Chapter 74 Members,
“A true community is not just about being geographically close to some-one or part of the same social web network. It’s about feeling connected and responsible for what happens. Humanity is our ultimate community, and everyone plays a crucial role.” -Yehuda Berg

It’s a new year and since we have all seen such a year as 2020 together albeit, separately; let us hope things will be a little more optimistic in the future and we can once again gather together without risking the health and well-being of others at some point in the near future. One thing I can say, is that this has certainly made me more aware and very grateful for my community in every sense of the word. As I stated before in a previous newsletter, I will state again, I am so very thankful for the essential workers who choose to go to work every day. The doctors, nurses, teachers, janitors, grocery store staff, restaurant staff, delivery services, construction workers who work tirelessly to keep us healthy, safe and families fed; these are my heroes! I am so thankful and appreciative for the sacrifices and the services that they perform each day to meet the needs of my community.

I am also very grateful for our IRWA community, both personally and professionally, I long for the days of our luncheons, socials, and conferences and hoping the new year will afford us more opportunities to see each other, but until then, we remain socially distanced, together. We are working to create ways to stay connected into the foreseeable future since there are so many unknowns. If you have any suggestions on ways to keep us connected or ways we can share ideas and network, please reach out to any of our board members listed in our newsletter or on the IRWA website.

Congratulations to Alexis Vanzura and her husband James Vanzura who welcomed a son, Timothy Bruce Vanzura the morning of October 19, 2020. I am so excited for their beginning a new chapter and pray it is filled with joy and blessings. I am so glad she has returned to us and is working on offering up-coming classes in a venue that is suitable. Please reach out if you have any questions or suggestions for upcoming courses, we appreciate your flexibility during this time of both business for her and her new family as well as the unknown challenges with the pandemic.

There will be no luncheon for January so our next luncheon will be February 9th, be on the lookout for details! The Membership Drive continues and we are always on the lookout to grow our community! Please have those who might be interested reach out to our Membership Chair, Leslie Persia for additional information.

Lisa Cooper, our Communications Chair and Ray Rials, our Web Master are accepting donations for sponsorships! If you’re interested in sponsoring our Chapter and having your logo placed in the newsletter, please reach out to Ray!
Wishing you many blessings this new year!

Sincerely,

Tara O’Neal
2020-2021 Chapter 74 President