinettes, Cadets, and YCF) headed by a united youth board. The organizational structure was approved.
1965
	July \| Shirley Lautenbach appointed part-time Calvinette director.
1966
	September 29 \| Calvinettes has 461 clubs.
1969
	February \| A new part time director, Cecilia Mereness, was hired. The Charm Course from Manna Publications was offered for grades 9 and 10. October \| The decision was made to work toward a new magazine for Calvinettes.
1970
	February \| Magazine name: Touch - suggests contact; by touching we are aware of others. Suggests that girls, counselors, and the Service Center keep in touch by sharing ideas, plans, suggestions. July \| 1st Calvinette Counselors’ Convention held in Niagara Falls, Ontario. September \| First issue of Touch published. December \| Touch Circulation at 9,700.
1971
	April \| The three ministries of Cadets, Calvinettes, and YCF joined together as UCY (United Calvinist Youth) and were all housed in the same in Grand Rapids, MI.
1972
	January \| Report on program revision committee: Badges for Junior and Senior Calvinettes should be separated. July \| Program revisions included: The youngest girls would be called Busy Bees. Uniform suggested: a yellow vest with a bee insignia for membership. The rank structure was dropped from current programs. November \| Adopted as Calvinette verse and aim: Micah 6:8, song: Jesus Is All the World to Me.
1973
	March \| A survey showed approximately 20% of girls in Calvinettes did not come from families who attended church.
1976
	March \| Jo Ilbrink hired as the first full-time Executive Director. May \| A committee was appointed to write new material for Advanced Calvinettes to replace Manna Publications’ Charm Course.
1978
	July \| First theme badge developed, first theme sectional offered at Convention.
1981
	May \| Bible helps publication renamed Connections, mailed three times per year to registered clubs. Cable becomes a quarterly publication to counselors.
1983 \| Happy 25th Anniversary GEMS/Calvinettes
1987
	March \| Decision made to begin long-range plan to unify all program levels and materials.
1989
	January \| Position of part-time Leadership Training Coordinator approved. July \| Women of Faith - Then and Now for Busy Bees introduced at Convention in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
1990
	July \| Clothes Designed by Jesus for Busy Bees introduced at Convention in London, Ontario. November \| A program introduced to minister to girls who live in isolated areas: mission fields, military bases, etc.
1992
	June \| Decision made to change the name of Busy Bees to Awareness Calvinettes. July \| Revised Discovery handbook introduced at Convention in Vancouver, British Columbia.
1993
	November \| Personnel Committee accepted Jo Ilbrink’s intention to retire as of March 1, 1995.
1994
	January \| The CEB (Calvinettes Executive Board) approved expanding Awareness Calvinettes to first grade. July \| Celebrate 25th Annual Calvinette Counselors' Convention at Wheaton, Illinois. November \| Jan Boone selected to be Executive Director upon Jo Ilbrink’s retirement.
1995
	January \| The Awareness Level names to include: Grade One - Observer, Grade Two - Learner, Grade Three - Achiever. CEB approves Touch to include use of full color on some pages. February \| Jo Ilbrink retires as Executive Director. March \| Jan Boone begins tenure as Executive Director. New Awareness materials to replace Busy Bees and Blossoms and Beehives. Titles for new materials: God’s Kids (grade 1), Hearts Reaching Up to God, and Hearts Reaching Out to Others (grades 2 & 3). May \| Approved adopting new version of Jesus is All the World to Me by Colleen & Grace. Touch utilizes first full color insert. Touch circulation is 15,000. November \| GEMS Girls’ Clubs chosen as the new name of the ministry. This was done in an effort to better convey our mission and vision – helping bring girls everywhere into a living, dynamic relationship with Jesus Christ.
1996
	January \| A new logo for GEMS Girls’ Clubs was adopted. March \| New advanced curriculum Finishing Touches! completed and approved to market outside of GEMS/Calvinettes. May \| GEB (GEMS Executive Board) decides to adopt the title Club Coordinator instead of Head Counselor. First Annual GEMS Golf Classic held – a fundraiser for GEMS Girls’ Clubs. September \| Touch magazine goes full color throughout! November \| GEB approves revising the Discovery Badge Book and utilizing more color on the merit badges.
1997
	September \| 1st Celebration Gathering held in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
1998 \| Happy 40th Birthday GEMS/Calvinettes
1999
	August \| 1st Get Connected! Camp is held on Lake Tippecanoe in Webster, Indiana
2000
	May \| Finishing Touches! On Guard Series & Kingdom Kids made available. November \| ACTS (Area Counselor Training and Support Program) adopted. Thirty Four areas replaced the existing 52 councils. This will provide on enhanced plan for delivering training to leaders.
2001
	March \| Bridges board game is designed. May \| Touch magazine has a name change – SHINE brightly. A new magazine for Awareness Level girls is introduced – Sparkle. Power House is the new name given to the previously named Celebration Gatherings.
