Editorial
Helpful & Hopeful
Dear Currents Readers ,
Rarely does a theme strike a chord like this one did ! We should have guessed …
Why does anyone join this club ? We are asked this question when we apply for membership , and there is a checklist : we join to meet people who share our interests , make friends , network , participate in the arts , carve a niche for ourselves in this city … myriad motivations , but it ’ s a good question whether many women join for the express purpose of contributing to society . And yet , that is what so many spend their time doing .
Many of our volunteers got started in childhood , often guided by a parent or organization . Some got their start here and have ridden the energy they found in it out beyond the club , finding new areas where their strengths are needed .
As they share their stories , everyone has something to say about the satisfaction they get from volunteering , and often they speak of a sense of connectedness : Connection to individual recipients , connection to humanity , connection to fellow volunteers … and finally , connection to one ’ s best self , the self that is most , well , selfless .
So it shouldn ’ t be a surprise that so many in this club are devoted volunteers . Why does anyone join this club ? It ’ s all about the connection .
Philanthropically yours ,
Mason Jane & Stephanie currents-exec @ awchamburg . org
A Note from Stephanie
I would like to offer a quick farewell from my role as co-editor of Currents . I ’ ve thoroughly enjoyed learning more about all of you and about the intricacies of the club through the pages of this magazine . I ’ ll still be volunteering with the club and Currrents in other ways , but this is my final issue as co-editor . Mason Jane will continue her great work , and we ’ ve got some talented volunteers who are taking over the graphic design . It ‘ s been an honor to work on Currents for the past year . Thank you for all your support !
Isebekkanal at the Alster in December . Photo by Stephanie Matlock Allen
2 AWCH Currents Winter Edition