Well, if all goes as planned…
(I feel like that’s a loaded statement this year. The saying “if you want to make God laugh tell him your plans” comes to mind.) This should be the last time you have to hear from me as your Senior Regent. The plan going forward (as of now (5/16/2020) is we will have our first in-person meeting on June 2. It will be an Activity night meeting to honor the Community Service Chair, we will also honor the Academy of Friendship recipients this night during the meeting. We will NOT, however, have fellowship following the meeting for obvious reasons. The elections will take place on June 16, 3:30-6:45. (Again this can change, please watch your email, signs around the lodge or call the lodge if needed.) Voting can only take place on this day and during this time period. (We are unable to do any absentee ballots per International rules.) Our meeting this night will start at 7 as usual, so we need to make sure voting is wrapped up prior to the meeting, hence 6:45. Installation will take place Saturday, June 27. Please stay tuned for more information on this. We are trying to figure out how to make this safe for all of those involved.
Now the COVID Clauses.. if you are sick, stay home. There will be someone taking temperatures at the door. If you are immunocompromised, please stay home. We encourage the use of masks and hand sanitizer. If you are able to wear a mask, please do. The wearing of masks is strongly ENCOURAGED. It might not be for your safety, but for that of others. I may not be wearing a mask depending on the mic checks. The chairs will be appropriately spaced apart, please do not move them. Please respect social distancing. If someone asks you to please step back, don’t be offended. Recognize this is a very stressful time for all of us and anxieties are running high, as are emotions. We just want everyone to be safe and we are going to take every precaution to try to do so.
I look forward to working with the incoming board this year as Junior Graduate Regent. It’s going to be a challenge. We are going to have to be creative in our fundraising and trying to get that plus one for 2020/21! Thank you to everyone that supported the board and the organization this year… we were definitely within reach before the shutdown, but those last 6 weeks really just killed us. The good news, if you call it that, is that our number is much more attainable this coming year. I’m sorry we couldn’t get to reach the requirements for the Award of Achievement and Top Chapter in the State (you need to receive the Award of Achievement two consecutive years to be eligible), but we all really know who the Top Chapter is! It has been an honor serving you this year. Thank you for your trust and again for your support.
For the last time (I think) as your Senior Regent, Kellee K. Chwala