Thank you so much for joining us today for our (virtual) 2020 Alumnae Tea and Meeting!! It was heartwarming to gather with you all, reminisce, and celebrate the House with alumnae and current members from across the world. ♥️
If you'd like to recap the meeting, you can find minutes and slides from the meeting in the Alumnae Portal (log-in required).
From the May newsletter:
End of the Year Message from Rebecca Martin (2007), Current HERAA President
Fellow alums,
As we all know, 2020 has been an unprecedented year. All of us are coping with the numerous impacts of COVID-19, recalibrating our daily lives, and learning new ways to engage with each other and our communities.
When HERAA decided to move its annual Alumnae Tea and Business Meeting online, we knew it would not be a sufficient replacement for our annual celebration at 191 Bay State Road. We knew we would miss the beautifully decorated Foyer, the porcelain tea cups set out in the Dining Room, the serendipitous connections made between current students and alumnae looking at photo albums together in the French Room, and the emphatic laughter and applause for our graduating seniors. However, the virtual Tea & Meeting gave us new opportunities we would not have anticipated. Meeting online allowed alums who hadn't been back to Boston since graduation a chance to attend. It greatly expanded the number of nominations we typically receive to participate on the HERAA Board. It helped us surpass our fundraising goals to support House residents and needs during these uncertain times. Perhaps most importantly, it reminded us of the power of connection and community to energize and revitalize. I was grateful and heartened to see the cooperative spirit that this awesome H.E.R. community is built on translated easily into an online environment.
Each year, this May e-newsletter marks the transition between the outgoing and incoming Board. This year's transition prompts us to say goodbye and share our deep thanks to Hillary Johnson (2001) and Sarah Newell (2015) for their many years of service and leadership on the Board. Their many impactful contributions as Past President and Treasurer, respectively, will not be forgotten. We are grateful for their ongoing commitment to the H.E.R. House and its alumnae community.
This year also marks my own transition into the role of Past President. I am grateful for the opportunity to have served five years as HERAA President. I am excited to be able to continue my involvement with HERAA in a new capacity under the leadership of Kenzie Wooters (2018).
Thank you to my fellow Board members and to the broader alumnae community for your support and commitment to our community. I wish you and your loved ones health and happiness.
Sincerely,
Rebecca Martin
Class of 2007
2020 Alumnae Tea and Meeting Recap
You can now find minutes, slides, photos (screenshots!), and awards on our website: https://her-house.org/alumnae/minutes
Congratulations to the 2020 award winners:
We are also excited to announce an additional award this year.
Best Cook Award: Food and fellowship is an integral part to the experience of living in the H.E.R. House. This $100.00 award is intended to recognize and commend the culinary skills and delicious contributions of a Harriet E. Richards Cooperative House resident over the course of the school year. The recipient is determined by current H.E.R. House residents votes. The 2020 Award is sponsored by Emily Torgrimson, Class of 2006.
Welcome to HERAA and special congratulations to the 2020 seniors!
Presenting Our New 2020-21 HERAA Board
President: Kenzie Wooters (2018)
Past President: Rebecca Martin (2007)
Vice-President: Paulette Sharen (1982)
Director of Communications: Natasia Sidarta (2012)
Treasurer: Renee Gaillard (2014)
Clerk: Sacha de Jong (2020)
Outreach & Engagement Chair: Zefa Sullivan (2013)
Communications Committee Chair: Jenni Todd (2020)
What's next?
Connect with alumnae and support current residents:
Register here for the 2020 HER House Alumnae Annual Meeting
Now Online! We won’t be able to gather in person but we’re excited to move our 2020 Alumnae Annual Meeting online! Make a cup of tea, bake your favorite pastry from the House, and join us as we (virtually) get together to catch up, discuss updates, and celebrate alumnae and current members! Join us with your cup of tea on Sunday, April 26th starting at 2:00PM EST with Communitea where you’ll get to casually connect and catch up with fellow alumnae and current residents. Then we’ll get started with the Business Meeting at 2:30PM EST. A few days before the meeting, we’ll send out the Zoom link and any additional information you may need. Don’t miss out on any updates or info by submitting your RSVP here. Date: Sunday, April 26, 2020 Board NominationsGiven our shift to conducting the Annual Meeting online, we will also be conducting our Board Elections virtually as well. Any graduating senior or alumnae in any location can be nominated with the exception of the President position which is required to be based in the Boston-area. Nominations must be submitted by Sunday, April 26th. Interested in nominating yourself and/or someone else for the 2020-2021 HERAA Board? Read more about each position in our By-Laws and then nominate yourself or another alumna online. Online nominations are due by 11:59PM on Monday, April 27, 2020. ------- After the nominations have closed, we will reach out to those who have been nominated to formally accept or decline their nomination. We will then conduct online voting through our website so please be sure to create an online alumnae account at https://her-house.org/alumnae/portal. We will announce the new 2020-21 HERAA Board by mid-May 2020. Get into the H.E.R. House spirit by preparing your favorite cup of tea and pastry to enjoy during the 2020 Virtual Alumnae Tea and Meeting! Need recipe ideas? Click here to download the official 2020 Annual Alumnae Tea Cookbook - featuring recipes from current House members and recent alumnae! You can also find the text-only version on the site here. Questions |