Tidewater Altrusan Newsletter
🏀 ☘️ 🌎 🌸 April 2025 🌸 🌎 ☘️ 🏀 ☘️
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"April $howers bring Due$ Renewal Time!"
Plea$e bring a check covering your due$ payment to thi$
April meeting. Yearly due$ for current member$ = $100.00 .
Not attending the meeting?
Mail your check to Susan.
See info in the Membership section below.
Our meeting location:
Jo-Kell
620 Innovation Drive
Chesapeake, VA. 23220
Our meeting Zoom information can be found here or in the menu on the left.
Click here to join our Zoom meetings. Remember, if a password is needed, it starts with a capital A.
President's Message
Fellow Altrusans,
Happy Spring! It’s when the temperatures are warmer and flowers bloom. I think I hear a collective sigh of relief. As the spring season takes full swing, I view it as a time to become energized, and we have plenty to do in making our community a better place.
April is going to be a busy and important month. We hope to get together to celebrate our club’s 59th birthday and Altrusa International’s 108th birthday.
Additionally, Cindy Jennings, a district board member, will join us via Zoom during our April meeting.
We plan to initiate two new members at that meeting. We are excited that Mariann and Susan have decided to join our club.
Dr. Jeanne Natalie, Director of the Student Empowerment and Resource Center at TCC, spoke at our meeting last month about the services the center provides to students who face obstacles, often financial, that hinder their ability to continue their education. We presented Dr. Natali with a $400 check for the center. In addition, members decided to donate personal items for students at our April meeting.
The Scholarship Committee is busy at work preparing to award seven $500 scholarships. The deadline for submission is May 16th .
We’re looking forward to our District Two 69th Conference in May. Thus far, eight members have confirmed their attendance. Join us if you can.
Hope to see everyone at our April meeting.
Warm Regards,
Kathy
Board Actions - March 2025
GRES Snacks
The Board requests that members bring to the April 21 meeting donations of wrapped snacks for GRES Teacher Appreciation Day to be held May 6. The club will purchase fresh apples, bananas, and berries. Set-up at the school will be Monday, May 5 after 3 pm.
If you'd like your purchase to be sent to directly to Joanne, use this link to purchase individual snack sized options form Amazon. Click here to view the wish list.
Items for TCC Resource Center
This is a change: Members are requested to bring to the MAY 19th meeting items for the TCC Student Empowerment and Resource Center Supply Bank. Items needed include: non-perishable foods; hygiene products; baby wipes, lotions, other baby needs, but not diapers. TCC students take classes year around. There is always a need.
Another Reminder: Dues are DUE!!
**A reminder to bring your checkbook. Dues ($100.00 annually) can be paid at the April or May meeting. Susan will make one submission the club deadline, May 19. She will also update Group Tally on the International website.
Accent
Greeting Altrusans!
I hope Spring finds you all doing very well! This past weekend I was blessed to be able to babysit my grandson and enjoy the beautiful, Spring weather. We walked to the park, raked some leaves, and cleaned out our garden box; we are excited to plant our herbs and tomatoes to enjoy this summer! Planting fruits and vegetables is a great way to encourage a healthy diet of whole foods and fresh alternatives for better living. Sometimes I do “miss the mark”, but it is a good idea to eat five servings of fruits and vegetables everyday! And “yes”, strawberry ice cream counts as a fruit!
April 7th is recognized as World Health Day. This year shares a focus “off a year-long campaign on maternal and newborn health. The campaign, titled Healthy beginnings, hopeful futures, will urge governments and the health community to ramp up efforts to end preventable maternal and newborn deaths, and to prioritize women’s longer-term health and well-being”. We recognize how community, kindness, and empathy contribute to overall well-being. In our fast-paced world, these values can profoundly impact our health and those around us. As Altrusans, we make strong connections with our family, friends, and community. Engaging in local groups, friendships, and volunteering fosters resilience and the improvement of both our mental and physical health.
World Health Day reminds us that health is holistic. Let's celebrate by committing to kindness, building connections, and practicing empathy. By embracing these values, we create a world where everyone thrives.
Please click here for more information.
Please have a wonderful month of April and until next time, please take care!
All the Best,
Tracey
Committee Reports
Committee Reports
Service Committee: Joanne and Shari, Co-Chairs
Service Committee: Joanne and Shari, Co-Chairs
All Service hours must be on file soon. The deadline is May 30th. Please look through your '23-'24 notes, calendars, etc., make a list, and post them. Thank you!
Here's how to add your hours:
⏫ Click the "Service Hours" image above this paragraph and answer a couple of quick questions.
If you'd like to check that you've already submitted hours, click here. When you add your hours, you can add info as a reminder for yourself. If you have any other questions about this, contact Joanne or Shari.
Please bring GRES Snacks to April Meeting!!
As our service activity for this month we will be supporting Teacher Appreciation at Green Run Elementary School (GRES). Please bring individual snack packs for these great teachers to our April meeting. The club will purchase fruit and water bottles. Suggested items include nuts, granola bars, candy - all in individual packages so teachers can grab and go.
Click here to view the Amazon wish list to make your shopping easier! Your purchase will be shipped directly to Joanne's home.
Little Free Libraries in both Virginia and North Carolina and REACH (Reading Enriches All Children) are benefiting from our February meeting book collection.
