Message from the President: July 2007
President's Report
by Joan McIlmoyl Cleghorn
ell, the calendar says that summer is here... I'm not so sure anyone has told the weatherman though. With the coming of summer comes a slight slow down in our BB&C activities though not a complete stop. Some of our SIGs such as the Camera SIG and WebTools SIG continue during the summer while the Seniors' SIG takes a well-deserved break. Our regular Social and CAP sessions on Tuesdays, Saturdays and Sundays continue as usual. Regular courses are usually complete by the end of June however, this year, we're hoping to have some single-session or two-session workshops or seminars during the summer that will help add to your summer enjoyment.
A year ago, we were very concerned about our finances as there was a good possibility that the CAP (Community Access Program) funding would cease which it hasn't at this time though it has been reduced. As well, due to the loss of our Training Director, we hadn't had any courses for several months thus losing revenue from that source. Since that time, with much help from our members, we've increased our membership, held more courses, had donations at SIGs and to our most pleasant surprise, have received some wonderful donations from members who have chosen to be anonymous. One group of donations has been given to some of our SIG Leaders to be spent for the benefit of the SIG members while another is to the Club as a whole.
Another ongoing donation has been given to the President each year for several years now to be spent at the President's discretion. Last year I had planned to subsidize a training seminar for members of the Executive, however we weren't registered in time for the course. Since then, I decided to purchase a new coffee maker for the Clubhouse with last year's donation which will be resident at the Clubhouse on June 23.
I'd like to take this opportunity to thank these donors very much for their thoughtful donations and to thank all the members who have taken part in increasing our revenues whether by taking a course, making a small donation or encouraging someone new to join Big Blue & Cousins. All of these have helped immensely and are very much appreciated.
I'd also like to remind you all that next year (2008) will mark our 25th Anniversary and I am looking for suggestions on how you'd like to celebrate this special event. I've had several members come forward to join with me as an Anniversary Committee and we'll be making plans over the next several months. As I mentioned in my All Members message, I envision formal recognition of the milestone at the January 2008 AGM as well as some sort of public celebration that would also act as a publicity event.
All in all, we have exciting times ahead and I look forward to sharing them with you all!
