Membership Spirit Beyond This Season

By Laura Oversvee, Northwest Regional Membership Consultant 2021-2023

Evidence of the holiday spirit is seen in abundance during this season: music, lights, decorations, candles, gifts and parties. We eagerly share this celebration with our families, ters are subdued, while others are more outgoing in their leadership style. Our diverse backgrounds and personality differences strengthen our organization, generating incredible synergy as friends and communities. In our A∆K community, we have a spirit within our membership. What is this spirit? I think of it as the essence that animates each of us to express our understanding and love to others. It is at the heart of our organization, directing us to show others how much we care. This spirit is the part each of us contributes to enhancing the whole organization. This spirit continues throughout the year.

We are a strong organization because of the diversity of our backgrounds, beliefs, languages and personalities, blended with our common goals and shared values of integrity and generosity. Commitment and passion, together with all our attributes, create a spirit tapestry uniting our whole organization. Our membership demonstrates spirit as we honor each other, develop goals, attend meetings and plan and carry out fundraisers and altruistic projects together. When we reach out beyond chapters, our actions highly impact communities locally and worldwide. These actions inspire others to be more involved. This is the spirit of membership demonstrated by each sister.

Evidence of membership spirit can be seen through the kindness, understanding, compassion and care shown to all. We see it as sisters greet one another at chapter meetings or other functions. If a sister doesn’t come to a meeting, she gets a call to find out why she wasn’t there. When a sister is in need, a word about it is sent out, resulting in many cards or calls to her. Spirit is in the generosity of sisters giving time and resources to schools and special community projects in the name of A∆K. One chapter prepared welcome-back goodie bags early in September for each teacher in the three schools represented by their teaching members. Our connections grow as we eat together, share ideas, collect school supplies, walk to raise funds or invest time in altruistic endeavors. Friendship, passion and the shared love of A∆K are in the myriad of efforts at all levels. The opportunities shared with chapters extend the woven tapestry to impact communities positively.

Helen Keller said, “The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched – they must be felt with the heart.”

The bonding of sisters is strengthened by working and planning together to accomplish the goals of A∆K. Some siswe work together. Through our varied talents, personal styles of leadership and various approaches to planning, we are stronger together, significantly increasing the results of our earnest efforts worldwide. We can see our accomplishments making a difference in the lives of young people and educators worldwide. Using the strength and confidence we have in organizational and leadership skills will aid in drawing potential members to us. Do we let potential members see our excitement in what we do? Informing others as to what we do and the impact we make will go a long way in getting them to join in our efforts. As members, we know outstanding women who are involved in making our schools and communities more vital for children and families. Invite them to join us. The hope for our organization’s growth lies in strong commitment, individual energy, personal involvement and willingness to share what A∆K membership offers. Think of this as the Spirit of Membership in action. “Connecting with those you know love, like and appreciate you restores the spirit and give you the energy to keep moving forward in this life.” - Deborah Day, MA, mental health clinician. Our challenge is to keep up the Spirit of Membership, tapping this synergy created through our connections. The zeal we demonstrate keeps members actively involved. It is this spirit by which potential members will be infected. Though seasons change, our membership spirit will sustain our love of A∆K. The Spirit of Membership is not only for a season. It continues yearlong. Show your membership spirit. “Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.”

“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched – they must be felt with the heart.”

- Harriet Tubman