2002
	April \| New website for GEMS unveiled. September \| GEMS has been invited to be involved in the Girls of Grace tour organized by Point of Grace.
2003
	March \| SHINE brightly sold through QSP – Reader’s Digest Fundraiser Program – catalog, enabling girls not in club to more easily purchase the magazine. November \| The name of Counselor’s Convention was changed to Counselors’ Leadership Conference. December \| The first Heartwarming Christmas Tour of Homes is held – a fundraiser for GEMS Girls’ Clubs.
2005
	January \| New version of Jesus is All the World to Me by Colleen & Grace is produced. May \| Believin’ It Girlz Tour is the new name given to the previously named Power House. September \| GEMS Girls’ Clubs is introduced to the idea of expanding GEMS Clubs to Zambia.
2006
	July \| A team goes to Zambia, Africa to build The House that GEMS Built for orphans. Training for Zambian women to be GEMS Counselors also takes place. Four new clubs are started in Zambia, Africa.
2007
	January \| Christian Service Brigade partners with GEMS. March \| A promo video for GEMS Girls’ Clubs is created. This can be used in churches or at large community gatherings to promote GEMS. April \| The GEMS website is given a completely new and fresh look. SHINE brightly circulation is 15, 578. Sparklecirculation is 5,119.
2008 \| Happy 50th Anniversary GEMS/Calvinettes
2009
	July \| Construction on The Esther School in Zambia began. November \| GEMS partners with Zonderkidz to bring The Beauty of Beliving Tour to Grand Rapids, MI
2010
	January \| Two interns travel to Zambia to work with clubs, help with training, and support the growing number of CITs there. September \| It is decided to adapt GEMS Zambian curriculum for use in all developing countries.
2011
	July \| GEMS International is introduced as the newest facet to the overall ministry.

Leaders' Blog

Girls' Blog

1957
	August \| The YCF (Young Calvinist Federation) board agreed that the girls’ club movement required assistance and appointmed a committee to take action in this matter.
1958
	January \| Meeting resulted in appointment of committee to prepare program and constitution. February \| Organizational meeting held at Beverly CRC, Wyoming, Michigan. Panel discussion included: Importance of meeting spiritual needs of girls and molding their lives Inviting all girls to join The goal of clubs should be: Study of the Word, encourage participation Christian fellowship among girls Good fun Developing leadership Get spiritual interest of girls back into church rather than school April \| The suggestion was made to use the name Calvinettes for the organization.
1959
	January \| It was decided to: Order white neckerchiefs Have badges and emblem designed Approve certificates of rank February \| First Aid badge - required for Gleaner; Etiquette and Hostessing - required for Reaper; Homemaking - required for Harvester. June \| Leadership Training Committee appointed to plan Leadership Training Courses for various areas to include instruction on how to teach the Bible lessons as well as handicraft demonstration.
1960
	January \| Mrs. L. Barb Vredevoogd appointed first (part-time) Calvinette Director.
1961
	Theme - Calvinettes Be Thankful to God - first theme introduced.
1964
	July \| Calvinist Cadet Corps - YCF Study committee presented a suggested organizational chart consisting of three youth ministry branches (Calvinettes, Cadets, and YCF) headed by a united youth board. The organizational structure was approved.
1965
	July \| Shirley Lautenbach appointed part-time Calvinette director.
1966
	September 29 \| Calvinettes has 461 clubs.
1969
	February \| A new part time director, Cecilia Mereness, was hired. The Charm Course from Manna Publications was offered for grades 9 and 10. October \| The decision was made to work toward a new magazine for Calvinettes.
1970
	February \| Magazine name: Touch - suggests contact; by touching we are aware of others. Suggests that girls, counselors, and the Service Center keep in touch by sharing ideas, plans, suggestions. July \| 1st Calvinette Counselors’ Convention held in Niagara Falls, Ontario. September \| First issue of Touch published. December \| Touch Circulation at 9,700.
1971
	April \| The three ministries of Cadets, Calvinettes, and YCF joined together as UCY (United Calvinist Youth) and were all housed in the same in Grand Rapids, MI.
1972
	January \| Report on program revision committee: Badges for Junior and Senior Calvinettes should be separated. July \| Program revisions included: The youngest girls would be called Busy Bees. Uniform suggested: a yellow vest with a bee insignia for membership. The rank structure was dropped from current programs. November \| Adopted as Calvinette verse and aim: Micah 6:8, song: Jesus Is All the World to Me.
1973
	March \| A survey showed approximately 20% of girls in Calvinettes did not come from families who attended church.
1976
	March \| Jo Ilbrink hired as the first full-time Executive Director. May \| A committee was appointed to write new material for Advanced Calvinettes to replace Manna Publications’ Charm Course.
1978
	July \| First theme badge developed, first theme sectional offered at Convention.
1981
	May \| Bible helps publication renamed Connections, mailed three times per year to registered clubs. Cable becomes a quarterly publication to counselors.
