In Friendship and Fun
Queen Debbie of the Lake

In Friendship and Fun
Queen Debbie of the Lake

“GOING FOR THE GOLD”-RED HAT SOCIETY-OLYMPIC CRUISE—2010

The Vancouver Violets cordially invite Red Hat Society ladies to join them onboard the Royal Caribbean’s “Jewel of the Seas”—a first class luxury ship for a 10 day Caribbean/Panama Cruise.

This spectacular 10 day sailing starts on April 16, 2010 in Miami and visits such ports as –Labadee Haiti, Cartagena Columbia, Colon Panama, Limon Costa Rica and George Town Grand Cayman.

Rates for an inside stateroom start at $949.00 Canadian plus taxes.

Rates for an outside stateroom start at $1170. 00 Canadian plus taxes.

Rates for a Balcony start at $1603.00 Canadian plus taxes.

There are many Red Hat activities, fun and games planned such as “the biggest hat on the high seas,” who can float the longest on their inner tube in the pool and many more.

In Friendship and Fun
Queen Debbie of the Lake

* All I can say about the minivention is WOW! We missed those of you who could not attend and you missed a great time. From beginning to end everyone really enjoyed it. We had a small group. Only 43 registered and with illnesses and personal issues, in the end we had a group of 40. While many were disappointed in the small number, it gave us all a good chance to get to know each other. The food was amazing and the service at the hotel was excellent so we could concentrate on enjoying ourselves.
We began at 2 p.m. Saturday with sign in, a small craft fair, and a mouth watering selection of desserts to enjoy as we met and greeted old friends and new. Our craft fair was a mixed success. Everyone commented on the quality and variety of items for sale but because of the small number of registrants sales were not overwhelming. We had five of our own members and three from out of town who brought their crafts. Many, many thanks to those of our members who brought theirs. At the same time theme hats were on view so that everyone could try to match them to the names of their chapters.
Then we took a break to allow hotel staff to set up for dinner. During this time the models from the various chapters were fitted for our fun fashion show. What a laugh we all had.
Our dinner was a sumptuous buffet featuring salmon in dill sauce, roast beef, vegetarian lasagna, and all the trimmings. There were even a few desserts left from the afternoon for anyone whose sweet tooth had not been satisfied.
Following dinner we had a great evening’s entertainment starting with Good Fortune, under the direction of Suzanne McIntosh. This was followed by much hilarity as our models showed off the finery we had created for them. Then we had Other Mothers’ Sons and the Rogue Apples to round out our program.
The evening wasn’t over, though, as those who still had a little steam left congregated in Betty Boop’s and my hotel room for After Hours. We shared some wine, some munchies, an a lot more laughs.
Sunday morning saw the early birds back downstairs for coffee and tea. The rest of us joined them a little later for another wonderful buffet meal. After breakfast each chapter had one of its members model the theme hat they had created and the models told us how and why they had designed their hats as they did. Everyone voted to pick the one that best illustrated the name of the chapter, the most elegant, the most original, and the most amusing.
While the votes were being counted door prizes were given out. Because of the small number of registrants, the generosity of some of our members, and the hard work of our Vice Queen Balistic Brenda who volunteered to approach various businesses, we were able to give a prize to every lady present.
Then it was time to say goodbye to everyone, tidy up, and congratulate ourselves on a wonderful event.
We’ve had lots of feedback and encouragement to do it again in two years’ time.
I would like to personally thank every member who helped make this such a great success.

* Here are a couple of items I’ve mentioned before but they’re worth repeating:
- Last year’s July 1 parade in Keewatin was such a success that they’re planning another for this year and we’re invited to take part again. It’s a lot of fun and no one has to walk to take part. We were provided with a trailer last year and were helped onto and off of it by handsome young men. All along the parade route we heard, “Look, there are the Red Hatters!”, “Love your hats!” and lots of other accolades. What could be more fun? I’ll have more information about it as the date gets closer.
- We’ve been invited by the Quarry Quties to a Red Hat Hootenany in Stonewall, Manitoba on Sat., Oct. 3 from 1 to 6 p.m. The cost is $25 per person and includes snacks throughout the day, games & entertainment, and supper. The RSVP date for this is Aug. 31 so we have lots of time to think about it. I’ll bring a copy of their registration form to our May Affairre!
- I mentioned the following in our February and March newsletters and then forgot to bring it up at subsequent Affairre!s, so I’d appreciate it if someone will remind me to do so this month. I think the city’s Christmas tree looks great with the bows we donated a couple of years ago but there are only enough to cover one side of it. Maybe this year we can give some more to make sure the tree looks magnificent instead of just great. What do you think? Since I first mentioned this, I have been contacted by someone at City Hall requesting more bows and they’d like as many of us as possible to attend the tree lighting ceremony so that we can be thanked.
* I think that’s it for now, ladies. If I’ve forgotten anything, please let me know.
* See you all on the 9th!

