President’s Column — November, 2009

Coming up: BATW 2010 Board of Directors Nominations and Membership Renewals.

Over 65 BATW members enjoyed an excellent Associates meeting, our second event of this kind, on October 17. Terrific camaraderie, invaluable sharing of ideas and suggestions, as well as elegance and a delicious luncheon at the historic St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco were all part of the event.  We thank the staff and management of the St. Francis and the hard work and months long preparation by Program Chair Sandy Sims, Associate Board Member Molly Blaisdell, and BATW member Janice Nieder, as well as participation of our many valued Associate members, some of whom traveled many hours to join us. (A fuller description of the event appears elsewhere in this ezine.)

Sue Price, event participant and Associate member from Southern Oregon Tourism, writes: “Thank you again for the opportunity. I thought the event was put together wonderfully and was extremely beneficial for us. We would love to see it as an annual event. Safe travels, Sue.” Somarko@aol.com

Sitting with me at lunch was old friend from Paris and new BATW member, Hilary Kaiser. Hilary was very impressed by BATW members’ enthusiasm and willingness to share and assist each other which was evident during the panel presentations and subsequent discussions.

2010 BOARD ELECTION: The 2010 Board of Directors is in the process of being formed. We need your volunteer help and support to serve on the Board of Directors. While some of our incumbents plan to continue, BATW needs new energy and ideas so please consider volunteering to serve on the Board. Send your name to me or Laurie McAndish King. Call us to discuss how your interests and talents can help BATW to continue to move smoothly into the future.

MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS: Procedures for membership renewals will soon be in your email box. Renewals and payments will all occur on line again this year. Any questions can be addressed to Treasurer Susan Alcorn at  backpack45@yahoo.com. PLEASE, get your own renewal in as soon as possible. This is important both to avoid the necessity of our volunteers having to remind you and assuresyou place in the new 2010 directory. To encourage your speedy response, we are offering prizes (this suggestion by the ever creative mind of Jay Gordon) to a few of the first 50 people to renew. Names will be drawn from a hat.

I’m always happy to hear from BATW member Katherine Bruce, our far-flung correspondent in Japan, where Katherine is living and teaching this year.  She writes:  “I just wanted to let you know that I’m going to be writing for Examiner.com . . . they just reviewed my application and liked what they read. I also applied to write as a contributing writer to a foreigner magazine here in Japan called Kansai Scene. So, I wanted to thank you for the little nudge you gave me a few months ago. It really helped me stay focused on writing and getting my work out there. So, this is my start, and hopefully I can build on from here.”

Hope to see you at our two fabulous upcoming events: Morton Beebe and Antarctica in November and our December 5 Holiday Party at the new fun and glamorous Disney Museum in the Presidio in San Francisco. Thanks, Sandy, for your continuing amazing planning.

Next time you see me I shall be even more the bionic woman. On November 5, I am having a total shoulder replacement, maybe with a bluebird sitting on it. No wild waving or heavy lifting for a few months but hopefully I’ll be able to type.

– Diane LeBow
BATW President