E-mail:  yvonneal@pvnet.com.mx

You did it again--elected (re-elected) the same slate of officers from year May 2002-June 2003 for the coming year May 2003-June 2004.  President:  Al Ward, Vice President:  Leon Rolnick; Treasurer:  Allan Badner; Corresponding Secretary:  Kitty Leonard; Recording Secretary:  Sudy Coy; Past President:  Gale Hankel.  (We had such a good time last season we wanted to repeat.)

  It was also our pleasure to present an engraved glass plaque to our esteemed Past President, Gale Hankel for his 3-year sojourn as President.  He took on a difficult task and bore the pressures and stress, and, as always the fine gentlemen he is, never complained and was always there to tackle any problems that came the Club's way.   And he is still there for us willing to help and assist anytime he is asked.  Thank you, thank you, Gale.  Your guidance and presence is very important to us.  You merit kudos, Gale.

President, Al Ward presenting plaque to Past President Gale Hankel

  Colorful certificates of appreciation were also presented to our esteemed committee chair members for recognition of their continued dedication to the tasks necessary to accomplish our goals:  Community Service, Susan Davalos; Bar, Bud Palmer; Education, Jimmie Ellis; Facilities, Ted Will; Home Tours:  Acquisition; Susan Austin; Medical, Patricia Mendez; Membership, Yvonne Ward; Newsletter, John Powell; Publicity, Sally Steele; Social Hospitality, Marion Hansen; Telephone, Gila Badner.  Vital supporters of these groups:  Home Acquisition, John Hamlin; Docent Recruiting/Training, Bob Lilley, John Lockington, Medical, Donna Readerman, Joann Quickstad Cook Books, Pat and Dick Bendix.  Thank you for always being there for those of our community who need so much help.

In the meantime, our April meeting will be presented with our Treasurer, Allan Badner's, proposed Budget for the coming fiscal year, June 1, 2003 to May 31, 2004.  The members' feedback is very important and attendance at the meeting is likewise.  Your candid comments and suggestions are most welcome and vital in arriving at the approved budget for the year.

  One of our impending concerns regards the clubhouse (See Allan Badner's commentary on the subject).  We are forming a committee, headed by Irma Willis to review, study, investigate and search for a solution.  What are your thoughts and suggestions?    Do you know of any source that could use our facilities on a regular or occasional basis at a very reasonable cost?  Share your suggestions with us; we need your help!

  Another consideration for possible change is the start-up time for our monthly General Meeting.  Would an earlier time be more convenient?  Change the business meeting from the current 7:30 pm to 7:00 pm; and starting any potluck meeting at 6:00 pm with doors open at 5:30 pm? 

  Our goal is to tighten up the business meetings--to have committee reports kept precise and short, including any new and old business, thus allowing needed time for questions and comments from the floor. If we can accomplish this, then any speaker for the meeting will have sufficient time for his/her subject, but will also be allotted a number of minutes.  (Those members having further interest in a subject can remain to have their questions answered by the speaker.)

  One of our newest members, Norma Schuh, M.A. in Human Development, presented us with "Growing Older is Not for Sissies" Wednesday evening, March 19, to a very receptive audience.  Norma is a professional speaker and has a great sense of humor, as her subject matter implies.  We were gratified to see how many outsiders were in attendance.  We sincerely thank you, Norma, for sharing your knowledge with those of us who attended, and hope you will be available during the fall 2003/winter 2004 season to enlighten us again.   We promise even a greater audience.

  There are probably more members who could contribute topics of interest to the membership.  Though retired (or perhaps still actively in business) you could share experiences with us that would be valuable; both good things and bad (to be aware of).  You might also belong to other organizations and can tell us about activities you're involved with which we might then adapt to our group's efforts.  Let us hear from you; email me at your convenience--you have several months to think about this before our fall meetings begin.

  It is gratifying to see so many new faces at our functions this season.  Your recruiting of new members has been truly notable and we commend all of you members who are putting out the good word for the IFC.  Now all we need is more of you to get involved hands-on in our community work. 

Our first meeting for next season will likely be October 14, 2003 (for USA, the day after Columbus Day, and for Canadians the day after Thanksgiving Day).  God willing, and if the creek doesn't run dry, we'll see most of you back here at that time.