AWCH News & Events
AWCH news & Events
President ’ s Message
President ’ s Message
Happy Holidays , Ladies ,
As we approach the end of 2020 , I think about all that has happened and start making plans for the upcoming year . Now more than ever I find that it ’ s the perfect time to pause and take a breath . That said , I know that I will not be able to move forward without making time for a critical component of growth : reflection . The habit of reflection is a huge deal , especially since we ’ ve been living in a time of uncertainty , constant change , and the “ new normal .” Regardless of the challenges of 2020 , I learned a lot , and I would only be cheating myself if I did not also reflect on this year ’ s accomplishments that I can carry forward to the new year .
As I reflect on this past year , I find myself asking the following questions : 1 . What is the most important lesson I ’ ve learned this year ? 2 . What challenges did I overcome ? 3 . How did my relationships ( family , friends , work ) evolve ? 4 . What did I do for my physical and mental health ? 5 . What am I thankful for this year ?
And , looking ahead , I also ask myself : 1 . What is my purpose next year ? 2 . How will I make next year matter ? 3 . How will I help others ? 4 . How will I take care of myself ? 5 . How will I improve the environment ?
I hope you carve out some well-deserved time for yourself to reflect on how resilient and incredible you are .
Speaking of incredible , the AWCH has soldiered on through 2020 without ignoring our philan- thropic nature . Did you know that the term “ philanthropy ” was coined in the fifth century BCE and meant “ love of humanity ?” Today , philanthropy means generosity in all its forms to help make life better for other people . I am grateful that I am on the board this year , as it has allowed me to witness the AWCH ’ s philanthropy firsthand , and I am looking forward to an exciting overview of our club ’ s engagement at our virtual AGM in January .
When I vacate my presidential position at the AGM , I will be able to dedicate more time to FAWCO ’ s SDG Awareness Team , whose mission is to raise awareness of the UN ’ s Sustainable Development Goals ( SDGs ) while focusing on four overarching themes related to FAWCO ‘ s Global Issues : Education ( SDG 4 ), Health ( SDG 3 ), Climate Action ( SDG 13 ), and Gender Equality ( SDG 5 ). The SDGs are an incredibly powerful step toward building a better world for our and future generations , and they are easy to apply to your daily life and habits .
We must invest in our future today , and the AWCH is committed to ensuring that we all can participate in the SDG efforts to create a healthier , more sustainable , more equitable world .
Thank you for trusting me to be the board president this year , as it has been an eye-opening , challenging , and extremely rewarding journey , and I am truly grateful for all your support .
With gratitude , Julia R .
AWCH president
4 AWCH Currents Winter Edition