Hope is a word that comes to my mind today. We are still navigating a new, unfamiliar reality. There doesn’t seem to be a quick end to the pandemic in sight. It is easy to feel hopeless. But what if we choose hope? Maybe we use this time to stay home..
And read books, and listen and rest, and exercise, and make art, and play games, and learn new ways of being, and be still. And listen more deeply. Some meditate, some pray, some dance. Some meet our shadows. And we the people will began to think differently. And heal. And, in the absence of people living in ignorant, dangerous, mindless, and heartless ways, the earth can begin to heal. And when the danger passes, and the people join together again, we will grieve their losses, and make new choices, and create new ways to live and heal the earth fully, as we WILL HEAL. We can hope.
Paraphrased from a poem by Kitty O'Meara ,a former teacher and chaplain from Wisconsin, in trying to process the worsening news surrounding the catastrophic spread of the coronavirus.
Ellen
Important Dates / Information
August 1: Green Run ES Garden Clean-up, 8-11am. Weed, mulch, and cover the raised beds.
August 12: Board Meeting via Zoom
August 17: Program / Business Meeting
September 9: Board Meeting via Zoom
September 20: Program / Business Meeting
Zoom Link for Altrusa Meetings:
Click here to join all scheduled Altrusa Zoom Meetings. The password is the same with a capital first letter.
Accent
In the midst of the turmoil that is happening in our world today, as Altrusans, we can make a difference. Our ongoing commitment to literacy, our environment, and community rings true through our active service and volunteerism. As Americans, our country is divided, and to bring us back together, we must change not only our actions but our mindset! Please consider the following quote:
“To really change the world, we have to help people change the way they see things. Global betterment is a mental process, not one that requires huge sums of money or a high level of authority. Change has to be psychological. So if you want to see real change, stay persistent in educating humanity on how similar we all are than different. Don't only strive to be the change you want to see in the world, but also help all those around you see the world through commonalities of the heart so that they would want to change with you. This is how humanity will evolve to become better. This is how you can change the world. The language of the heart is mankind's main common language.” - Suzy Kassem, Rise Up and Salute the Sun: The Writings of Suzy Kassem
Thank you for your continued commitment to making this world a better place! Please have a blessed day!
Board Actions/Information from August Board Meeting
GRES Literacy Garden: The Board discussed writing a Foundation Grant application for hard surface pathways to make the garden handicapped accessible and to install a Little Free Library in the school garden. The Board will present a motion to write a Foundation Grant application to members at the August meeting.
BUDGET for 2020-2021: The Board discussed the Budget as proposed by the Finance Committee. The Budget was accepted as revised. The Board will present the Budget to the club for approval at the August meeting. Money is forwarded from last year’s budget for several items. The Budget is dependent upon income from the Fall Plant sale and the Bazaar. THE PROPOSED BUDGET IS ATTACHED TO THE NEWSLETTER.(** means the item is dependent on Covid-19 restrictions)
NO DINNER-DINNER: Since we have had six (6) months of meetings without paying for our dinner, members have saved a lot of money. It has been suggested we have a No Dinner-Dinner in September. Members may choose to donate the money they saved and contribute to the club Service Budget. Members can mail checks to Kathy for the Service Budget. The Board will present a motion for a No Dinner-Dinner to members at the August meeting.
Committee Reports
Environmental Committee: If you haven't completed the survey, click the link below.
The Environmental Committee is asking members to fill out this short survey, at the link below, about plastic use at your home. The survey is part of the PlasticFreeJuly movement sponsored by the non-profit Plastic Free Foundation. The Plastic Free Foundation was established in 2017 in western Australia.
This new committee project will start in July and run throughout the remainder of 2020. We want you to get involved. Our goal is to stay connected as a club while working to improve our environment.
We will be sending you more information in the coming weeks on things you can do to reduce plastic waste and also how we plan to track and highlight our members' progress in reducing plastic waste.
GRES Garden Clean-Up: On August 1st, from 8-11:30ish, several members worked to clean up the GRES Garden.
Thank you to all who helped clean up the garden!
Service Committee: The HER Shelter has a luncheon opportunity on September 24th. Please see the flyer for more information.
Membership: At our July meeting we had a visitor - Raquelle - who had previously been an Altrusan in Northern Virginia. She currently lives in Newport News. We hope she will join us! She will be invited to our next meetings, so be sure to greet her with your best Zoom smile! : )
Finance Committee: The finance committee met on Tuesday, August 11 to update the budget for the 2020-21 Club Year. It will be presented to club at Monday's meeting. Please take a few moments to review prior to the meeting.
2020-21 Budget.pdf
Program/Business Minutes: July 2020
July 2020 Minutes for Business/Program Meeting
Treasurer's Report: August 2020
Treasurer's Report August 2020.docx
Altrusa Literary Society
Our Book Club met in July to discuss The Tattooist of Auschwitz. Masked Members Ellen, Carol and June met in person at Barbara’s home. Kathy and Frances, who were called on two phones, listened and added to the discussion by speaker. We just have to be more creative during a pandemic.
The next book club discussion is scheduled for Saturday, September 12. We will meet at Swan Terrace at Regent campus for a brunch at 10:00 AM. Our book is Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman.
Tidewater Tidbits
Asheville School had a socially distanced graduation. Barbara and Don were able to celebrate granddaughter Ann Caton’s graduation by Zoom. Ann Caton had the highest grade point average and also won honors in the Drama Dept. and in Computer Science.
Judy and Charley have been enjoying the beautiful scenery while spending time at their Highland County home. This is a scene from their drive to Spruce Knob, WV the beginning of the month. The last week in August they will return to Ocracoke. When in Norfolk, Judy is attempting to empty the house on Bayview Blvd. that has been home for more than 40 years.
From Blanch: July was spent tending my heat challenged potted garden, sharing my bounty with local seniors and neighbors, and collecting seeds. I Also had the opportunity to bake zucchini bread.
If you're interested...
If you're interested in purchasing an Altrusa of Tidewater t-shirt, contact Jennifer. You can provide your own shirt!
August Birthdays!!
August 12: Lisa Wallace-Davis
August 26: Phyllis Grollman
Check out what our sister-club is up to!
Newsletter Aug 2020 2.pdf
Altrusa of Tidewater, Inc. Goals and Objectives for 2019/2020.
Altrusa of Tidewater Yearbook 2019-20 (1) (1).pdf
Committee Chairs and Members for Club Year 2020-21
Member's last names have been removed for privacy on the website.
If you need to add your name to a committee, contact Ellen and/or Shari.
Copy of 2020-21 Committee Chairs and Members for Website
District Two Information
If you haven't had a chance to review the District Two DSB, take a look: District Two DSB. It was sent to members in July. If you did not receive a copy in your email, check with Kathy so your information is correct in International's system.