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Women in Philanthropy CSRA
Fall Newsletter 2026
In Memory of Debbie Bates
1951 - 2026
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Board Members
Pat Harris - Chair
Sallie Metzel - Chair-elect
Sheree Wright - Finance Chair
Tandy Menk - Secretary
Crystal Eskola - Membership
Sallie Metzel - Communications
Sheila Kamath - Grant Chair-elect
Cathy Wall - Special Events
Christie Maund - Governance
Barbara Miller - Education
Pamela Dorminey-Uros - Past Chair, Nominating
Members -at-Large
Halley Badger
Kimberly Dunn
Lisa Turner Maddox
Heather Seigler
Katy Olsen-Tank
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Upcoming Events
Fall Forum
Prospective members are welcomed.
Tuesday, September 15th
4:30
The Community Hub
631 Chafee Ave
30904
Lunch and Learn
Tuesday, September 22nd
12:00
The Community Foundation
720 Sebastian Way #160
30901
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Tuesday, October 27th
12:00
The Community Foundation
720 Sebastian Way #160
30901
Impact Tour
Thursday, November 12th
10:00
Oak Ministries
1550 15th Street
30901
Reminder
Dues for the year 2026
Deadline
December 31th
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Welcome New Members
Kayla Evette Cooper
Rosemary Helmich
Rita Jerith
Elizabeth McCormack
Emma Grey Macuch
Allie Rafoth
Amy Wright
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Chair's Corner
Honoring Debbie’s Legacy
I am humbled and honored to step into the role so faithfully held by Debbie Bates. Debbie gave Women in Philanthropy and our community her heart, wisdom, and commitment. We will miss her deeply, and we will honor her by continuing the work she cared about so much: serving women and children in our community.
Thank you to Sallie Metzel for serving as Chair-Elect this year. I look forward to working with her. Thank you also to Cathy Wall for opening her heart and home for our new member social, and to everyone who helped make it such a welcoming and well-attended gathering.
My focus for the remainder of Debbie’s term will be on member engagement leading to member growth. So, we can help more women and children in need! There we will be a change in the format of the Fall Forum (September 15) previously communicated from a survey and business meeting back to its previous format. We will have a previous grantee speaker(s) share their organization and the use of WIP’s grant. Please bring a prospective member! Guests welcome!!
The Membership Committee will be
presenting their “Meet and Greet” plans to recruit new members at the Fall Forum. This will require your help. In addition, we will have new brochures to share with friends and prospective members to help your recruiting!
Our community: The CSRA is currently experiencing a spike in food insecurity because of cuts to SNAP benefits and rising food costs. Golden Harvest is reporting a massive surge in demand and local retailers feel the loss of economic stimulus from SNAP cuts. CSRA families with benefit drops and rising grocery costs, are forced to make trade-offs between purchasing basic food items and paying for housing, utilities, or medical care.
Fondly,
Pat Harris,
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Pat Harris
2026-2027 Chair
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Patty Breed, Cathy Wall, and Pat Harris
Cathy Wall, the Special Events Chair, hosted WIP's New Member Social
at her beautiful home on Summerville Lane. Many new members attended.
They were greeted by board members, advisory board members,
and the special events committee. It was a great success!
| | Cathy Wall, BJ Blackwood, and Beth Evans | | | Christie Maund, Nan Easler, and Julie Badger | | | Sallie Metzel, Pam Barrett, and Anne Trotter | | | Toni Peacock and Anne Trotter | | | Emma Grey Wall, Fran Upton, and Allie Rafoth | | | Crytal Eskola and Dodie Neely | | | Kimberly Dunn, Cambrey Wood, and Christie Maund | | Debbie Bates, Dody Neely, and Patty Breed | | BJ Blackwood, Hillary Millar, and Susan Nicholson | | Lisa Daitch and Joan Steinberg | | Jackie Cohen, Shelia Kamath, and Cambrey Wood | | | Pam Barrett and Lisa Turner Maddox | | | |
Impact Tour Visits
Salvation Army City of Hope
| | On May 20th, nine WIP members visited the Salvation Army City of Hope on 1384 Green Street for a tour. We were so impressed with the facility and what it has available for those who are homeless in our community. | | |
Jeannie Johnson, Shelia Kamath, Ann Proctor, Geradine Rinker, Jackie Cohen, Sallie Metzel, Pam Thompson, Christy Skalak, and Barbara Miller.
