Claudianna Todd, President
April Showers bring May flowers!
Happy Happy Spring to everyone.
We have had a wonderful year together. Our programs have been exceptional, attendance has been strong and the interest groups have provided additional opportunities for engaging members in both fun and educational times. Every member has been important and contributed to the wellbeing of the mission, the supportive and encouraging nature of all of our members. It has been a pleasure to work with the energetic and detailed minded members of the Executive Board – President Elect Marge Woodman; Treasurer Pat Leuschen; Recording Secretary Marge Boska; and Corresponding Secretary Sharon Mendlick. Elizabeth Rupp has a wonderfully fine-tuned system for communicating about our program and events and collecting and reporting the reservations. Her attention to detail is appreciated and a primary reason our attendance has been so strong. Dovetailing her fine reporting, Belinda Greiner and Joni Stinson have arranged the luncheons in the cafeteria and we look forward to the Spring Luncheon at the Renaissance Mansion. Phyllis Chapin has done a fantastic job with the newsletter adding the Recipe of the Month feature and moving us into the electronic media age. And, we had a very strong scholarship campaign, thanks to the responsive nature of the group and to the exceptionally creative and productive leadership of Linda Dobry and Peggy Shaffer. Our dedicated membership chair, Patty Sparks, has prepared the 2013-2014 Membership Drive notices and we look forward to your prompt responses. I hope you will join me in thanking these and all the Board members who have given their time and talents this year. It has been great to work with each and every one.
We are still moving forward and we some things to finish up. The upcoming events are as follows:
Wednesday, April 24 – Noon Luncheon and Election of Officers at UNMC Cafeteria with program provided by Scott Farrington, master gardener, Indian Creek Nursery.
Wednesday, May 22 – Spring Luncheon and Installation of Officers at Renaissance Mansion, 401 South 39th Street, with antique artifacts evaluated by Pat Pixley, curator of General Dodge House in Council Bluffs.
Notice: the Joint Board meeting is changed to June 12 at my house. If you are currently on the board, please begin to prepare your annual report to be turned in at the joint meeting. Please make two copies (one for the new president and one for the person assuming your position). More details will follow.
Lastly, we have been overjoyed with the enthusiasm shown by folk who have accepted new roles on the board for next year and we look forward to some new opinions and leadership from new members. We do have a crucial position open that needs consideration, President Elect. The beauty of this organization is the capable leaders guiding the committee productivity. I urge you to view this opening, not as a challenge, but an opportunity to walk with your peers through a wonderful year. It has been an honor and a pleasure to serve as your president and I look forward to serving in 2013-2014 with Marge Woodman, our upcoming president.
Claudianna Todd
President