Tidewater Altrusan Newsletter
🌞🌧️🌺🌞 May 2024 🌞🌧️🌺🌞
🌞🌧️🌺🌞 May 2024 🌞🌧️🌺🌞
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Hello All,
I hope to see you at our May 20th meeting. It will be exciting! We will have a celebration for our youngster, Emily C.. She will graduate at Longwood University on May 18th.
We will also have another silent auction, install our board for 2024-25, provide a report for District Two's 68th Conference, and we will have cake!
We've had a wonderful Altrusa year providing service to our community. I am so proud of you. Thank you for allowing me to be your fearless leader.
In Altrusa Love
Sherral
Board Actions - May 2024
None
Accent
Greetings Altrusans!
I hope this message finds you all doing very well. Spring is here and in full bloom! Today is a beautiful day and I am thankful for the blue sky, sunshine, and the beginning of the weekend!
May is a very busy month; we celebrate Mother’s Day on May 12th and Memorial Day on May 27th. In addition, Altrusa recognizes May 15th as the International Day of Families. We must always keep our hearts and minds focused on the needs of our families, both locally and around the world. We are a sisterhood of connected souls; giving our very best to those who need us, both privately and publicly. “The 2024 International Day of Families aims to raise awareness of how climate change impacts families and the role families can play in climate action. Through family and community initiatives, we can foster climate action with education, access to information, training and community participation”. Please see the link below for more information and the theme for 2024-Families & Climate Change: https://www.un.org/en/observances/international-day-of-families
Please enjoy the month of May with your families and friends and I look forward to seeing you all again very soon.
All the Best,
Tracey
PS-We had the pleasure of spending our Spring Break with my family in San Diego. We took my grandson, Elijah, to Disneyland for the first time! It was an amazing trip and we made so many wonderful memories. I am counting the days until school is out and I will be heading back West in July. Please see all of us below! My other grandson, Liam, is right here in Virginia Beach! He is growing fast too!
Happy Mother’s Day ( and all the Grandma’s too)!
Show Your Service in 2024!
Were you part of Valentines for Vets last month? Reading for GRES kids? Have you entered your Service Hours, yet? You can do it right now!!
⬅️ Just click the "Service Hours" image to the left of this paragraph and answer a couple of quick questions.
Storytime
All eyes and ears were with Joanne on May 10th as she shared a story with kindergarteners at Green Run Elementary School! Altrusans, if you'd like to join in on the fun, contact Joanne to volunteer!
REACH Out!!
Another great way to be involved with books and reading for/with kids is to volunteer with REACH, an active organization dedicated to and involved with reading with children.
See the information on this flyer.
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Scholarships: Chair, Kathy D.
Committee Actions Update
The Scholarship Committee met on April 2nd and April 18th at Chris Stevens’ home. The cover letter and application was updated, and committee members were assigned various responsibilities. Applications will be sent to Robyn via email by the deadline of May 30th. Shari posted the documents on our club’s webpage. The committee is scheduled to meet again on May 31st to select recipients.
Communications: Chair, Shari
🌟 🌟🌟 June 2024 🌟🌟🌟
Send it to: altrusatidewaterNL@gmail.com.
Please save PICTURE files as .jpg or PDF.
Thank you!
Reminder! Club 21 dues must to be paid online. Use this link to update your personal Club 21 dues to support International Foundation.
Want to order items from Amazon for Hope Village and other service projects? Check out this wish list created by Joanne (with a little help from her sister, Karen)!
Our thanks to Cathy M. for jumping in to create our poster! We are proud to show let the District know about our involvement with the women at the H.E.R. Shelter!
Marcy presents the Dr. Nina Fay Calhoun International Relations award.
Accepting Our Awards...
Left: photo: Shari and the International Representative Ileana Pacheo-Morales, International Director present Barb S. with the second place Mamie L. Bass Community Service Award.
Right photo: Gov. Linda Dorr and the International Representative Ileana Pacheo-Morales, International Director, presenting Sherral with the Presidental Excellence award.
More Awards!
Left: photo: Sherral and other club presidents with their Presidental Excellence award.
Right photo: Joanne accepting the award for the Conference Exhibit.
To celebrate Governor Linda's theme - Bee the Change You Want To See, Friday evening participants were asked to dress in their yellow and black to bee busy as bees!!
Conference Exhibits
TidBits - Sharing our stories
Our Altrusa Tidewater Birthday Party Photos!
What a great lunch! On April 13th, we celebrated Altrusa's 107th Anniversary, Altrusa Tidewater's 57th Anniversary, membership anniversaries for Marcy, Judy, Betty, and Martha. To top it off, we sang "Happy Birthday" to Martha and Kathy D! Some great stories and connections from through the years were shared.
Barbara and Don had the pleasure of seeing their grandson, Darden Smith, walk across the stage at the University of South Carolina. He received his Hood for the Masters in International Business. Celebrating in Columbus, South Carolina were his parents, Ann & Bill Smith, sisters, and more grandparents. Darden plans to work on another MIB in Paris, France, in August.