In Friendship and Fun
Queen Debbie of the Lake

Hello Ladies,

*           Yes, it really is spring, despite the snowfall we had a few days ago.  And, no, I haven’t confused my dates.  I know it’s still March and this newsletter says April.  That’s because I’m trying to get our newsletters done two weeks before our Affairre!s so that the ladies who get theirs in the mail will have them in good time.

*           Many thanks to our March hostesses, Norman Joy, Jovial June and The Red Maple for our fun St. Patrick’s party.  It was a new experience to sit around one table that was wide enough for everyone to see each other.

*           Our April hostesses are The Glad Hatter, The Cambrian Cutie, and Gracious Gwen, are busy planning something special for us on Saturday, April 11.  I don’t have the details get but they should be available soon.    

*           We have all the characters for our murder Mystery Party (at my house Friday, April 3).  However, if anyone else would like to come for the pot luck supper and watch the game, they’re welcome to do so.  They’ll get a chance to ask some questions during the game and to say at the end who they think the murderer is.  If you’d like to come, please let me know by Wed., Apr. 1 so that I’ll know how many to set up for.

*           This month’s birthday girls are Diamond Lil, Fabulous Fran, Barbie Doll, and Unique Una.  Remember – if your birthday is not on our list please be sure to let me know so that I can include it in your month.

*           Plans are going well for our upcoming minivention April 25-26.  You still have a week to register and if you do so, we have a few craft tables available, too.  This is going to be a really fun event and having it here in Kenora means you don’t have to pay for a hotel room unless you want to.  There are a few of us doing so, though, as we know conventions like this are too good to take a chance on missing any of the fun.  Please note that we’ve decided to have a small silent auction to help cover the cost of entertainment, etc.  If you have an unused item that you would like to donate for this or as a door prize, please let me know by Apr. 11.   

*           Here are a couple of items I’ve mentioned before but they’re worth repeating:

                        - Last year’s July 1 parade in Keewatin was such a success that they’re planning another for this year and we’re invited to take part again.  It’s a lot of fun and no one has to walk to take part.  We were provided with a trailer last year and were helped onto and off of it by handsome young men.  All along the parade route we heard, “Look, there are the Red Hatters!”, “Love your hats!” and lots of other accolades.  What could be more fun?  I’ll have more information about it as the date gets closer.

                        - We’ve been invited by the Quarry Quties to a Red Hat Hootenany in Stonewall, Manitoba on Sat., Oct. 3 from 1 to 6 p.m.  The cost is $25 per person and includes snacks throughout the day, games & entertainment, and supper.  The RSVP date for this is Aug. 31 so we have lots of time to think about it.  I’ll bring a copy of their registration form to our April Affairre!

                        - I mentioned the following in our last newsletter and then forgot to bring it up at our March Affairre! so I’d appreciate it if someone will remind me to do so in April.  I think the city’s Christmas tree looks great with the bows we donated a couple of years ago but there are only enough to cover one side of it.  Maybe this year we can give some more to make sure the tree looks magnificent instead of just great.  What do you think?

*           See you all on the 11^th!

In Friendship and Fun

Queen Debbie of the Lake

Hello Ladies,

*           Wow!  It’s already time to turn our clocks ahead (March 8th) for Daylight Savings Time. Does this mean spring is almost here?

*           Many thanks to our February hostesses, Red Hats’ Aud Maude and The Princess of Note for our Anniversary Affairre!  It was great to have so many join the celebration and welcome Ballistic Brenda as our new Vice Queen.

