News / Articles

2026 General Membership Meeting Minutes

Monday, February 16, 2026

6:00pm (Social & Tech Time), 6:30 – 7:30pm (Mtg)

American Legion

1. Tech Time 6-6:30- Volunteer Hours Assistance-Susan Hughes
   1. Susan Hughes helped members enter their volunteer hours and answered questions on how to navigate the website.

    

2. Welcome/Housekeeping:
        a. Friendly Reminder: Alcohol purchases – Please make any alcohol purchases prior to the start of the Meeting. Only members of the American Legion can purchase alcohol. Please show your membership card to the bartender. Nonmembers who want a drink please reach out to anyone you see wearing a lei and they will be happy to assist.

    

3. Meeting called to order by Julie House at 6:32 pm
   1. Present:Jule House, Susan Hughes, Terry Merrick, Kathy Becker, Terri Collins, Kathie McBryde and 46 IW members

    

4. For Sale at the Meeting:
   1. 2025 IW Bags –$5
   2. Cookbooks - $20
   3. Passports- $10

    

5. Introduction of New Members:
   1. Beth Wrobel introduced the new IW members: Liz Hughes, Janine Lancisi, Denise Lasalle, and Trisha Aughe

                                                                  

6. New Member Social
   1. The New Member Social will be held on March 12, 2026
   2. June will send invitations to new members.

    

7. Finance
   1. Financial reports have been uploaded to the website.
   2. IW voting members have approved checksfor Anthony’s Way, Lo Tide Run, Sleep in Heavenly Peace and Little Pink Houses of Hope

    

8. Highlight Island Women Partner
   1. Little Pink Houses of Hope
      1. Kate Weiss provided information about the upcoming retreat to be held on April 13-17.
         1. Kate’s Pancake House asks patrons to “round up” when the pay their bill. In 12 years, this initiative has raised in excess of $150,000. These funds are used to support the Little Pink Houses of Hope Retreats.
         2. Meals will be provided by the CB Fireman and area businesses.
         3. Paddle boarding will be provided by Ocean Cure
         4. Island Men will take the groups fishing and lead the families to their house on the first day.
         5. There will be approximately 80-95 participants.
            1. Welcome Bags are needed including beach towels, toys for children, etc.
            2. Household Bags are needed including toilet paper, paper towels, etc.
            3. Decorating is needed for the arrival dinners at the Firehouse and St Paul’s Church, Share and Support Brunch at clubhouses and the closing dinner at St Paul’s.
            4. Assistance on Beach Day is needed including planning games, etc.
               1. Set up at 11 am and clean up at 4 pm
         6. The Volunteer form is on the Little Pink website. This form needs to be completed if you are serving as a volunteer.
      2. IW is developing 3 teams – please sign up on the IW website to volunteer.
         1. Welcome Bag
         2. Decorating
         3. Beach Day
   2. Pleasure Island Needs Talent –
      1. Will be held on March 7^th at 6 pm at The Marriott
         1. There are still tickets available.
   3. Steve Haydu Low Tide Run
      1. Will be held on March 14^th at 8 am.
      2. Jenny Boozell asked everyone to sign up on the website to volunteer.

          

   4. Anthony’s Way of Kindness
      1. Will be held on Feb 28^th at 1 pm
      2. Please sign up on the website
      3. Participants will be wearing pink leis.

    

9. Event Updates
        a. Martha's Kitchen Fundraiser at Stoked
   1. Pat Krum reported that this event raised more than $25,000.
   2. Kay Rutkowski discussed various auction items that will be available.
   3. IW members are asked to donate lottery tickets for raffle baskets.
   4. Please sign up on the website to volunteer for this event

                                                                                     

    

10. Committee updates
    1. SEA
       1. Lynn Hargrove asked that everyone sign up on the website for the following events:
          1. Boutique Sip and Shop will be held on February 27th from 4:30 to 7 pm
          2. Quarterly Birthday Lunch will be held on March 6^th at 1 pm at Hoplite.
          3. Committee Meeting on February 25^th 6 pm at Neapolitan
          4. Carolins Beach Furniture will be hosting an event on April 30^th at 5 pm and will donate $10 for each IW member who attends.
          5. Wellness Event at Proximity on May 9^th at 11 am
          6. Beach Day – date to be determined.

     

                                                                                                               

    1. Member Care
       1. Please contact Mary Kaye if you are interested in serving as the co-chair.
    2. Literacy
       1. Completed a purge of Rec Center materials.

        

11. Volunteer Hours
    1. Susan Hughes discussed the importance of logging volunteer hours to vote in elections, approve distribution of checks over $1000 and to support grant applications.

        

12. Quarterly Basket Raffle
    1. Susan Hughes announced that we will be adding a quarterly raffle open to any IW member who logged volunteer hours in the previous quarter.

     

13. Announcements/ Open Questions/Discussion
    1. Please join us at Hoplite for social time following the meeting
    2. Members were encouraged to join committees.
       1. Please reach out to the Chair when you join a committee as they did not get notified when you join.

     

14. Upcoming Events: Check the Island Women Calendar for Locations and Times

     

    1. February 28 -Anthonys Way Kindness Walk
    2. February 24-Literacy Meeting
    3. February 27-Boutique Sip and Shop
    4. March 6-Quarterly Birthday Lunch at Hoplite
    5. March 7-Pleasure Island Needs Talent Show
    6. March 14-Low Tide Walk

        

15. Meeting Adjourned at: 7:33
    1. Motion to adjourn by: Mel Lombardi
    2. Second: Mary Swack
    3. All in favor