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WHO ARE THESE MASKED WOMEN? Just some members of the Board of Directors at the May meeting, donning masks to remind everyone to wear them at the Thrift Shop and stay healthy!
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Assistance League of Hawa
ii - June 2020
Transforming Lives - Strengthening Community
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Gerri Migita
President 2019 - 2020
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Congratulations and Mahalo's
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As President of Assistance League of Hawaii, I have good reason to express my heartfelt thanks to the officers, members and friends of the Chapter. We have accomplished much together. I am proud of all our members who stepped up to the challenges brought before us. It takes a collective effort to make an organization like ours viable. I think special thanks also go out to the members that have served on the Board of Directors and Appointed Committee Chairs. I'd like to especially recognize
Dot Mason
for her many years of dedicated service and as our "reluctant" Chapter Secretary for the last 2 years, while also serving on the National level as part of the Philanthropic Committee.
In reflecting on the past two years, what has become tremendously clear is that the spirit and practice of philanthropy is something that I believe collectively improves human conditions. It is not just the giving of financial resources, but giving of one's expertise, passion, talent and experience. We all come from varying walks of life, which contribute to the uniqueness of how we view the world and why we choose to make an impact. I firmly believe that deep down, we all want to make the world a better place than when we entered it. This has been at least, my motivation to "transform the lives of children and adults" for the better.
Going forward, Assistance League of Hawaii will be in great hands under the leadership of President
Mary Monohon
. We play a vital role in the community, and I hope that this year each member will find a way to serve Assistance League of Hawaii in the new "Normal" following the COVID-19 pandemic. Serving as President has been an honor, a joy, and one of the most valuable experiences that I will always cherish for the rest of my life. I thank you all for allowing me to serve you as your President.
Although we did not meet in May, there are two awards that are given to recognize exceptional members.
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Myrtle Ching-Rappa
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Martha Taylor Frensley Award
The Martha Taylor Frensley Award was established in 1997 to honor
Marti Frensley
for her "abounding service" to Assistance League of Hawaii. Since that time there have been lots of members who continue to display "abounding service" in many ways.
This year's recipient has been very active in the Operation Wildlife program by updating and producing an outstanding Operation Wildlife presentation as well as speaking in many schools about conserving our environment for the future. Environmental conservation has been her passion and is still exemplified through her support of Hanauma Bay.
She is also an expert at conducting workshops on Robert's Rules and has graciously stepped up to the role of Parliamentarian at our Board meetings over the past two years. She also agreed to chair the Hospitality Committee and introduced members to RSVP through the "Evite" social planning website for their attendance. In just two years since joining Assistance League of Hawaii, she has been an invaluable member to our Chapter. She is none other than Myrtle Ching Rappa.
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Margie Van Swearingen
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Ada Edwards Laughlin Award
Ada Edwards Laughlin worked behind the scenes, without fanfare, to help
Anne Banning
, the founder of Assistance League, further the goals of the organization. She took very little credit, but worked tirelessly to promote the values and programs of Assistance League. This award is named for a member who works quietly in the background.
This year's recipient joined Assistance League of Hawaii more than 20 years ago. This year, she has been working long hours upstairs in the Thrift Shop and in a myriad of positions that gave support whenever/wherever it was needed. Some of her positions were Finance Chair, By Laws Chair, Assistant Treasurer Pro Tempore in the absence of the Treasurer, Chair/Coordinator of the Walmart In-Store Events for OSB. Due to COVID-19 and the National mandates on Protected Persons Policies, those positions were very challenging but she guided the Chapter through it all effortlessly. We are so fortunate to have
Margie Van Swearingen
, sharing her talents and expertise in our Ohana!
$7,500 Grant
Many thanks to Gloria McGhee-Koel and helpers for obtaining a $7,500.00 grant from the Friends of Hawaii Charities, Inc. They appreciate the care we give to the children participating in Operation School Bell. This grant is given to over 110 local non-profits helping out Hawaii communities from proceeds raised through the 2020 Sony Open and supported by The Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, Inc., which matches funds raised dollar-for-dollar by the tournament. The title sponsor is Sony Corporation, host site Waialae Country Club, and state sponsor Hawaii Tourism Authority.
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Mary Monohon
Incoming President / Resource Development
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You Can Make a Difference!
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Mahalo to
Carol Jones
for volunteering to chair Resource Development for 2020-21 Board. As you may know Carol travels for part of the year, so
we need help on this committee
(calling you Snowbirds) to help in Resource Development during her absence and promoting acquisitions through realtors and senior living establishments.
Honestly, this is an easy way to give back to the Assistance League with minimal time required. There is even a notebook with step-by-step instructions to follow. I do hope if you are interested you contact me or anyone on the board for more information. My email is
humpohon@gmail.com
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Keep collecting change for our Change for Change program. These coin cans may always be dropped off at the Thrift Shop. Empty cans are available in the Ohana Room.
Let's Do Lunch!
We are looking for a volunteer to head up our lunch meetings for 2020-21, as Hospitality Chairman. Once venues are selected (we can work on this over the summer), then duties are:
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Let members know date and location of luncheon through newsletter
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Keep RSVP list
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Take name tags and cash box from store to location.
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Receive payment from members at venue.
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Coordinate with Treasurer for payment to venue.
Travelling next year? No problem! You have a committee and Board members to fill in where necessary. Interested in any part of this? My email is
humpohon@gmail.com
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Operation Wildlife
Calling all hands!
