President’s Letter
April, 2020

Greetings Fellow Skålleagues!

In this really tough time, I want to let you all know that our Executive Board members have been thinking about you and hoping you and your families are well. This is such a difficult time for all of us. As you all are aware, we created a list and the board have been successful contacting all current members weekly to stay in touch and make sure we are all well, staying safe and healthy.

Our major concern is the health and safety of all our Skålleagues, their families, clients, and friends. We are aware of the economic impact that COVID-19 has already had and will continue to have on our lives, business and the travel world.

Remember we have the Florimond Volckaert Fund that you may be able to apply to. The fund was set up in 1954, in the name of the acknowledged founder of Skål, to provide assistance to Skålleagues and their immediate families who are in serious need of assistance.

How does it work? If a Skålleague is in need of help, an application should be sent by the President of the Club or the International Councilors to the three Trustees. They will assess the request and quickly come to a decision.

Under what circumstances can help be requested?

• Loss of job an inability to meet financial obligations
• Death of a Skålleague whose spouse needs assistance to pay schools fees for their children
• Cost of surgical/hospital services which cannot be obtained elsewhere
• Equipment for a physically disabled Skålleague so that the quality of life can be improved.
• Help for members and their immediate families affected by natural disasters
• Financial assistance because of reduced income or as a result of prolonged illness

These are just a very few examples of the forms of personal (not business) assistance that the Trustees have approved over the years.

How does one apply for assistance?

Either through your Club President or International Councilor. There is an approved Application Form that can be accessed via the Skål website www.skal.org, a copy of which should be sent to the three Trustees. The names and addresses of the current Trustees can be found there as well as in the Skål news.

This is your Fund. Remember, you never know when you might need help from it. Any assistance given is completely confidential. Unless the recipients want to tell anyone about the help they have received, only the recipients, the sponsors and the Trustees will know.

Just a reminder that our event for May 5, 2020 to Tour Guitar Hotel and celebrate Cinco de Mayo at the Seminole Hard Rock Casino & Hotel in Hollywood, Fl. has been cancelled. However, the board has decided to have a Virtual Zoom Happy Hour to celebrate Cinco de Mayo, bring your favorite drink and a hat to the meeting, and join us all. Please let me know if you are interested in joining us, so I can set up a Zoom invite to you all, and we can meet for Zoom Happy Hour on May 5th.

We are delighted to welcome our newest member JoNell Modys - Senior Executive for Greater Fort Lauderdale CVB. Her email is jmodys@broward.org please send her a warm welcome, we are looking forward to meeting her in the near future.

We can't wait to get back to our monthly meetings and be able to go back to a normal routine, and of course, look forward to the return of our great travel industry.

Sending best wishes for your continued comfort and good health as we look to a speedy end to this situation, and a warm virtual hug! Remember...stay home today...so we can all travel tomorrow!

Remember to log onto our club's website www.skal-ftlauderdale-palmbeaches.org or like us on Facebook, connect to us on LinkedIn, or follow us on Instagram, to get more information on our club, event pictures and the upcoming Skål Monthly Reception and Dinner Meetings.

Cheers and Skål!

Cecilia Hudnet
President
Skål International Ft. Lauderdale and the Palm Beaches
chudnet@rchmail.com | hudnetcecilia@gmail.com
Cell # 561-371-1975