Daughters of the British Empire in Colorado

My name is Liz Raedeke, a member of Commonwealth Rose Chapter, and as of November 1, I have become State President of Colorado. I would like to thank outgoing President, Susanne Young, for her service and for her inspiring leadership over the past 18 months. Susanne has taken the National position of Western District Organizer (WDO) and as such is not permitted to hold a State position. We wish her all the very best as WDO and know that although Susanne can’t hold office in Colorado she will still be very involved in our State activities.

We are approaching the time of year when we are renewing our DBE membership. Belonging and community have never been more important than in this time of Covid 19. May I encourage you to renew your membership and be supportive of your fellow Chapter members. Growth is essential to any organization; this year has been challenging but we have grown, in part because we added the Mary Wollstonecraft Chapter in Colorado Springs. State Organizer, Lee Vos, has been working hard on opening another new Chapter in north-west Colorado, for the towns of Boulder, Niwot, Longmont, Loveland and Ft. Collins. I will do everything I can in support of Lee to make that a reality in 2021. 

On Saturday, I attended a 7 hour long Zoom National Council Meeting! We enjoyed a marketing presentation which emphasized that the way forward to grow membership is to be present on social media. I want to do everything in my power to understand what that means and to encourage use of social media in a safe, secure way that protects our space there. We are so incredibly fortunate to have Louise Churchill, Mary Wollstonecraft Chapter, as our State Correspondence and Communications Secretary. Louise is so knowledgeable in all aspects of social media and wants to share her knowledge with us, so please, take advantage of her and sign up for her classes, or ask her about Facebook, Insta-gram, Twitter, Pinterest and many more platforms that are out there. Louise is going to be talking to me a lot because I am not savvy in these areas but am determined to become so. I was encouraged to see that the National Corresponding and Communications Secretary, promoting this use, was a lady more in my age group (70+), or older. She was very competent and knowledgeable in the use of these tools.

So, Ladies, we have a few more months to endure this. Unfortunately, Covid 19 is on the rise again in Colorado and levels of infection are more than they were in March and April of this year. The ‘good’ news is that not so many people need hospitalization and we are seeing less death than in March and April. However, I urge you to continue to be careful, wear masks, avoid social gatherings – even though it means that Thanksgiving and Christmas will be different this year, if we continue to be vigilant we will overcome this scourge. Continue to be in virtual, or phone communication with your sisters in DBE. You are all special to us, and we look forward to being able to be together and yes, even hug, in the not too distant future. 

“Surely, in the light of history, it is more intelligent to hope rather than to fear; to try rather than not to try. For one thing we know beyond all doubt: Nothing has ever been achieved by the person who says, ‘it can’t be done.” 

Eleanor Roosevelt, 

With warm regards to you all,

Liz 

  We are excited to announce that our State Recipe Calendar is now available to purchase. The sale of this calendar is a part of our ongoing, fundraising efforts. All our members work on a voluntary basis, and 100% of the profits made, go to charities here in Colorado and to the British Home for the elderly in California. These calendars will make great Christmas gifts for those Anglophiles in your life and will put a smile on every Brit's face with all the recipes that remind us of home! Every recipe has been prepared and taste tested by a great group of ladies. Such sacrifice! LOL
We would encourage you to place your orders soon with your local regent, as there is a limited amount available or you can contact Liz at dbecalendarliz@gmail.com to place your order! Each Calendar is 12x24 when hung. Printed on quality glossy paper, the recipes and photos are at the top and the calendar at the bottom. The cost per calendar is $20 with additional shipping if needed.
Thank you so much for your continued support as we navigate our way though fundraising while social distancing.  

The Daughters of the British Empire (DBE) in Colorado is made up of women of British or Commonwealth of Nations background who are committed to friendship, charitable causes, and celebrating our shared heritage.  We meet on a regular basis forming life-long friendships while contributing to our local communities and national charities. 

Learn more about us.