*           Our March hostesses, Norman Joy (Joyce Chevrier), Jovial June (Nolan), and The Red Maple are busy planning a fun Affairre! for us on Saturday, March 14 beginning at 12:00 p.m. at Days Inn.  Please RSVP by Thursday, March 12 to give them lots of time to prepare for us.  We will be ordering from the menu this month.    

*           This month we’re having an Extra Affairre!  By popular demand we’re gong to have another murder Mystery Party at my house Friday, March 27.  The evening will begin with a pot luck supper.  I need to know by March 14 if you plan to attend so that I have time to let you know what your identity will be for the evening and a little about the mystery and costume suggestions.  Please keep in mind that the murder mystery games I have were all written for mixed parties so if you really don’t want to play a male role you should tell me that when you RSVP.  The games are written for 8 players but extras can be added.  If we have enough for 2 or 3 groups it will be even more fun.

*           This month’s birthday girls are Princess Patricia, Vice Queen Ballistic Brenda, and me!  My apologies to last month’s birthday girls.  They were The Red Hatter and Artistic Shirley.  Remember – if your birthday is not on our list please be sure to let me know so that I can include it in your month.

*           Plans are going well for our upcoming minivention April 25-26.  Registrations are due by March 16.  We still have a few craft tables available.  So far we have Red Hatters coming from Thunder Bay, Atikokan, Fort Frances, Winnipeg, and several other places.  Don’t miss the opportunity to meet these ladies and share a fun weekend with them.  I’ll have more registration forms at our next Affairre! but if you can get yours in sooner it will really help.  A couple of you have asked about the meals.  We’ll be having buffets for both dinner and breakfast so there will be lots of choices.

*           Last year’s July 1 parade in Keewatin was such a success that they’re planning another for this year and we’re invited to take part again.  It’s a lot of fun and no one has to walk to take part.  We were provided with a trailer last year and were helped onto and off of it by handsome young men.  All along the parade route we heard, “Look, there are the Red Hatters!”, “Love your hats!” and lots of other accolades.  What could be more fun?  I’ll have more information about it as the date gets closer.

*           There’s something else I’ve forgotten to bring up at our last three Affairre!s.  I think the city’s Christmas tree looks great with the bows we donated a couple of years ago but there are only enough to cover one side of it.  Maybe this year we can give some more to make sure the tree looks magnificent instead of just great.  What do you think?

*           See you all on the 14^th!

In Friendship and Fun

Queen Debbie of the Lake

Registrations must be received by March 16.  Space is limited to 200 so be sure to register early and avoid disappointment. 

The cost will be $75 per person.  This is non refundable but if anyone registers and then finds she can’t attend she is welcome to have someone else come in her place. 

This event will take place at the Best Western Lakeside Inn in Kenora, Ontario, Canada.

There is a large block of rooms set aside for Saturday night and some for Friday as well for those who wish to come early and attend the Home Show.  It is wise to reserve early.  You can do so by calling 1-800-465-1120 and quote “4786 Red Hat Celebration”.

Rooms are $114 + tax.  Each room has either 2 double beds or 2 queen sized beds.  The hotel has only 11 cots but these can be rented for $10 + tax per night.  There is no extra charge per person but if you wish a view of the lake it costs an extra $20 + tax.

A really great coincidence is that Kenora’s Home Show will be on that weekend, too, right across the street from the Best Western.  Some ladies might like to come early or stay on Sunday afternoon to take in this event as well.

Every chapter attending is asked to design and make a special hat to illustrate the name of their chapter.  Please see the guidelines for this below.  These hats will be used for a contest on Saturday and judged on Sunday.

Each chapter is also asked to nominate one of their members as a model for our fashion show.  There are no age, size, or shape qualifications for this, just a great attitude and sense of fun.  Individual members are welcome to model, too.

Please note that this is a special event to celebrate the anniversary of the beginning of the Red Hat Society and all ladies attending will be required to wear official Red Hat attire.  To quote Sue Ellen Cooper in an issue of “Red Hatter Matters” last spring.  In answer to the question, “Do I really have to wear a Red or Pink Hat and colours to every event?” she answered,

“Every RHS member is expected to wear her colours at all official events: purple with a red hat for those who have achieved 50 years or more and lavender with a pink hat for those ladies-in-waiting under 50. Any shade of “our” colours is fine.   No uniforms here.. ..no way!”

