OLLI PRESIDENT'S CORNER - About Us Continued
Thanks to all of you that have told me that this little column is working and helps with our efforts to communicate better. If I can keep you entertained week in and week out, maybe my life won’t be a complete disaster! Here, to start things off, is my favorite Voltaire quip: I have never made but one prayer to God, a very short one: 'O Lord, make my enemies ridiculous.' And God granted it.
Bonnie and I will be leaving for our annual retreat-ish week in western New York State, and then we’ll be driving up to Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario to see six plays at the Shaw Festival, arguably one of the two best theaters in North America (Stratford being the second). We’ll be gone Sept 2-13, back in time for the next Board meeting on the 14th and the Film Forum (can I call it that?) on the 16th.
More about our committees…
Membership and Publicity: Under Nancy Wasson’s very capable leadership, this group maintains a list of all members and works to recruit more. They may plan events to recruit members or host receptions and pre-term showcases to highlight terms and special events. They also work with other committees in the planning of brochures, publicity and outreach to promote OLLI in the community.
Social Events: Co-Chaired by Judy Minor and Janet Rogers, we are building a whole new committee this year because the retiring committee was simply burned-out. The committee plans and makes arrangements for receptions and the annual meeting. We have been hosting pre-term receptions in the Atrium of the Mountaineer Mall, but with no ready water source, kitchen, refrigeration, etc. available, imagine how tough it is to make a success of these important events and yet, they do it. If YOU enjoy decorating, making parties come alive, and deciding between cookies and baklava, please join Judy and Janet SOON!
Nominating: Chair Ann Davidson works diligently with the Membership Committee to identify and propose a slate of candidates for members and/or officers of the Board of Directors. Sounds easy, but it is NOT. Remember what I’ve said about volunteering? Well, Ann has made I clear that finding willing volunteers for these posts is extremely time-consuming and often frustrating. Please…let’s help make Ann and the Committee happy this year!
Next week: Office Assistants, Facilities and Technical and History Committees.
Jim Held, President