Watch our Spring/Fall 2020 Annual Meeting |
After the cancellation of our Spring and Fall Luncheons, Women in Philanthropy Advisory Board decided to update the membership via video. Some of us consider this pretty high tech but we bit the bullet to get the job done.
On Monday October 26, 2020, we gathered at Hilton Head Island Community Church where Cynthia Cullen and James Brown very capably organized, instructed and professionally recorded a production to be viewed by our membership and others into perpetuity. We hope it serves to show the good works WIP has continued uninterrupted as we all work our way through difficult times. You can watch the video here. Enjoy and be proud!
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Our Dolphin Head Dawn Walk & Sea Breeze Breakfast Was a Great Success!
Early morning October 17, we were presented with a disappointing chill and northeast wind. The carefully planned buffet breakfast had to be simplified because the tablecloths were flapping like a spinnaker out of control. A warmly dressed, enthusiastic group of WIP members, potential members and guests gathered at Dolphin Head and began walking east on the bluff at first light. A beautiful sunrise developed before our eyes even around and under puffy clouds.
Carol Clemens of Coastal Discovery Museum - docent, photographer and master naturalist - treated us to explanations of native plants and their uses, revolutionary and civil war history, and the ecology of Port Royal Sound. We learned a great deal about the local avian wildlife and some of us will be new participants in the Bird Count on December 16!
Although Mimosas were anticipated, hot coffee was the drink of choice when the destination was reached. Hot French toast, peach cobbler, fresh fruit and bacon rounded out breakfast for the hikers. This was an invigorating and rewarding morning, for sure.
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Here's what attendees said about the event: |
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Carole Galli:
"This morning's "adventure" was special in several ways; not the least of which was giving all of us a chance to safely see some friends in the flesh as opposed to zooming. If this pandemic has taught me anything it is that the human experience is priceless. All that and peach cobbler, hot coffee and real bacon. As the Gershwins so aptly put it, "Who could ask for anything more?"
Anna Broecker:
"Thank you so much for including me in the "Dawn Bluff Walk". That was a great experience! I have actually not watched a sunrise before! Loved the commentary by Carol, very knowledgeable and informative! Loved all the fabulous food on your buffet, especially the stuffed French Toast and the Peach Cobbler."
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Jean Henderson:
"A big thank you for organizing the lovely morning walk and beautiful breakfast we had yesterday. It was a lovely idea perfectly executed."
We also received a very gracious thank you from naturalist Carol Clemens, who hosted the walk. You can read it here.
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WIP-Sponsored Events
The COVID-19 pandemic may have derailed our gatherings for a while, but we're starting to get back on track - in a safe and socially distanced manner! Check out our Upcoming WIP Events in the sidebar at the top of this newsletter to see what's coming up. As events get closer, you'll receive details from us.
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Of Interest to WIP Members
From time to time, we share non-WIP-sponsored events we think may be of interest to our members. Here's an upcoming one we think you'll enjoy:
Lean Ensemble Theater Virtual Event: Developmental Reading about Mitchelville
October 29 - November 1.
Annual Holiday Party - We Want to Know What You Think!
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We're in the process of planning the WIP annual holiday party, and we'd like to gauge potential attendance before booking a venue.
We'd like to know if you would attend a holiday party in a public space (with WIP members and venue staff only) if precautions and social distancing are maintained? Please answer our poll below.
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If we were taking reservations for the holiday party today, would you plan to attend?
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You may have noticed that Women in Philanthropy has been in the local press a lot lately!
Local Publications
News Media
Our Chair, Elizabeth Loda, was also interviewed on WHHI's Talk of the Town. The interview is currently on the WHHI's YouTube channel, which you can watch here.
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Advisory Board Member Spotlight:
Peaches Peterson
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We hope to start highlighting our advisory board members so that you can get to know them better. We thought there was no one better to start off with than Peaches, our Events Chair. Peaches has worked tirelessly trying to plan our events throughout the pandemic, dealing with many cancellations and reschedules.
Peaches has been on the WIP advisory board since 2018, and she has been on the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry's board of directors since 2017. Here's a little more about her:
Shirley “Peaches” Peterson earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in criminology from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana and a Master of Science degree in counseling from St. Louis University. She has been an adjunct professor at Webster University and Maryville University, both in St. Louis. She has held human resource training and consulting roles with Prudential Insurance, Maritz Motivation Company and McDonnell Douglas Missile Systems (Boeing Company).
For 14 years, Peterson served as the scholarship director for Bentonville High School in northwest Arkansas. She led their scholarship fundraising campaign, raising $1.7 million for graduating seniors. She received the Teacher of the Year award from a community youth group and was a sponsor of the school’s Black Student Union.
Peterson served as president of the Rogers-Bentonville Junior Auxiliary and was a founding board member of the northwest Arkansas graduate chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. Her heart for women in need is reflected in her service on the boards of the Benton County Women’s Shelter, where she served as board chair, and the Single Parent Scholarship Fund. Additionally, she was appointed to the Ozark Counseling, Inc. and Saving Grace Ministries boards.
Peterson has also been involved in the arts. She has held board positions with the Mid-America Art Alliance, and as president of the Walton Arts Center board. Along with and her husband, Coleman, Peterson has received the Walton Arts Center’s Bravo Award for Community Service and the Arkansas Governor’s Patron of the Arts Award. She also received the 2009 Athena Award for community service.
Peterson currently mentors young women and serves as vice-chair for Coastal Discovery Museum, sits on the Women in Philanthropy advisory board and is board chairperson for the Mitchelville Preservation Project.
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The WIP Membership Committee Needs Your Help! |
Our member directory is a vital tool for WIP communications, and only you can tell us whether your information is correct. Do you have a new address, phone number or email?
We request that you verify the following:
- your name as it should appear in the directory (and on your nametag)
- date of your last annual contribution to WIP
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how contribution was made: check, credit card, transfer from a donor advised fund (if so, name of fund), stock transfer (if so, from what broker & name on account)
- preferred phone number(s)
- email address
- physical address & residential community
NOTE: Annual contributions to WIP now cover a calendar year. Your 2020 contribution may have been made at the end of 2019 or any time in 2020. Your 2021 contribution will be due by January 15, 2021. If you prefer to do your philanthropic giving at year-end, just make sure you note that it is for the next calendar year.
One of our goals is to maintain an up-to-date membership directory, and we can’t do it without your help!
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Important Membership Note
All members' 2021 contributions are due in January (calendar year). You may renew online by credit card, or by mail at Community Foundation of the Lowcountry, P.O. Box 23019, Hilton Head Island, SC 29925. If paying by check, please include a note in the memo line that says "WIP Membership Renewal."
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Women in Philanthropy is a Fund of
Community Foundation of the Lowcountry
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