A few members say they find any hat uncomfortable and the best answer is, “As long as you have red on your head it counts,” meaning a red bow or some red feathers pinned in your hair is just fine.

And, of course, we can, if we wish, reverse our colours in our birthday month.

Here’s the schedule for our celebration

1)  We’ll begin at 2 p.m. with our Red Hat Craft Fair.  Many Red Hatters are crafters and most of them enjoy making items of interest to other Red Hatters.  Any participants who are crafters are invited to bring their crafts to sell at our fair.  If you’d like to do so, simply read the conditions for doing so on the registration form and sign to show that you accept them.

2)  Crafters will be asked to pack up at about 4:30 p.m.  Then there will be a break until dinner so that everyone can either relax or visit with new and old friends.  During this time there will be a special contest running.

3)  At 6 p.m. we will gather for our Banquet and an evening of entertainment.  This will not be a lengthy program so those who like to retire early may do so and the rest of us can continue to visit.

(A cash bar will be available Saturday afternoon and evening.)

4)  At 9 a.m. Sunday morning, we will gather again for our Pyjama Breakfast and another short program before everyone heads for home.

We look forward to seeing many old friends and making many new ones at this special celebration.

 Guidelines for Chapter Hat

1) The hat must, of course, be red and must be decorated primarily in red and/or purple.

2) None of the following may appear on the hat:  chapter name, chapter location, names or pictures of any chapter members.

3) The hat must be delivered to the hostesses at the beginning of the minivention well wrapped so that no one can see any of its details.  If possible its size should be camouflaged as well.  Please be sure there’s a note inside the package telling which chapter it belongs to.

4) Only the members of your chapter should know which hat is yours and they must not tell anyone else.

5) Prizes will be awarded in several categories including best depiction of chapter name, most elegant, most casual, etc.

Craft Fair Conditions

Each participating crafter must agree to the following conditions:

1) There will be no fee for taking part in this fair.  However, each participating crafter is required to supply a door prize of her own making, minimum value $10.  Please note that this is one prize from each crafter, not from each table.

2) Each participating crafter should arrive early enough to have her wares displayed and ready for sale by 2 p.m. Sat., Apr. 25.

3) Each crafter will be provided with half of an 8-foot table to display her wares.  This space may be shared by not more than 2 crafters.  However, if 4 or more members of a chapter wish to exhibit their crafts together, a full table will be provided. 

4) Each crafter may display and sell only her own work.  No sales for companies such as Pampered Chef, Avon, etc. will be allowed.

5). A minimum of 50% of each crafter’s merchandise must be in some way related to Red Hatting.  (This can be as simple as making sure items are red and/or purple.)

6) The Best Western Hotel, its staff, and the hostesses take no responsibility for missing or damaged merchandise. 

For more information about this event,

email kenoraredhatters@yahoo.ca

Hello Ladies,

*           Hearts and flowers to all this first day of February.

*           Many thanks to our January hostesses, Betty Boop and Ballistic Brenda for our January Affairre!  What a great way to start the New Year.

*           This month is very special as we celebrate the 6^th anniversary of our first get together.  How many of you can remember it?  About 27 ladies gathered in the Waterside Restarurant at the Best Western Lakeside in for an inaugural tea party and, as they say, the rest is history.  If anyone has any pictures of that occasion, it would be a great idea to bring them this month.  This is also a special month as we will be inducting our Vice Queen, Ballistic Brenda.  Like mine, hers will be an honorary title signifying no special rights or responsibilities but it will be fun.

*           Our February hostesses, Red Hats’ Aud Maude and The Princess of Note, are busy planning a fun Affairre! for us on Saturday, January 13 beginning at 12:00 p.m. in the Board Room at the Travelodge.  Please RSVP by Tuesday, February 10 to give them lots of time to prepare for us.  We will be ordering from the menu this month.    

