National Conference Update
Well – what a weekend, what a way to celebrate a birthday and what a start to Carol’s Presidency.
Carol’s first role was to introduce her Executive Team that would be working by her side for the year:-
- Josie Blackburn – Immediate Past President
- Liz Clingo – Vice President
- Morag Daley – Secretary
- Karen Johnson – Treasurer
- Ruth Curry – Editor and Website Coordinator
- Viv Wyss – Executive Administrator
- Jo Hudson – Membership
Carol then went on to introduce her PLC Team behind the Magic:-
- Louise Saddler – Administrative Mastermind
- Shirley Chard – Location Scheduler
- Adrian Wakefield – Artistic Director
- Jenny Bevan – Dining Orchestrator
- Helen Hirst and Jackie Hampton – The Belles of the Ball
- Paul Hampton – The Whizz Behind the Website
- Liz Clingo – Storyteller Extraordinaire
- And…. “Every girl needs a Rod” – my trusted money man 😊
So now the excitement really begins By your Side.
As Carol introduced her chosen charity Alzheimer’s Society and explained in her own words:-
“So – why Alzheimer’s? I’m very fortunate that – so far – my family both close and extended, has not been touched by this dreadful condition and for that I am truly grateful.
But I also know that not everyone shares that good fortune. Too many of my friends or their families, directly and indirectly, have seen their lives turned upside down, often with devastating and lasting consequences. Friends in my own Tangent and 41 Clubs; on the Exec; my PLC; throughout this Association and 41 Club and the wider Round Table Family. These are not distant stories or abstract statistics. They are people I care about. This is personal. They are my friends. I want to make a difference, however small, to their lives.”
It was great to have Claire Frost, Regional Fundraiser, with us to give a deeper insight into what the society does – and what we can do for them.
We had a great kickstart to our fundraising by being able to open ‘The Shop’ on opening Thursday of Conference – and a very successful and busy weekend of sales followed, right through to Sunday morning! A flying start indeed.
So, let’s make this year a very exciting one for all and a big boost for the Alzheimer’s Society.
Have a great year Carol!