In early May, Lisa C. and her good friend, Dakota, hopped on an Amtrak Train in Norfolk and headed to New York City for some fun. They rode a pedicab through central park, toured the 9/11 Memorial area, saw a Broadway play, and more. Lisa, of course , had to stop at Mood Fabrics while they were in town. They were guided by angels dressed as strangers as they wound their way through the city.
District Two Board and Committee Chairs
This document lists the board and committee chairs.
District Two Conference Reports
District Two Members!
District Two Members: Your Attention is Requested. Please Review the Following Reports. In the interest of time, we are distributing the Board of Directors and Committee Chairs Annual Report in advance of the District Two Conference. The 2023 Conference Proceedings will be approved at the First Business Session.
Click here for the 2023-2024 Board of Directors Annual Reports
Click here for the 2023-2024 Committee Chairs Annual Reports
DSB Winter 2024
Governor's Message
May 2024
District Two Service Newsletter:
Click here to view the March 2024 District Two Service Newsletter.
President Linda is continuing Immediate Past President Kathy book challenge and we want you to be a part of it. President Linda firmly believe that literacy is the number one focus for Altrusa and we want to continue to enhance that commitment. Our ultimate goal is to enhance the lives of others ONE BOOK AT A TIME! The challenge is for Altrusans to distribute one million books and/or devote 500,000 literacy service hours to our communities during the 2023-2025 biennium. So how can you participate?
Develop a signature literacy project (or expand on an existing one) that will continue to grow and develop into the future. Large and small clubs alike can participate in this challenge.
2. Assign a record keeper to keep track of the number of books you distribute AND/OR the number of service hours you spend (for example reading to children, the elderly, participating in a book exchange … something that works for you, your club and your community).
3. Carry the project over through the next club year.
4. Send your numbers (for both years) to the International Service Committee before
June 1, 2025. The easiest way to record this is to record each time you club donates books so you don’t forget any!
5. Sit back and relish in the fact that you are making a difference …. ONE BOOK AT A TIME.
Remember the end goal is to enhance the lives of others. And the simple gift of a book to a child who has never had one can help eradicate illiteracy and give these children a chance to succeed in life. Will you accept the challenge and join our movement? We all know that Altrusans R.O.C.K. and what better want to REALIZE OPPORTUNITY, CREATE KINDNESS than to create intentional acts of kindess by donating books. As Altrusans we can make a difference! We can change lives – sometimes the book you donate is the only one a child can call their own! Let’s help others develop a passion for reading that will last a lifetime!
International Service Newsletter / Altrusa Logo Guidelines
Click here to view the Volume 14 - May 2024 edition of the Altrusa International Foundation, Inc The Impact.
Altrusa International 68th District Two Conference Reports
Altrusa International 68th Annual District Two Conference
Opening General Session: Friday, April 26, 9-12:05
Reported by June
Linda Dorr called the meeting to order. After the Invocation, the presentation of the flags for each of the Clubs, the Pledge of Allegiance was said by all members. Welcoming greetings followed by local, district and international officials. Linda highlighted her theme Bee the Change You Want to See in the World The preliminary registration report indicated there were 66 members registered and in attendance. Voting Delegates sat at clearly designated tables. Additional reports were given. The nominating committee presented a slate of District officers. Linda Dorr then opened the floor for additional nominations for each office. No additional nominations were made so the committee’s nominations were approved by acclamation. The Voting Delegates approved the recommended increase of the District’s membership dues from $20 to $30 for the 24-25 budget. A copy of the proposed budget was presented. The delegates will vote on the budget during the second session. Announcements were made. The First Session was adjourned followed by a catered NY Deli buffet.
Second Session: Saturday, April 27, 10:05-11:15
A final registration report indicated 73 members registered and in attendance. Voting Delegates again sat at clearly designated tables.
Linda Dorr emphasized the need for additional revenue to fund the budget. Cotingency funds were used to fund this budget. Linda indicated budget cuts were made where possible. This budget reflects those cuts. The proposed budget was presented reflecting the District dues increase to $30. Linda Dorr then opened the floor for budget discussion. Discussion about the $1,500 “seed” money given to the Club hosting the convention followed and in addition the $20 fee paid by each Club for the convention. A motion was made to change the amount each Club pays towards the convention to a sliding scale: $20 for Clubs with 1 to10 members, $25 for Clubs with 11 to 20 members and $100 for Clubs with 21 or more members. The $1500 seed money was not included in the motion. Discussion followed. One member remarked that the individual clubs should have some input concerning this proposed change. A Board member expressed possible bookkeeping concerns with International. Several members suggested that the Board look at this idea more closely before bringing it to a Conference vote. The Vote was taken on the motion for a sliding scale as stated above. The motion failed. The Board will consider this idea in the coming year. The second session was adjourned. An abbreviated service project followed. Lunch was on your own.
Leadership Workshop for Presidents and Vice Presidents
Reported by Barbara S.