*           Our Hostess List is now filled for the year as follows:  January – Ballistic Brenda & Betty Boop; February – The Princess of Note & Red Hats’ Aud Maude; March – Norman Joy, Jovial June, & The Red Maple; April – The Cambrian Cutie & The Glad Hatter; May – Princess Patricia, Lady Donna of the Court & Fabulous Fran; June – Darlin’ Darlene & The Lady of Round Lake; July – Queen Debbie of the Lake & Diamond Lil; August – Shotgun Annie & Barbie Doll; September – Artistic Shirley & Lady Di; October – Perfect Peg, Good Night Irene & The Islander Duchess; November – The Red Hatter, Awesome Audrey & Lady Barbara of Keewatin; December – Ballistic Brenda, Betty Boop & Queen Debbie of the Lake.  It’s nice to see a few new combinations this year.  Planning with someone different is a great way to get to know each other better.

*           This month birthday greetings go to The Glad Hatter.  Remember, if your birthday is not on our list please be sure to let me know so that I can include it in your month.

*           Something was brought to my attention recently that I feel we should all think about.  Sometimes all but one lady at a table have a long history together and naturally they get into lively discussions about people and events she knows nothing about.  Since she can’t contribute to the conversation, she feels quite left out.  As a relative newcomer to Kenora I have been in this situation a few times but didn’t realize how many others also experience it.  I have no trouble “putting my two cents’ worth in” but not everyone is comfortable doing so.  It’s possible that’s why some ladies have come only once or twice and then dropped out.  Please remember to include everyone in the conversation at your table.  If you notice that someone isn’t taking part, perhaps it’s time to change the subject or ask her what she thinks about something.  You’ll soon discover that she, too, is a very interesting and fun person.

*           Plans are going well for our upcoming minivention.  I have included all the information below and will have registration forms at our next two Affairre!s.

*           We have received invitations from two Manitoba chapters – one to go on an Alaska cruise and the other for a Hoot in the fall.  I’ve attached both of these to the email and will bring a copy of each to our next Affairre!

*          See you all on the 14^th!

Queen Debbie of the Lake

Hello Ladies,

*           Happy New Year everyone.  I know it’s going to be a great year.

*           Many thanks to our November hostesses, Lady Di and Artistic Shirley for our great Christmas Affairre!  They really put on quite an event for us and I know everyone enjoyed it.

*           Our January hostesses, Betty Boop and Ballistic Brenda are busy planning a fun New Year’s Affairre! for us on Saturday, January 13 beginning at 12:30 p.m. at Ho Ho Restaurant.  Please RSVP by Thursday, January 8 to give them lots of time to prepare for us.  We will be ordering from the menu so those who don’t like or can’t eat Chinese food will be able to order western food instead.    

*           Our Hostess List will be circulated again this month and then a draw will be held if any months have not been filled. 

*           Last month I forgot to include the birthday girl, Trucia of Locke Bay but we all enjoyed singing Happy Birthday to her and hope she could hear us in Texas!  This month’s birthday girl is Peachie.  If your birthday is not on our list please be sure to let me know so that I can include it in your month.

*           Congratulations to Perfect Peg who won our sweet singing bear.  Watch for details of our next raffle soon.

*           Ladies I really appreciate the response to last month’s newsletter.  I know for some the changes in membership fees for our chapter came as a surprise and, as I suspected, there were quite a few who opted not to be an official member of our chapter by paying dues.  However, I know that all of you who are truly enjoying our fun times together understand the need for this and I find your support very encouraging.  There were a few disappointments, though, but I made sure everyone got the news letter and sent a couple of reminders, so there is really nothing more I can do.   These ladies are always welcome to change their minds or to attend our Affairre!s as guests but they are no longer on the contact list and will not receive any chapter communications. 

            We now have 34 members on our official list.  Please replace your old list with this one.  A copy of it will be in the back of the Hostess Book and in our Event Sign In Book.  If you are an email buddy, please give your buddy a printed copy of this list for her records.

            Beginning this month, those who paid the mailing fee will receive a monthly mailing including our chapter newsletter and copies of the Friday Broadcasts for the previous month along with any other emails of interest from the Red Hat Society.  This month they will also receive a copy of the membership list.

*           Well, ladies, this is a rather short newsletter but I’m sure I’ll think of something the minute after I send it!

*           See you all on the 10^th!

In Friendship and Fun

Queen Debbie of the Lake

*              It’s December already – time to prepare for Christmas and look forward to the coming year and our chapter’s sixth anniversary.  As a historical note, although we had our first Affairre! in February, 2003, our chapter was actually registered on January 8 of that year.

