Altrusa International of Tidewater, Inc.

Tidewater Altrusan Newsletter

July 2021

President's Message

July arrived with its usual heat, humidity, and storms. This seems to be a month of planning for Altrusans, with committees meeting and individuals being creative for our holiday bazaar!

We had a successful Retreat in June with many attending and many ideas shared. One new adventure was our silent auction bidding- members bought tickets for a drawing to take home prizes. I was extremely fortunate, see a picture later! As a club, we collected $185 and were able to send school supplies directly to North Carolina for International Convention service project and have some extra for our own budget! In July we will bring any extra jewelry to our meeting July 19 at JoKell Inc. for a similar sale!

We have learned to try new things since the pandemic. With an adventurous spirit, we can be open to new experiences. I am welcoming my first trip to an International Convention. We all deserve growth, fun, and a life full of energy. With courage let’s each try new things. Make July be a time of adventure.

Your adventurous president,

Ellen

Important Dates / Information

July 8: Service Committee meeting (via Zoom)

July 14: Board meeting (via Zoom)

July 19: Program / Business Meeting

5:30 pm: Social / Silent auction

6:00 pm at JoKell's in Chesapeake. 628 Innovation Dr, Chesapeake, VA 2332

August 11: Board meeting (via Zoom)

August 16: Program / Business Meeting, 6:00 pm @ JoKell's. Bring a salad to share.

July 28-31: 2021 Altrusa International Convention

Come share costume jewelry at our July 19 meeting. We will have a great time clearing out our own unused jewelry and go home with a few others! It's a ways and means project voted on at our retreat.

Altrusa International Convention 2021

Foundation Silent Auction

A silent auction will be held to benefit Altrusa International Foundation at the International Convention July 28, 2021, through August 1, 2021. Altrusa club members are invited to contribute items to be auctioned if they wish.

Please bring items to our July monthly meeting or contact me to make other arrangements. Please keep in mind that items should be small enough for our members to carry in their cars, and recipients, who may be traveling by air, can transport them easily. Some items that have been auctioned in the past have included baskets, jewelry, small pieces of art, collectibles, scarves, bags, wallets, packaged food items, sewn and other handmade items, and more. Any items would be appreciated! If you have any questions, please feel free to call or message me. Thanks so much!

Joanne Baines

Zoom Link for Altrusa Meetings:

Click here to join all scheduled Altrusa Zoom Meetings. The password is the same with a capital first letter.

Board Actions from July 2021 Board Meeting

No voting was done at the July 14th Board meeting.
We will be activity searching for a location for future meetings.
At the July Business meeting, a committee will be developed to begin planning for the 2023 District Two Conference.

Accent

Hello and Happy Independence Day!

July 2, 2021

I hope this message finds you all doing well. I just returned from a long overdue visit with my beautiful mother in Florida. Covid had kept us apart for over a year, but I am thankful for Facetime and daily chats on the phone. My mother has gracefully entered her Golden Years and I am blessed to still have her with me. Before I left, we planned our next visit and I am looking forward to having her share Christmas here in my home.

Today is July 2, 2021 and as I write our Accent, it is raining cats and dogs! After some research, I found some very interesting history of July 2nd and our upcoming 4th of July. Did you know that John Adams believed that July 2nd was the correct date on which to celebrate the birth of American independence, and would reportedly turn down invitations to appear at July 4th events in protest? Adams and Thomas Jefferson both died on July 4, 1826—the 50th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. Please see the link below with some additional information about our Nation’s holiday: https://constitutioncenter.org/blog/when-is-the-real-independence-day-july-2-or-july-4/

When researching history, it is interesting to find those rare facts and “tidbits” about our American leaders & Founding Fathers. As Altrusans, we remain focused on improving the lives and well-being of those who are close to us, as well as, those who are strangers in our community. When we share our commitment to serving our community, those who were once strangers evolve into friends and neighbors. In the spirit of Independence Day, let’s take a moment to celebrate our country, those who have served, and those who have given the ultimate sacrifice. In addition, we now share a “friendship” with folks “across the pond” who were once our adversaries.

Please enjoy the words of John Adams; he wrote to his wife Abigail that July 2nd “will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival” and that the celebration should include “Pomp and Parade…Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other.”

Wishing you and yours a fun, safe, and memorable Independence Day!

All the Best,

Tracey

Committee Reports

Service Committee: Joanne & June, Co-Chairs

A service meeting was held via Zoom on July 8, 2021, with nine members in attendance. Plans were discussed regarding service projects conducted the previous two club year’s as well as some new project ideas. A report will be presented at our upcoming monthly meeting when club members will vote on committee recommendations. Hope to see you there to vote on your favorite projects!

Joanne Baines and June Kates

Service Committee Co - Chairs

Retreat 2021

RetreatRevised.pdf

To view Tidewater's Strategic Plan (working copy), click here.

Program/Business Minutes: June 2021

Altrusa International of Tidewater June2021.docx

Treasurer's Report: July 2021

TREASURER'S REPORT JULY 2021.docx

Altrusa Literary Society

Book club met in June to discuss The Splendid and the Vile at Swan. Terrace.

If you're interested...

If you're interested in purchasing an Altrusa of Tidewater t-shirt, contact Jennifer. You can provide your own shirt!

Carol traveled twice in June. First to Connecticut to celebrate granddaughter Sophie’s birthday. A highlight was a visit to Stonecrop Garden in NY followed by traditional afternoon tea. The next trip was a stay at a beautiful B&B in Cape Charles.