Altrusa International of Tidewater, Inc.

Tidewater Altrusan
💌💙💌February 2026 Newsletter💌💙💌

February Meeting Location:

Jo-Kell, Inc.

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

Our weather here in Tidewater, as we know, is ever-changing! One day it's mild and beautiful, the next is frigid and cloudy. We've gotta love it! 🙃 Our January meeting on Saturday 24th was well attended and so much fun! We had a good time socializing and, more importantly, creating cards for A Soldier's Hands and Jones and Cabacoy residents. Thank you to all who prepared and created for this activity!

On Saturday, February 21st we have our rescheduled Holiday Social at West Neck Village from 2-4 pm. Joanne will be coordinating the dishes, so please let her know at Monday's meeting if you're coming, how many guests you'll have, and what you'll be bringing. I hope everyone has a great time. I won't be there - Phillip and I are getting our taxes done 🥱.

We have a Service Committee meeting coming up on Thursday, February 19th at 6:30 via Zoom. We will be planning our next activities - a book drive, supporting the Union Mission, as well as discussing other activities we have suggested.

As always, please continue to support our activities that lead to a better community. Our efforts are always beneficial and meaningful to others! Thank you for all your support and friendship!

Sincerely,

Shari

Board Actions - February 2026

The Treasurer will send a donation $100.00 to Foundry Methodist Church Board thanking them for using their building for our Bazaar. We will also ask Foundry board if we can hold our Bazaar the first Saturday of December 2026.
The Treasurer will also send reimbursement checks to Marcy for the Tree of Life donation to Lake Taylor Rehabilitation Hospital in honor of Martha, and also send a reimbursement check to Joanne for GRES Christmas gifts.
The Board requests that Membership Chair, June, send an invitation for membership to Jennifer’s friends: Vickie Fisher and Shannon Fisher.

January Accent

Greetings Altrusans,

I hope this message finds you all doing well, keeping warm, and embracing all your New Year resolutions. A few of mine are to eat a healthier diet, read more, and spend more time being in the present and less time worrying about the future! I would love to hear what you have put on your list! Please share anytime. A great book to start out the year is Atomic Habits by James Clear. He has such great ideas that I am planning on putting into action!

Altrusa International recognizes many special days throughout the year. February 20 marks World Day of Social Justice, a day to celebrate fairness, inclusion, and the power of communities coming together. This year’s theme, “Empowering Inclusion: Bridging Gaps for Social Justice,” reminds us how important it is to lift each other up and make sure everyone has a chance to thrive.

At Altrusa International of Tidewater, this day is especially meaningful. Through our service projects, friendship, and support for one another, we make social justice real in our own community. Every act of kindness, every helping hand, every welcoming smile strengthens the bonds that make our neighborhoods stronger and more caring.

Let’s use this day as a reminder to serve, connect, and support — because change starts when we work together. Real growth begins with just a small sprout!

Wishing you all a wonderful month of February and I will be back in March for another Accent!

All the Best,

Tracey

Committee Reports

Have you entered YOUR 2025/26 hours, yet? Go ahead, before you forget them.

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 Shari.

GRES Reader Schedule for February 2026

February 20th - Sherral,

March 6 - Lisa C.

March 20 - Mariann

Readers: After your visit, please remember to send a photo of your chosen book's cover to our Altrusa Newsletter so we can post it here.

Nominations Committee: Kathy, June, Colleen

Nominations Committee Invitation

The nominating committee, consisting of Kathy, June and Colleen, is preparing to recommend a slate of officers for the upcoming year. Are you interested??? If there is a position that interests you, please let one of the committee members know right away. In addition, if you already hold a position on the board and would like to keep that position, let one of the committee members know that as well.

Please do not feel intimidated by the responsibilities of an office as you would have plenty of support. For example, if Shari is no longer the president, she will continue to share her technology skills when any equipment must be set up.

We can't operate without the support of our members. If you feel you are unable to serve as board member, there are many other ways to support our club for the good of the whole. Each member is important and can provide her own type of individual service. Thanks to every member for all you do to contribute. That's what makes Altrusa of Tidewater such a great club! Take care.

The Nominating Committee,

Kathy, June and Colleen

International Convention

Report on International Convention in Quebec City, Canada, July 2025
by Sherral, our Altrusa International Foundation Trustee

I attended several workshops, Thursday, through Saturday.

1. Candidates Forum/Election.

2. International Foundation Donor reception.

3. The Legacy of Leadership-Join the Conversation

4. Foundation Board of Trustees Meeting

We enjoyed "Rocking the Tartan" on Friday night! This was a salute to Canada.
There were poutine stations for eating enjoyment along with a variety of entertainment including: Meet the Kings Daughters, a group of entertainers who sing and tell about the time of the "Filles du Roy", a group of women who are so rarely mentioned in history. We also enjoyed the sounds of Trio Francois Couture, a trio of traditional folk musicians playing violin, accordion, and guitar.

Attendees donated children's books, written in French, to the Canadian club.

Club 52 was formally introduced, replacing Club 21.

The highlight of the convention was the installation of our new International President, Christine DeVlieger and her Board.

Quebec City was a beautiful and exciting city, and a good time was had by all!

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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 ANYTHING that might/will be posted online.

Check out the info about Club 52!

Read the October Governor's Message for more information - and how to join as a charter member!

To view Tidewater's 24-26 Strategic Plan, click here.

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)!

Joanne's Altrusa List

Program/Business Minutes: January 2026

Jan. 24, 2026 Business/Program Agenda & Minutes

Treasurer's Report - January 2026

Altrusa Tidewater February 2026 Treasurer's Report.pdf

TidBits

Barbara S. in Austin

Barbara S. has been in Austin being the caregiver for her Daughter-in-law Denise while she recovers from rotator cuff surgery. Instead of a quiet time, it has been a time a celebration. First a New Year’s Day Brunch, then Denise’s birthday week, starting with a Ladies, Laughs and Lunch, planning a surprise party with her close friends, her planned party, including a Mariachi Band, then a quiet dinner party with 10 friends.

Sunsets in Austin are gorgeous. Barbara has also had quality time with her son Jim watching football games and being caregivers for Denise and the cat.