February 2014

Lucretia Piercy

 

"Inspire and be inspired in ABWA."

Hi everyone. Over the next few newsletters I'm going to talk about changes. Small changes that can have significant impact. Small changes are usually easier don't you think? I'll cover 3 areas - relationships first, then work, and finally health.

I have some great relationship DVDs that talk about making small, daily deposits in your partner or family member's emotional "bank account," which is a great example of a small change that makes a huge difference! My husband watched them with me and he wisely noted that a bucket of water, doled out to a plant over a month's time, a half a cup at a time, is way more effective than a whole bucket of water poured on the plant once a month. Same amount of water, hugely different result!

An extravagant birthday experience or holiday gift, but no loving gestures in between, might be an example of a bucket of water approach. A rose given once a month or so for no reason other than, I'm thinking of you, (vs. once a year on Valentine's Day) could be an example of the cups of water approach.

In relationships, other examples of small changes could be paying your partner a compliment, scheduling a date night, holding hands, sitting next to them on the couch while watching TV, texting or calling during the day, leaving a sweet new note of good morning or a loving expression on their car steering wheel or computer screen.

Next month I'll give you some examples of small changes you can make with work.

Have a good month all!

Andrea

The P.S. on the initial letter is what caught me. See below.

PROGRAM: VETCARD CAMPAIGN

FOUNDED: NOVEMBER 2013, BUNCOMBE COUNTY

FOUNDER: JOE ELLIOTT

Many of our oldest veterans are now in care facilities or homebound, therefore many have very limited contact with outside world. Many suffer with chronic disability, illness, some are lonely or depressed. 

 The cards are a small but powerful way of letting these men and women know they are remembered and appreciated for the services they rendered our nation. 

• Major Objective: To see that as many older veterans (with focus on WW2 & Korean era) in North Carolina receive a card of appreciation and support.

• How To: Participants can either make their own cards or use store purchased ones. The most important thing is that they take the time to let a vet know he/she is remembered and appreciated

• Fees: None

"P.S. I'm looking for an individual or group willing to provide cards of encouragement to ten (former) female veterans, now living in a community house in Asheville. I am told that women veterans typically receive less attention than their male counterparts, thus as added urgency here."

I contacted Mr. Elliott immediately and said that I would definitely be writing cards for all the veterans and I would ask the organizations that I am a member of to participate also.

Isn't ABWA about women helping women?

My request to the SKY HY CHAPTER is to bring a card for a veteran each month to the meeting and I will make sure they are delivered to the VETCARD Campaign.

Thank you for volunteering with me.

Lucretia Piercy called the meeting to order at 6:10 p.m., at the Crowne Plaza Hotel and we recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

Savannah, our scholarship recipient was present this evening to receive a check for $750.00. $250.00 of this was a refund from her previous school, as she has now moved to UNC Asheville!

Lucretia told us that one of our members, Sandy Worley, with United Community Bank presented the chapter with a donation from United Community Bank for $500 to our Education fund!! Thank you United Community Bank and Sandy!!

Introductions were made.

Lucretia asked for a motion to accept the Treasurer's report as sent in email. Randye U. made the motion and it was seconded by Yvonne. The motion passed. There was no secretary's report for December due to our Christmas party.

The deadline for our commitment to contribute to SBMEF is January 31^st. Potential recipients of a scholarship or grant through National for the SBMEF submit application through our Chapter and if chosen, the funds are awarded in May for July distribution. Applicants can apply 4 years in a row through National. It was decided that the $500 from United Community Bank will go to SBMEF.

It's that time of year for the Top 10 and the Chapter Woman of the Year. Lucretia will provide information in February. The Woman of the Year will be crowned in March. She asked for volunteers for a nominating committee for the Top 10 and WOY. Michelle, our current Woman of the Year will serve on the committee and Jacqui and Jennifer volunteered to do so as well.

Lucretia made an EXCITING announcement... She has been encouraged by National to run for District IV Vice President!! Though she says she never even considered undertaking such a step, she has decided to take the journey and informed the Chapter that she would need our Chapter's support both mentally, and financially! This is a big undertaking and the consensus from the Chapter was unanimous - YES, DO IT!!!

Our National President, Lorie Burch, Skyped into our meeting to congratulate Lucretia and our Chapter for supporting her in this run. She answered questions about what type of commitments would be needed and various things that Lucretia will have to do in order to participate in elections for this Office. Lorie was very encouraging and was able to really get us all excited about the possibilities! It is a BIG deal and we will need to have fundraisers specifically for Lucretia, so that she can meet the requirement of attending both the District and National conferences this year. In addition, there will be various materials that will need to be printed for her campaign, as well as travel to various Chapters in our District. All the members will have to be involved to make it successful. Lorie closed with letting us know to get in touch with her should we have any questions.

Savannah Henderson, our scholarship recipient, was able to meet Lorie via our "Skype" connection. She expressed her appreciation to Lorie for ABWA's assistance with her education.

Lucretia called for a vote to accept her run for the District IV Vice Presidential run. The vote was unanimous for those in attendance: Those attendees were:

Jacqui Friedrich

Lacy Hagan

Karen King-Smith

Michelle Marshall

Kimberly McAfoos

Julia Nease

Dora Nelson

Carla Parvin

Deborah Pettersson

Toni Poppy

Jennifer Smith

Sue Stewart

Randye Unsell

Those who were not present, make their vote via email to the Vice President, Kimberly McAfoos. Those who have voted YES, as of January 24, 2014 are as follows:

Patty Couch

Mary Nesbitt

Priscilla Lloyd

Yvonne Cano

Linda Ray

Joy Stern

Sandy Worley

In the newsletter, there is information and dates for the District Conference to be held in Roanoke, Virginia. The cost is $285. Everyone is encouraged to attend. Lucretia will be required to make a 3 minute speech at the conference for her bid for District IV VP.

Our program speaker this evening was Lucretia Piercy, who gave us a "WIN 101" tutorial online of our National WIN website. She took us through the log-in stages and the various sections, showing "conversations" with other members, our "Team Board" and the "National Board". You can also find all the information and transcripts about the various courses you have taken. It was a very informative tutorial.

A gift of $500 was donated to begin Lucretia's campaign. We will open a separate checking account for all funds collected for her campaign expenses, thus insuring that funds and disbursements for this will be kept separate for the chapter's disbursement and scholarship accounts.

Kimberly McAfoos took the minutes for this meeting in place of Priscilla who was not present.

Kimberly left the meeting at 7:41pm. Door prizes were disbursed. The meeting adjourned at 8:00 pm.