Please help! We need a coordinator (or two) to schedule Operation Wildlife (OWL) for 2020-21. This program has enriched our keiki for over 30 years. The board is here to help and keep OWL an active program.
Once school schedules are announced we can start the planning. Please reach out to me with any interest, however small, so we can build a committee to keep our OWL program going! The Board has your back and will not let you fail. I can be reached at
humpohon@gmail.com
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Have a great summer.
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Our Thrift Shop Reopens June 2nd
Tuesday, June 2 is the big day for the Thrift Shop reopening. We will only be open on Tuesdays and Saturdays through June and the hours will be from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Nancy Sparacino has been working hard on scheduling for June. Please remember everything is voluntary. If working downstairs, please be sure to arrive by 9:00 so you can receive on-the-spot training. We will be following all COVID-19 guidelines from the State. Information has been sent out on our guidelines and procedures for reopening to members and workers. They are also posted on our website.
Please re-read them before you come. If you did not receive these important messages, let me know and I will resend them to you.
Our customers also received an attractive and informative Constant Contact message that gives the dates, times, and procedures for reopening.
Many workers have been in the shop for the past few weeks getting ready, organizing and cleaning. We have face shields for workers and are always on the lookout for large bottles of hand sanitizer gel. Should you be at a store when the large bottles reappear - please get one for the shop. You will be reimbursed.
The first week will give us a better idea on how things will flow. We can adapt as necessary. We already know that we will receive more donations than we can handle. Donations have to "rest" upstairs for 3 days. If people leave donations at your home - please keep in mind that we have to be very selective in what we accept. (We announced we will not take toys, books, seasonal items and furniture in addition to the regular things we do not accept).
Someone smashed the glass door at the Thrift Shop only two days before we reopen! New member volunteers Shelton Higa, Aaron Awaya and crew made a temporary repair to the door. An investigation is underway.
If you have any concerns or questions, you can call me. See you this month at the Thrift Shop!
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We have been busy cleaning, organizing and upgrading the Thrift Shop to get it ready for reopening June 2. Because of COVID-19, several changes have been implemented including plexiglass barriers, face mask requirements for all member volunteers and customers. Those changes can be found at this link. Shown at top left and bottom: New member Davin Preza.
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June 2020 Thrift Shop Calendar
All Shifts 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
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Nancy Sparacino
Treasurer
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We Are Seeking an Assistant Treasurer
Our Funds Are in Good Shape - Got Dues?
Many thanks to the following Assistant Treasurers who have given their time all year to count money, make deposits to the bank, offer their expertise, and do many other related chores: Margie Van Swearingen, Sandy Wells, Mary Monohon and Ellen Wilson. It takes a small village to handle the finances of Assistance League of Hawaii.
If paying your dues for 2020-2021 has slipped your mind, you can still mail your check for $70 to: Assistance League of Hawaii / 1505 Young Street / Honolulu, HI 96826 / Attention: Treasurer. We want to be sure you are included on our member roster, which will be updated this summer.
WANTED: We are in need of a new Assistant Treasurer for 2020-2021 who will count the weekly Thrift Shop deposits and take those deposits to Bank of Hawaii. This is a once-a-week job, which can be done at the at the convenience of the Assistant Treasurer. Please contact me at 436-5305 if you would be willing to fill this role or have questions about what is involved.
We are entering our new fiscal year in good financial shape. Though we have had the challenge of our Thrift Shop closure, due to COVID-19, we are ready to reopen and our customers are anxious to shop again. We have good reserves to get us through tough times, and we will be able to continue our good work in Hawaii. Thanks to all of our members for your continued support and your priceless donations of your time.
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Marjorie Van Swearingen
ByLaws
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Amendment of Assistance League of Hawaii Bylaws
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National has officially amended all Chapter's Bylaws to address the issue of conducting meetings of the Board and the Regular Membership through the use of telephonic and/or video teleconferencing, ie. electronic meetings.
National has officially included Vote by Electronic Transmission as an option, along with the Vote by Mail option.
This Amendment to our Bylaws guides our Chapter through the process of being able to conduct electronic meetings and voting.
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Laurelyn Berger
Operation School Bell ®
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Letter of Thanks for T-Shirt Uniforms
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The following letter of thanks came from Aiea Elementary School for recent donations Operation School Bell made to the school.
"Part of the confidence from the students is that Assistance League believes in them by providing each student with a t-shirt uniform. When the students all have the same similarities they do not feel separated in the classroom. The uniform has been a form of bonding, pride and togetherness we thank Assistance League of Hawaii. Our school has been blessed with your generosity. This OSB program has been greatly appreciated by the students, families and staff. "
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Service Hours by Karen McClelland
Your Monthly Service Hours
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Thank you for your diligence in submitting your service hours every month. It is very important for National Assistance League use and to demonstrate the good work that we do. Please send your hours to me at the end of every month so I can enter them onto the spreadsheet. Only the total is necessary. For those of you who worked during the summer and forgot to give them to me, please include those. Let me know if you need assistance in submitting the hours.
Thank you, Karen McClelland 808-741-7249. Your hours can also be sent by email to: karenmccle@gmail.com
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Newsletter Editor & Contact: Melvin Ah Ching
assistanceleaguehimarketing@gmail.com * 801-810-7135
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