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Monthly Emails

March 2021 NorCal Club Newsletter

 

Alums gather from the Bay Area and beyond to celebrate Lunar New Year.

 

Dear fellow alums,

As the months pass, it’s hard to believe we’re staring down nearly a year of being in quarantine due to the Covid-19 pandemic. We are so grateful for technology that allows us to see each other virtually and be in community even though we have not been able to meet in person in so long. We began February celebrating the Year of the Ox with a lively Lunar New Year dumpling cookalong hosted by NorCal board member Sarah Lau ’07. Thanks to Zoom, alums from not only the Bay Area, but also New York and Connecticut were able to join! Almost all of our events are open to all MHC alums regardless of location–one silver lining of virtual events. Club co-president Steph Corrales ’16 hosted an alums of color dinner to recognize Black History Month and support local Black-owned restaurants by getting takeout. We again welcomed Attorney Barbara B. Creed, who presented a special webinar of Supreme Court cases to watch this term, and we celebrated Mary Lyon’s birthday with our annual tea hosted by Club treasurer Pauline Au ’87 and Membership co-chair Marija Vulfs ’08. At the tea, conversation turned to ways in which we can all work to be more assertive and take charge of ourselves as well as when to ask for help and outsource–as attendee Rhonda Bennon ’73 put it: “You are the CEO of your own life.” Words to remember as we head into March! Didn’t make it to an event last month? Check out our slate of upcoming events–we hope to see you at one of them.  

Join the Board

We want you! For those interested in being more involved with the Club, please consider joining our board. We welcome alums from our entire Northern California region, not just the Bay Area. Our Board meetings are via Zoom even in non-pandemic times, so location truly doesn’t matter. We would love to have representation from throughout our incredibly large region! 

The next term begins July 1, 2021. Peruse the board descriptions and let us know if any positions spark your interest by reaching out to us by email. We’re always looking for fresh perspectives and look forward to hearing from you. 

In Memoriam

The NorCal club would like to acknowledge Northern California Club member Margaret Crystal ’43 of Pleasanton who recently passed away. Our sincerest condolences to her family and friends.  

Get in touch!

As we continue virtual planning for 2021, please let us know what types of virtual events, programs, and resources may best support you at this time or any which you may wish to offer. 

  • What events or programming would you like to see? 
  • Have a talent you’d like to share? A group you want to start? A community you’d like to nourish? Host one of our monthly M&Cs or another virtual event! Email us or fill out this form to get started. 
  • We’d love to showcase members of our alum community on social media. If you’re interested in sharing your story with our local community online, let us know here.

We’re also still welcoming any recommendations of alums who have founded, work for, or volunteer at local Northern California organizations doing anti-racist work or fundraising and will include them in upcoming newsletters. Please send any recommendations to the Board at mountholyoke@gmail.com.

Our very best wishes,

– The Board   

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Virtual Programming from the Alum Association

The College is offering a range of virtual programming and opportunities to connect. Learn more on the AA Events page.

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Membership Dues

Interested in supporting the Club further? Join the Club by paying your annual, tax-deductible Membership Dues! And if you don’t want to remember to pay your dues every year, make one payment to join us as a Lifetime Member. You can pay your dues or become a Lifetime Member here: MHC Club of Northern CA Membership Dues. The Club’s fiscal year is July 1 to June 30. Please note: If you would prefer to pay by check, please email us. 

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Stay Connected 

To hear the latest about our programming in-between our monthly newsletters, we encourage you to connect with the Club on one or more forms of social media. We hope to see you at an event soon!