Inspiring Women SUMMER 2020

CORONAVIRUS – COVID-19 – PANDEMIC …
CONFINEMENT on MARCH 15 … FOR HOW LONG? As
a member of the AAWE in Paris, I wondered what
could be done through the club to help reassure
members and stay in touch during this disquieting
period. In the past, we made use of a Telephone Tree
as a means of keeping members up-to-date about
changes in meeting times and/or dates. Why not
make use of the telephone to contact current
members during the pandemic. With the AAWE
President Clara Siverson’s blessing and Membership
Mentor Beth Austin’s calling skills and organizational prowess, the CONFINEMENT TELEPHONE
TREE began.
With the help of several volunteer callers, we started connecting with our membership, both in
France and internationally, over 500 AAWErs, just after the confinement began. The calls were
easy to make, and the number of volunteer callers increased to include thirty of us. Some callers
chose to call members they knew, others chose to call seniors as often as possible, and some
purposefully chose members they didn’t know at all in order to create new connections. In all
cases, the chats served to brighten the receiver’s day; they were important in keeping spirits
high and raising morale.
One member told her caller, “It’s so wonderful you and the club are out there spreading human
warmth and comfort. Such things are our defenses, and I appreciate them very much.” Another
member confided, “We are doing ok with the confinement. I think for all of us we have good
days and harder days. I most likely had the virus right when the lockdown started but luckily it
was not so severe that I had to go to the hospital nor was I tested. If there is anything I or we
can do for you or anyone else, please let me know. If it would helpful if I called someone from
AAWE, please let me know. I would be happy to check in on someone.”
In addition, there was the harried mother of three who was contacted by a senior member and
happily discovered that, unbeknownst to her, she had an AAWE link right in her own
neighborhood. Or, there was the mother of two who confessed to her caller, “It’s just a little
hectic taking care of my three-year-old daughter and my five-month old son while my husband
continues to work from his office. We are hanging in there! Thanks for checking up on us.” An
81-year-old member said, “It is nice to be remembered at a time like this. My husband is gone
and my children are far, so I appreciate the attention.”
One of the callers reported, “It made my heart smile hearing their smile and pleasure in their
voices that we actually took out time to reach out and simply say, ‘How are you?” When asked
how the calling was going, another caller admitted, “I started phoning but haven’t finished yet
because it takes time and is too enjoyable to rush. I have had some wonderful visits with friends I
haven’t spoken to in a long time and other conversations with members I barely knew and
really enjoyed.”
When phone calls ended with an answering machine, we left
messages, sent e-mails and made callbacks until we had a
response. One international member wrote, “I really appreciate
your message. This is just another reason I love the AAWE. It’s a
group of exceptional women whose creativity and energy are
always put to work seeking to provide club members with
meaningful support and opportunities to grow.” How many
times did we hear, “Thank you so much for getting in touch. I
really appreciate it.” Or “What a wonderful initiative!”
As our confinement continues, it is important for all of us to
know that the AAWE Community is active, reaching out to and
supportive of all of its members.
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