Final letter from Debbie Lassiter as NCBWL president
As the Season of Lent continues, my season of serving as your president is near the end. I can’t even begin to adequately express my gratitude for the board and members that I have served and worked with over the last two years. Concurrently, my personal life was dramatically changing during the same time. Our Lord Jesus has blessed me with these women, treasured friendships, joy and a sense of purpose in my life.
Congratulations and thank you to Teri Gordon and her new board as she assumes the role of President. She will be an outstanding leader for the NCBWL. I am so excited and grateful to the outstanding new team of ladies that have agreed to serve the next two-year term. I look forward to the installation of officers at our May 15 meeting. I’ll be forever grateful to each board member who is rotating off with me. We will all continue to support you going forward.
As the NCBWL celebrates its 70-year anniversary, we continue to promote our mission of empowering women in their faith and service as we promote and perpetuate Catholic Education in our three Nashville Catholic High Schools.
Highlights of our last two years:
• An ever-growing membership with lots of younger women who have joined us.
• With many thanks to Barbara Esteves-Moore, we launched a new website in early 2018. This has allowed for enhanced communications, social media promotions, online registration for meetings and events and numerous other updates and improvements.
• The outstanding leadership of the last two years of the Annual Luncheon, Auction and Fashion Show which have allowed us to award $12,000 to all three Catholic High Schools both years for a total of $72,000 awarded in two years. The research that has resulted in purchasing an online auction software will contribute to greater efficiency and higher revenues going forward. Too many people to thank in this area, you know who you are!
• We reinstated and enhanced the idea of a Business Expo in 2018. Under Dee Stoffer and Therese Anderson’s leadership, the successful event is becoming an annual event now. Amazing business networking opportunity for members and the Nashville Community.
• Our tradition of Christmas gift deliveries to the religious sisters at both the Sisters of Mercy Convent and the St. Cecilia Motherhouse continued as we all enjoyed these special visits.
• With the announcement of the Vanderbilt University Club closing, we evaluated options and moved our regular monthly meeting location to Richland Country Club effective 1-1-19.
• Our monthly program speakers have continued to inform and inspire us all. The schedule has been managed by Second VP, Lisa O’Neill Sullivan. Please make sure you have October 16, 2019 marked on your calendar when Bishop Mark Spalding will be our guest speaker. Plan now to invite friends as your guests.
With prayers for you as we approach Holy Week and the celebration of our Risen Jesus!
Debbie Lassiter