Some books we collected have already been distributed!
After her Yoga class, Barbara S. added children’s books to the Little Free Library at the YMCA of Portsmouth.
Ellen delivered books to a Little Free Library in Virginia Beach.
Chris S. and Robyn F. donated children's books to a Free Little Library in Scarborough Faire in Duck, NC
Lisa C. brought books to REACH, in Norfolk.
Environmental Committee: June, Chair
Environmental Committee: June, Chair
Sensory Garden Grant Status
The grant for the funds necessary to establish the Sensory Garden at the Jones and Cabacoy Veterans Center was submitted to Altrusa International by the April 1st deadline.
Plant choice and design ideas were included to provide interactive opportunities for residents. A fall planting is planned for late September.
Membership Committee: Marcy and June, Co-Chairs
Membership Committee: Marcy and June, Co-Chairs
April 2025 New Members Initiation
During this meeting, we will be initiating two AMAZING women who have stepped up to join Altrusa of Tidewater, Mariann and Susan.! We're all very excited about having them become Altrusa Sisters! Be sure to come to this meeting and make them feel welcome. Bring your best Altrusa story and tell them about it!!
"April $howers bring Due$ Renewal Time!"
Dues are Due to Susan C. no later than May 19th.
How much? Dues for current members are $100.00.
New members pay $120.00 the first year.
How can you pay?
Bring a check to the April 21 or the May 19 meeting. Give it to Susan C.
Mail (or bring) a check to Susan C. that will arrive by May 19th.
Need other help? Contact Susan C. Her contact info is in the Yearbook file.
If you'd prefer to pay by credit card, for a small fee, contact Susan PRIOR to May 19th. She will create an invoice that will be emailed to you to pay with credit card.
Scholarship Committee: Cathy M., Chair
Scholarship Committee: Cathy M., Chair
Scholarship Form is LIVE on Our Website
The Scholarship Committee met on March 19 at Chris Steven's house. The Altrusa 2025 Scholarship form is now "live" on the Altrusa of Tidewater website. The deadline for submission is May 16, 2025. Recipients will be selected by May 28. We plan to invite the award winners to our Altrusa meeting on June 16.
Scholarship forms and the required essay may be mailed to: altrusa2025scholarship@gmail.com
Nominating Committee: Joanne B. and Colleen
Nominating Committee: Joanne B. and Colleen
Our thanks to the Nominating Committee for their time and presentation of the slate of officers and Directors for the 2025-2026 Board at the March meeting.
Congratulations to our 2025 - 2026 Board Members:
President - Shari
1st Vice President - Barbara S
2nd Vice President - Joanne
Recording Secretary - Barbara S
Corresponding Secretary - Colleen
Treasurer - Susan
Directors - Barbara D, Jennifer, and Ellen
Communications: Chair, Shari
Want to ALWAYS know
what's coming up?
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Thank you!
Remember: For the privacy and security of all members, last names should not be included on any names that will be posted online.
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)!
Program/Business Minutes: March 2025
Program/Business Minutes: March 2025
Business Meeting March 17, 2025.pdfTreasurer's Report - April 2025
Treasurer's Report - April 2025
District Two News
District Two News
District Two Board and Committee Chairs
This document lists the board and committee chairs.
DSB Winter 2025
DSB Winter 2025 District Two Call to Conference_v1-31registration.pdfGovernor's Message
April 2025
Governor's Message April 2024.pdfDistrict Two Members:
Please take a moment to review the 2024 Conference Proceedings. We will be voting to approve this document during the first business session of the Conference.
Thank you in advance for reviewing this material. Looking forward to seeing everyone in a couple of weeks in Altoona, PA!
Governor Linda
Dear District Two Members,
As we prepare for the upcoming District Two Conference, we invite you to review the Annual Reports from our Board of Directors and Committee Chairs.
These reports highlight the incredible work accomplished over the past year of the 2023-2025 Biennium.
We look forward to seeing you in just a few weeks!
Governor Linda
District Two Service Newsletter:
Click here to view the March 2025 District Two Service Newsletter.
International News
International News
International is interested in gauging member interest in attending the next Convention in Quebec. Click here to complete the survey.
Convention Reminder!
Altrusans!
For our 2025 Altrusa International Convention in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada, many of our attendees will need a passport to attend.
United States members can now renew their passport online through the U.S. Department of State website. To renew online, you will need a digital passport photo, which Walgreens offers for free with the purchase of a physical passport photo.
It is highly recommended to apply for a new passport/renew your current passport ASAP to ensure it will arrive before Convention. Follow the links below to renew your passport online and/or learn more about Walgreens passport photos.
US Department of State Passport Renewal Walgreens Passport Photos
Altrusa International Service Committee Newsletter - scroll to view all five pages!
English_International Service Committee Newsletter_Winter 2025.pdfAltrusa International Literacy Challenge One Book at a Time, Part II
Altrusa International Literacy Challenge One Book at a Time, Part II
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!
Click the image to view the January 2025 issue of The Altrusa Compass.
District Two is showcased in this issue! Take a look!! 👀
Foundation News
Foundation News
Click here to view the March 2025 edition, Volume 17, of the Altrusa International Foundation, Inc - The Impact.
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