Within the shelter, the residents are given coupons to select clothing items that have been donated to the shelter.
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Several members donated bedding items and towels to the shelter.
Jessye Norman School of the Arts
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On August 13, eleven WIP members toured the Jessye Norman School
of the Arts. This year WIP awarded the school a grant of $20,000.
" We saw first-hand the children in the after-school programs and can attest that this grantee is truly making a difference in the lives of children. The school has a wonderful reading program and many of us brought books to donate to the school's library."
Barbara Miller
Education Chair
| | Sallie Metzel, Lisa Turner Maddox, Dody Neely, Pat Harris, Mary Margaret Melero Hunter, Ann Proctor, Rose Helmich, Patty Breed, Geradine Rinker, Barbara Miller, and Shelia Kamath | | Gary Dennis, Executive Director of Jessye Norman School of the Arts | | Barbara Miller, Patty Breed, and Pat Harris | | |
The Grants Committee came together on August 12th for an orientation
with BJ Blackwood ahead of this year's grant cycle.
Left: Cambrey Wood, Katy Olsen-Tank, Floride Dickert, Joan Steinberg, Carolyn Tynan, Sheree Wright
Right: BJ Blackwood, Andrea Butt, Patty Breed, Bobbie Ingenito, Kayla Cooper, Naila Assad, Gail Massey
Not pictured: Sallie Metzel (amateur photograph), Sheila Kamath (accidently cut out by the amateur photograph), Jeannie Johnson, Donna Gann, and Laura Mulloy
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Focus Group Leaders are the following: (left to right)
Katy Olsen-Tank, Andrea Butt, BJ Blackwood, Patty Breed,
Sheila Kamath, Sheree Wright
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Lunch and Learn
Have lunch with other WIP members.
The Community Foundation
720 St Sebastian Way #160
Bring only your lunch.
Drinks and desserts will be available.
Tuesday, September 22nd
12:00
Becky McKenzie, past WIP chair, will talk about the WIP story
and how to share it with others.
Tuesday, October 27th
12:00
Philanos is the leading national women’s giving circle network and is focused on supporting the growth and sustainability of women’s giving circles. WIP is a Philanos Affiliate. We will join Philanos leaders and explore Philanos, their website, and the resources available to all Philanos Affiliates and their members.
Click to reserve your space.
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Next Impact Tour
Thursday, November 12th
10:00
Oak Ministries
1550 15th Street
30901
We will meet at the Walton Green Adventure Center which is located
next to Oak Ministries.
Afterwards join us for lunch at Sweet Azalea located at
2569 Central Avenue 30904
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Leadership Begins with You: Nominations for 2027–2028
Women in Philanthropy of the CSRA is preparing for its 2027–2028 leadership year, and the Nominating Committee is seeking members who are ready to step forward and serve. Leadership positions to be filled are the following:
Chair-Elect
Communications
Education
Governance
Finance Chair
Members at Large
All positions are two-year terms. WIP’s strength comes from members who are willing to share their experience, talents, and ideas. We encourage you to volunteer your interest in a leadership position or recommend a fellow WIP member whose abilities and commitment would strengthen our organization. Position descriptions are available for each leadership role, and expressing interest is simply an opportunity to learn more about how you might serve.
Step forward. Recommend a colleague. Help shape the future of Women in
Philanthropy.
For additional information, a position description, or to express interest or recommend a member, please contact:
Pamela Dorminey-Uros
Nominating Chair
| | | Women in Philanthropy | Post Office Box 31358 | Augusta, GA 30903 US | | | | |