*              This is a very important newsletter so in addition to posting in on our blog (kenoraredhatters.wordpress.com) I am also emailing it to those who have internet access and mailing it to everyone else who has been active in our chapter in the last year.

*              Many thanks to our November hostesses, Awesome Audrey, Lady Barbara of Keewatin, and The Red Hatter for another great Affairre!  No matter where we go, what we do, or how many attend, we always have a good time, don’t we?

Our December hostesses, Lady Di (Diane Paroby) and Artistic Shirley (Quinton), are busy planning a fun Christmas Affairre! for us on Saturday, December 13 beginning at 12:30 p.m. at the Log Cabin Restaurant.  Since neither of this month’s hostesses have internet access, please phone them to let them know you’ll be coming.  They haven’t given me an RSVP date but you should call as soon as possible and at least two days in advance. 

                If you wish to participate in the gift exchange, please bring a wrapped, unlabelled gift.  It should have a value of $5 or less and be something related to Red Hatting and/or Christmas.  Please put a note inside it to say who it’s from.  If you have a Secret Friend this is a great opportunity to give her a gift, too, but please mark her name on it clearly and don’t mix it in with the exchange gifts.  (I’ve heard a rumour that Santa may pay us a visit again, too, so be sure to have your list ready for him.) 

                Don’t forget this will be the last opportunity to buy tickets on the singing bear which we will draw for that day.  Proceeds will go into our Fun Fund which, after our wonderful trip to Winnipeg last week, is very low. 

*              Our Hostess List will be circulated again this month and next and then a draw will be held if any months have not been filled. 

I know everyone had a great time on our trip last week and hope it won’t take three years to raise enough for our next adventure.  It’s a shame several ladies had to miss this because of back problems, etc., so let’s think of something fun we can bring here so everyone can enjoy it next time.  I have a couple of ideas but I’d like to hear yours first.

*              Red Hatting is an important, exciting part of my life and it’s such a privilege to share it with so many wonderful, fun friends.  There are many of you I would probably not have met any other way and what a shame it would be not to know you.

                This fall I’ve had the great opportunity to attend two Queens’ Councils – first at the convention in Thunder Bay and then at the Royal Affairre! I hosted in October.  What a great experience to find out about other chapters and share information.    As a result of these conferences and in light of the news of the International Red Hat Society’s financial troubles, I’ve had lots to think about.

                We’ve all heard, many times, the old adage, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”, and our chapter is flourishing.  However, there’s also the saying, “A stitch in time saves nine”, and there’s a general feeling that if the RHS had practiced some “preventive medicine” it wouldn’t be in such trouble.

                I’ve been giving a lot of thought to our chapter and informally surveyed a few of our members.  While there is very little I’d want to change about it there are two areas that need attention.  I really cherish the informality of Red Hatting and have tried to preserve it by making sure each of us has as few responsibilities as possible.  However, there are some things that just don’t work that way.

*              To begin with, I’ve just paid our chapter dues to the RHS.  With all its talk of reassessment and restructuring, I was very surprised they were not increased – still $39 US which, at the current rate of exchange, was $51.39 CAN. 

                In the past I’ve collected for this by “passing the hat“, sometimes at two or even three Affairre!s until we had enough to cover it.  This was fun at first and a good way to avoid bookkeeping.  Each year, though, it seems a little harder to collect this very small amount of money.  Since this happens during the winter, the ladies who go south for the winter have expressed concern that they didn’t get a chance to contribute but since we’ve never kept any books, this would be difficult to work out.  At the other extreme, it saddens me that there are a number of members who make a point of not contributing.  This was really noticeable at our Anniversary Affairre! in February.  Each one present was asked to contribute $2 for dues and if everyone had done so there would have been enough to pay them in full, especially as Canadian money was almost at par with US money at the time.  However, as some did not contribute and some put in only $1, it was necessary to collect again the next month to make up the difference. 

                When our chapter was formed I paid the first year’s dues and since then have paid for things like tip hats, name tags, occasional long distance calls, some postage, etc.  It doesn’t sound like much but it adds up.  I’ve always been happy to do this and wouldn’t even bring it up but the plain, simple truth is that I can’t afford to do it any more. 