1983 \| Happy 25th Anniversary GEMS/Calvinettes
1987
	March \| Decision made to begin long-range plan to unify all program levels and materials.
1989
	January \| Position of part-time Leadership Training Coordinator approved. July \| Women of Faith - Then and Now for Busy Bees introduced at Convention in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
1990
	July \| Clothes Designed by Jesus for Busy Bees introduced at Convention in London, Ontario. November \| A program introduced to minister to girls who live in isolated areas: mission fields, military bases, etc.
1992
	June \| Decision made to change the name of Busy Bees to Awareness Calvinettes. July \| Revised Discovery handbook introduced at Convention in Vancouver, British Columbia.
1993
	November \| Personnel Committee accepted Jo Ilbrink’s intention to retire as of March 1, 1995.
1994
	January \| The CEB (Calvinettes Executive Board) approved expanding Awareness Calvinettes to first grade. July \| Celebrate 25th Annual Calvinette Counselors' Convention at Wheaton, Illinois. November \| Jan Boone selected to be Executive Director upon Jo Ilbrink’s retirement.
1995
	January \| The Awareness Level names to include: Grade One - Observer, Grade Two - Learner, Grade Three - Achiever. CEB approves Touch to include use of full color on some pages. February \| Jo Ilbrink retires as Executive Director. March \| Jan Boone begins tenure as Executive Director. New Awareness materials to replace Busy Bees and Blossoms and Beehives. Titles for new materials: God’s Kids (grade 1), Hearts Reaching Up to God, and Hearts Reaching Out to Others (grades 2 & 3). May \| Approved adopting new version of Jesus is All the World to Me by Colleen & Grace. Touch utilizes first full color insert. Touch circulation is 15,000. November \| GEMS Girls’ Clubs chosen as the new name of the ministry. This was done in an effort to better convey our mission and vision – helping bring girls everywhere into a living, dynamic relationship with Jesus Christ.
1996
	January \| A new logo for GEMS Girls’ Clubs was adopted. March \| New advanced curriculum Finishing Touches! completed and approved to market outside of GEMS/Calvinettes. May \| GEB (GEMS Executive Board) decides to adopt the title Club Coordinator instead of Head Counselor. First Annual GEMS Golf Classic held – a fundraiser for GEMS Girls’ Clubs. September \| Touch magazine goes full color throughout! November \| GEB approves revising the Discovery Badge Book and utilizing more color on the merit badges.
1997
	September \| 1st Celebration Gathering held in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
1998 \| Happy 40th Birthday GEMS/Calvinettes
1999
	August \| 1st Get Connected! Camp is held on Lake Tippecanoe in Webster, Indiana
2000
	May \| Finishing Touches! On Guard Series & Kingdom Kids made available. November \| ACTS (Area Counselor Training and Support Program) adopted. Thirty Four areas replaced the existing 52 councils. This will provide on enhanced plan for delivering training to leaders.
2001
	March \| Bridges board game is designed. May \| Touch magazine has a name change – SHINE brightly. A new magazine for Awareness Level girls is introduced – Sparkle. Power House is the new name given to the previously named Celebration Gatherings.
2002
	April \| New website for GEMS unveiled. September \| GEMS has been invited to be involved in the Girls of Grace tour organized by Point of Grace.
2003
	March \| SHINE brightly sold through QSP – Reader’s Digest Fundraiser Program – catalog, enabling girls not in club to more easily purchase the magazine. November \| The name of Counselor’s Convention was changed to Counselors’ Leadership Conference. December \| The first Heartwarming Christmas Tour of Homes is held – a fundraiser for GEMS Girls’ Clubs.
2005
	January \| New version of Jesus is All the World to Me by Colleen & Grace is produced. May \| Believin’ It Girlz Tour is the new name given to the previously named Power House. September \| GEMS Girls’ Clubs is introduced to the idea of expanding GEMS Clubs to Zambia.
2006
	July \| A team goes to Zambia, Africa to build The House that GEMS Built for orphans. Training for Zambian women to be GEMS Counselors also takes place. Four new clubs are started in Zambia, Africa.
2007
	January \| Christian Service Brigade partners with GEMS. March \| A promo video for GEMS Girls’ Clubs is created. This can be used in churches or at large community gatherings to promote GEMS. April \| The GEMS website is given a completely new and fresh look. SHINE brightly circulation is 15, 578. Sparklecirculation is 5,119.
2008 \| Happy 50th Anniversary GEMS/Calvinettes
2009
	July \| Construction on The Esther School in Zambia began. November \| GEMS partners with Zonderkidz to bring The Beauty of Beliving Tour to Grand Rapids, MI
2010
	January \| Two interns travel to Zambia to work with clubs, help with training, and support the growing number of CITs there. September \| It is decided to adapt GEMS Zambian curriculum for use in all developing countries.
2011
	July \| GEMS International is introduced as the newest facet to the overall ministry.