The Organization for Campus Women (OCW) had a coffee clutch Oct. 28 to kick off their membership for its 40th year at UW-La Crosse.

This year OCW president Maggie McHugh hopes to revitalize the organization, "We're looking for new members and excitement, it's all about that bubbly energetic attitude to get people inspire", said McHugh.

The OCW is comprised of faculty, staff, and graduate student women who work together to bring campus women together to aid each other and the community. The collaboration promotes equal opportunity for women by the different committees. "We really focus on connecting women to create awareness through the different committees," said McHugh.

Some committees are: Honors/Scholarship/Fundraising, Newsletter/ Website, Book Club, and Symposium. These are not the only committees, and they are always looking for new aspects that have a shared interest in the organization that they can use to help promote women's issues.

"We're always looking for new members, and with Growth Quality Access we have more and more women on campus, it's a great way to network each other," said McHugh, "some women have even been involved for ten or more years."

As of now the OCW has about 30 members and their goal is a strong 60. McHugh and the rest of the OCW plan on getting more members though there meet and greets like the coffee clutch and their annual Coat and Mitten Drive that kicks off Nov.1.

"This year we are having a cookie off," said McHugh, "we have a group of two men and five women who are going to be making their best cookies." After the cookies are made, they will be selling raffle tickets for five dollars, and on Nov. 9, those with tickets can come and sample the cookies.

Fundraising is something the OCW likes to do to keep women of the community connected as well. Proceeds for the cookie off will go into the scholarship fund, and their annual Coat and Mitten Drive donations get sent to the New Horizons women's shelter in La Crosse as well as the Salvation Army. "It's not just about women on campus, it's women in the community as well," said McHugh.

"The OCW is for women who want to unite whatever passion they have that they can bring back to affecting women," said McHugh

Throughout the OCW history it is this passion has worked to support equal pay at UW-L and work hand in hand with the child care center.

For more information about the OCW and how to get involved, you can contact president, Maggie McHugh or visit www.uwalax.edu/ocw.