UIU Dallas January 2023 Newsletter

January 2023

Newsletter

DALLAS

Presidential Address

PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS

Ndewo, Friends of UIU Dallas!

As we kick off the new year, I want to take a moment to reflect on all we have accomplished together as an organization. 2022 was a special year for UIU Dallas. Together, we built a family-like community, preserved our culture, and found ways to support the well-being and advancement of our members, the DFW community and our family in Igboland. I am so proud of the work we have done and the progress we have made.

In the new year, I am confident that we will continue making a positive impact. I have total faith in the new executive board and I am excited to see what we will achieve together. Above all, we are looking forward to the incredible opportunity to serve you.

This year the Vision of UIU Dallas is to Elevate Igbo Excellence through Culture, Connections, and Charity (The 3 C’s):

Culture – Allow members to grow a deeper connection to their Igbo identity and expand their Igbo awareness by teaching different aspects of Igbo culture and traditions.
Connections – Cultivate an intimate atmosphere where members are encouraged to acquire deeper and authentic relationships with one another.
Charity – Provide personal support and access to resources by offering face-to-face service to the DFW community, and providing valuable resources to our family in Igboland.

Prepare yourself for an immersive member experience of the 3 C’s. You are in for a treat! I will never get tired of saying that member participation is what makes UIU Dallas strong. YOU are what brings our vision to life. This year our vision will make our chapter’s bond even stronger. We will provide opportunities for you to consciously build an infallible network of like minded Igbo professionals, develop a deeper understanding of our beautiful culture, and make a personal impression on the communities we serve.

I encourage you to continue spreading the word about our amazing chapter. There are still plenty of Ndi Igbo people in the community that can benefit from joining our family. “Ndị okenye chọkwara obodo nta, ọ bụghị naanị ụmụaka” (adults need villages too, not just children). Let’s continue working together to help our chapter grow!

I wish you a happy and prosperous new year. May this year bring you health, happiness, and success. You deserve it.

All my best,

Yvonne Igodan

UIU Dallas Chapter President

UPCOMING EVENTS

Get directions here

Purchase Your Ticket!

Get directions here

MEMBERS CORNER

to our january CELEBRANTS

1/1 Adaora Okafor

1/5 Chidinma Okehi

1/6 Francis Elesia

1/8 Annette Nwabeke

1/8 Ogo Obinabo

1/9 Chikezie Anamege

1/9 Mary Akpala

1/10 Victor Okoye

1/15 Arthur Oniah

1/15 Gerald Onyekonwu

1/20 Chinonyerem Oguguo

1/21 Nkem Nwankwo

1/24 Ifeanyichukwu Ifeagwu

1/31 Yannick Obara

MEMBERSHIp

RAFFLE

To earn the chance to win any of the giveaways below, UIU Dallas members need to recruit people to join UIU Dallas as an annual member and notify any of the UIU Dallas board members.

● Free convention ticket (we will give you a full refund of your ticket)

● 2 Free entries to all post convention chapter events (excluding gala)

● 2 Free gala tickets (we will give you a full refund of your ticket)

● Free highlife ticket (we will give you a full refund of your ticket)

***The first 5 members to public events will receive a freebie raffle entry***

Drawing for the winners will take place at the July General Body Meeting!

2023 Welcoming Committee

Committee Chairs from left to right: Zikora Udenze, Kosy Mora, Ify Mora, Anderson Iwuanyanwu

Do you want a hand in welcoming new members to UIU Dallas?

Take a seat on this quarters

Welcoming Committee!

Committee members have the responsibility of seeking out new faces at events, and have the opportunity to be paired with a new member to help them get acclimated to our chapter.

Connect with Nneka Ichu (Provost) if you have questions.

MemberSHIP

directory

We want to learn more about you!

Our Member Directory Survey will help us gather details about our general body. From your general interests to the businesses you would like others to be directed to, we want our membership to know who you are. We are aiming for 100% member participation so please complete the survey by February 2023.

Click here to join the directory!

Please connect with Chinyere Onyirimba (Professional Development Chair) for more information.

QUARTER FOR CAUSE

Empowering Our Youth

Each quarter we will be focusing on a cause that affects our community here in Dallas or back home in Igboland.

For the first Quarter for Cause, we will be focusing on “Empowering our Youth”. The Dallas Independent School District is “one of the nation’s fastest-improving school districts”, serving over 153,861 students in 230 schools. Unfortunately, in the past 5 years, fifty-eight percent of Texas third graders are not reading at grade level. Students who do not read on grade level by third grade are four times less likely to graduate high school. By working with organizations in the DFW area we can help to empower the youth in the community through education.

To go along with this quarter’s theme, for the month of January, we will be partnering with the organization “Readers 2 Leaders”. Readers 2 Leaders is a literacy organization serving Dallas kindergarten and elementary students. They focus on reaching students in the early elementary years who don’t have access to other resources due to economic inequality and systemic racism. On Thursday, January 19th from 3:30-5:30pm we will be assisting in their After-School Reading Program. Click Here for more information or to sign-up to volunteer.

Please connect with Angela Agogo (Community Service Chair) if you have questions.