                One question on the registration form for the in October was about dues paid by members of the various chapters and what this money is used for.  Only two other chapters reported collecting just enough for RHS dues as we do, but they also collect throughout the year as expenses arise.  The rest collect up to $25 per member.  (I’ve heard of lots of chapters that collect much more that that, too.)  One chapter’s members pay enough to cover the cost of their Christmas party.  Members of another pay enough to send their QM to conventions, etc.  I can’t imagine including things like that in our chapter dues but I do need to collect enough to cover expenses and I think it only fair that every member pay equally.  Most chapters, I find, collect $10 per year from each member.

                I don’t think we need that much so I will be collecting $5 per member by the end of December.  Anyone who will not be attending the Christmas Affairre! can drop it off at my home or mail a cheque to me.  I will keep a close account through the year of how this is spent and will issue a report when membership fees are due again.  Any money left over at that time will go into our Fun Fund.  Beginning in January our Contact List will include only the names of paid members. 

                Those who choose not to pay will always be welcome as guests at our Affairre!s but will not receive monthly newsletters, invitations, etc.  They can still access the newsletter online for information but they won’t get reminders when it is published.   Also, keep in mind that chapters that plan invitational events such as conventions, luncheons, etc., will accept registrations only from registered individual members of the RHS and members of registered chapters.  This will apply to our upcoming minivention in April, too.  Non members will be welcome to participate in chapter events such as our recent trip to Winnipeg if there is space but they will have to pay full price.

                If any of you are interested in supporting the RHS by purchasing a Supporting Membership for $20 US per year you can find information about this at www.redhatsociety.com.  If you don’t have internet access, please ask me or someone else who does to help you with this.

*              The other area that needs attention is communication.  Since we began our chapter our newsletter has been easily available for members who have internet access.  This is now done by means of a blog for two reasons.  The main one is that a number of you tell me you don’t remember what was in the newsletter because you or someone you share your computer with deleted it as soon as you read it.  The other reason is that not everyone uses the same computer programs and some couldn’t open the printable attachment I used to send.  By using a blog the newsletter is always there to be reread.  Some had trouble with this when I used the Yahoo service so I switched to WordPress which is much more user friendly.  You`ll find several back issues of the newsletter there as well.

                For those who don’t have email access, we’ve tried to maintain an email buddy system but results have varied widely.  Some conscientiously print and deliver or mail newsletters, etc., but others rarely print these things out and sometimes forget to pass on information or to make arrangements for someone else to do so if they’re going away.  Email buddies were never asked to pass on the Friday Broadcast from RHS Hatquarters so only those with internet access can read them.  I know that some members who get information from an email buddy contribute to the cost of printing and postage but I`m not sure how many.

                Those who don’t have email buddies have been asked to provide a year’s worth of stamped, addressed envelopes but few do this and those who do give me only a few at a time.  They often need several reminders when these run out, meaning they miss a few newsletters. I`m happy to print and mail newsletters but need to be able to organize this on a yearly basis. 

                We’ve asked that hostesses call anyone on the list who doesn’t have email or a buddy but not all of them remember to do this and often if I meet someone who hasn’t attended for awhile she tells me it’s because she doesn’t get any information.. 

                We really appreciate the dedication of our email buddies but it’s time to give them a break by making some changes so that everyone has equal access to information.  We still need them to pass on invitations and the hostesses to call those who don’t have a buddy but distribution of newsletters is going to change as follows.

                In addition to dues, I will be collecting a mailing fee of $10 per year (which works out to $ .83 per month) from members who don’t have email access.  Close to $7 of this will be for postage and the rest for paper, envelopes, printer ink, etc.  This is also due by the end of December.  Again, I will keep a close account of how this is spent and issue a report when fees are due again.  You can, of course, choose to pay just your membership and forego the mailing fee but this will mean that you will not get any information about our chapter or the RHS except for invitations passed on by your email buddy or directly from our hostesses. 

                Those who pay this amount will receive a monthly mailing including our newsletter and copies of the Friday Broadcasts for the month and any other pertinent information.  If anyone who has email access would rather pay this amount to receive information through the mail I will be happy to do this for her.

 *              I know these may seem like major changes to some but I’m sure you’ll agree that they are necessary to help our chapter continue to flourish.  If you have any questions or comments about them, please call or email me.

*              That’s about it for now ladies.  See you on the 13^th!

In Friendship and Fun

Queen Debbie of the Lake