July 2021 Newsletter
A Note from Lilie & Ashley
Dear Grove Sisters,
The last several weeks have been busy as we’ve been focused on learning everything we can about the Grove, and shepherding a smooth leadership transition. So many of you have met with us, joined committee meetings, and reached out to share about our wonderful group, its history, and your hopes for its future. We have heard you, and we have been touched by your obvious love for this group, and your warm welcome. Thank you!
It has been a privilege to learn first-hand about the amazing work so many of our sisters have accomplished over the years to help create a Grove the is strong and resilient. You’ll be pleased to know there are loads of systems already in place and working beautifully, as well as some exciting opportunities to streamline and improve what can be better. We are also looking at everything, and carefully thinking about best next steps.
As we mentioned in our Town Halls and briefly in our last newsletter, we are focused on four key areas of growth:
· Improved Transparency and Communication
· Governance and Leadership
· Member Experience for Retreat Fees and Dues
· Values Metrics and Continuing Growth
We have much work still to do, but are looking forward to sharing with you updates on our progress next week at our State of the Grove Virtual Town Hall on August 3 at 6pm ET.
Please join us if you can via Zoom, the details for joining are below.
As we all enjoy the freedoms of vaccination and summer’s beautiful weather, we are struck by how important the small things seem to be. Not wearing a mask, hugging someone hello, and simply being together with family and friends. When it comes to healing the year behind us, and facing what’s ahead, we are all craving connection.
Now more than ever, we need the Grove and we need each other.
We hope you are all enjoying every opportunity to be together with loved ones and that if your schedules allow, you can join us at our various virtual and in-person events we are planning!
Warmly,
Lilie & Ashley
If you have any updates you would like to share for future newsletters, please email Amanda Wells (amanda@belizeangrove.org)
P.S. Be sure to read everything below and visit our website as we are constantly updating and making new additions to the content.
What the Grovers, Taras, and Nyomis have been up to lately….
-Shannon O’Neil article on climate change in Latin America was published in Bloomberg Opinion. Click here to read more.
-Victoria Kennedy has been nominated to be US Ambassador to Austria by President Biden. Click here to read more.
Fall Dinners
Thank you so much to everyone who has already volunteered to host Fall Dinners! We are in the process of coordinating everything and will send more information soon.
Dinner in Chicago: Friday, September 10, 2021 at 6PM EST
Dinner in San Francisco: Wednesday, November 12, 2021 at 6PM EST
Dinner in New York: TBD
Dinner in Washington DC: TBD
Dinner in Boston: TBD
Cocktails & Dinner in NY
Monday, August 9, 2021 at 5:30 PM EST
If you are going to be in the NY area on August 9th, please reach out to KimberlyTill@aol.com
Once we know more, we will send out more information on who will be hosting, when, and where, as well as information on how to sign up.
Sign up to become a Grove Guide
The first group of Grove Guides have met their new members are areAs we begin to plan for the future of the Grove, we would like to invite you to join us and volunteer to become part of our new Onboarding process as a Grove Guide. Grove Guides will take the place of the former Big Sister program, and will serve as a 12-18 month program to welcome our new members into the Grove.
Click here for more information on what to expect as a Grove Guide.
The Onboarding Committee has created a number of new ways to make our newest members feel more included and have a warm welcome into our wonderful group of women. The Committee is developing a process that includes several touch points for a new member before they even attend their first retreat in order to form lasting friendships that everyone will cherish.Each new member will have at least two Grove guides, one being her sponsor and the other being someone she does not yet know. We want that Grove Guide to be YOU! Even if you sponsor someone else, you can still volunteer to become a Grove Guide to another new member.
If you are interested in becoming a Grove Guide, please join us and answer the following questionnaire below:
Click here to fill out the form and become a Grove Guide*
*Filling out this form does not guarantee you will be called for service.
Save the Date
2022 Annual Retreat in New Orleans- January 27-30, 2022
Our New Orleans Annual Retreat Committee is already hard at work planning the in-person retreat in New Orleans in 2022!
We will explore the local culture and music, eat at restaurants owned and run by female chefs, and experience all the Big Easy has to offer. Our program will be filled with fascinating panels and in the afternoons you will have free time to enjoy art galleries, restaurants, music, tour the World War II Museum, and so much more. Our Saturday night party will be held at Mardi Gras World, with all the floats, marching bands, and the excitement of an authentic NOLA Mardi Gras! The cocktail was invented in New Orleans, so we will be sure to also do our historical research while there.
More information on this retreat will be sent out in the coming weeks.
Board Opportunity
Director Search
We are looking for a candidate with the following qualifications:
Current or former CEO or division head of large company
Previous employment with a consumer products company or company that makes its own products
Avid golfer and a passion for the brands (Titleist, FootJoy, Vokey, Scotty Cameron)
If you have any suggestions or interest, please send resumes to jestabrook@fila.com