Facilitators:
Silvia Silverman - Life Member of the Montgomery Club, Past Governor of District Two, Past International President Phyllis Corman - Life Member of the Centre County, PA Club, Past Governor of District Two, Past International President, Altrusa Foundation Board of Trustees Silvia and Phylis led a lively discussion about the many aspects of serving as the president and vice president of Altrusa clubs. They started with the comment that since members look up to the president and vice president as a leaders, it is most important to know the rules of Altrusa International and the club. Equally important is communicating with and keeping in touch with members, as well as making time for club members to have fun and socialize.
Major points discussed with the group:
1. How do clubs dealt with conflict?
Solutions offered by the group
● meet privately with the parties in conflict to come to an understanding.
● Praise in public and solve problems in private.
2. What is the hardest thing about being president”
A. Getting members to step up, hard for members to commit
Solutions offered by the group
● Remind all that success is a group effort
● Have deadlines and check in for progress
● Use a Buddy System and/or phone tree
B. Learning to delegate
Solutions offered by the group:
● Learn strengths of members
● Ask members “what are you comfortable doing?”
● Pay attention to members interacting in a group
● Be aware of any bullies
3. What is the most important thing to do as a president or vice president?
Responses by the group:
● Being transparent
● Being flexible
● Knowing strengths of members
● Listening to members
● Communicating with members, act like you care
● Making each member feel important
Guest Speaker Notes
Reported by Robyn
The guest speaker at the District Two conference was S. Orlene Grant, President and CEO of The Juanita C. Grant Foundation. Named for her mother, a tireless civil rights worker who not only helped to desegregate Gary, Indiana, but was always doing something to help the community.
The speaker, following in her mother’s footsteps, has developed several programs to help the people of Prince George’s County, MD.
1. Collaborating with 11 other organizations, they have organized a workforce program for older adults which is now nationwide.
2. She was instrumental in organizing a seminar and outreach for older adults with a 16 hour training program for volunteers, to include active listening, and assessing the client’s state each day. They found that this program led to the older adults becoming more social and engaged.
3. Another program trained elders who had been abused or neglected, how to prevent further abuse by providing tools for them to use. They collaborated with the DOJ, a law firm and a major bank to talk about avoiding financial fraud.
4. Another project is scheduled for this month that will be a day-long summit for older adults. Presenters will include national, state and local officials.
Throughout her speech, she focused on the need to collaborate with many organizations to have successful programs.
Friday Night Town Hall
Reported by Susan C.
The Friday night Town Hall was presented by our own Shari Gomez. Shari presented ideas for a 3-5 year strategic planning. Committees should meet prior to your club retreat/planning meeting and bring forth how and what you will do for the upcoming year. South Central gets their committees together and proposes projects, they then vote on those projects and the committee works with everyone to complete. Some of the clubs meet in March and talk about how successful the year’s fundraisers were and whether they should go forth and plan for the same fundraiser for the next year. Shari talked about how Tidewater does the Bazaar each year. Each year the committee meets to “reflect” and update/upgrade and change with the times. The clubs spoke about successful activities and listening to new members’ ideas. Shari encouraged everyone to read your District Service Newsletter and see what others are doing. We need to improve and build our relationship through service. Through our projects/pictures we will show what everyone has been doing. This will bring everyone together and “Bee the Change.” Lastly, Shari spoke about District Two Service Project 2024-25 “Kindness Initiative for Disabled Veterans”. Club service chairs will work on this project and send pictures and information to Shari. This will be a yearlong project.
Altrusa Club Anniversaries
Club Years
Capital City, VA 31
Centre County, PA 73
Charlottesville, VA 75
Fauquier County, VA 42
Martinsville/Henry County 83
McKeesport. PA 83
Montgomery County, MD 46
New York, NY 97
Prince George’s County, MD 1
Reading-Berks, PA 81
Richmond, VA 99
Rochester, NY 73
South Central, PA 69
Tidewater, VA 58
Washington, DC 87
Membership Workshop
Reported by Joanne
At the 68th District Two Conference, I had the privilege of presenting the membeship workshop. Key points were how to increase club membership while retaining and engaging current members. I look forward to sharing my talk at a regular Altrusa Tidewater meeting in the near future.
Foundation Breakfast
Reported by Sherral
The Altrusa International Foundation's mission is to empower you, Altrusans, in serving local and global communities
through effective community service programs. Through your support of Foundation programs, we are all able to,
Lead to a Better Community.
Thank you for your continued support of Altrusa International Foundation, Inc.
Awards and scholarships
$14, 305
Through the Endowment Fund, the International Foundation awarded ASTRA scholarships to deserving students and the
following awards: Anna H. Settle Community Leadership Award, Letha H. Brown Community Leadership Award,
Letha H. Brown Literacy Award, Dr. Nina Fay Calhoun International Relations Award, and Mamie L. Bass Service Award.
Grants Program
$295,430 Awarded
The Grants Program supports Altrusa Clubs carry out independent community service projects.
Disaster Relief Aid
$32, 500 Awarded
In 2022-2023, The Foundation contributed disaster relief aid to support relief aids in the United States and New Zealand.
Club 21 Program
The Club 21 program supports children's camps for children with disabilities and illness and international healthcare and education efforts
$35,240 Awarded
We completed cycle one April 30th.
That information will be available soon.
There were no submissions from District Two.