President’s Letter – November 2006

By Dick Stafford

Greetings fellow Skålleagues!

We enjoyed an excellent dinner at the Columbia Restaurant in West Palm Beach thanks to our host Lorrie Hero of the Tampa SKAL Club. Lorrie welcomed the club to their West Palm Beach Restaurant and told us about the history and background on the 100 year old restaurant chain. We started the evening with Sangria and Tapas. Dinner followed featuring the restaurant's famous Original "1905" Salad and a great selection of entrée's - needless to say, no one went home hungry.

During the dinner meeting we had the opportunity to induct another new member into our club - Angelina DeVita the Tour & Cruise Manager for Allaboard Travel.

The board made several announcements. We received a certificate at the World Congress recognizing the club for its growth in membership this year.

The SKAL dues for 2007 will be $112.00. We will again offer 2 choices for the members regarding the dues/dinner program - $262.00 including 3 dinners and $512.00 including all 10 dinners. You will receive your invoice during December and dues are payable by January 15, 2007. As you know we are required to pay all member dues to SKAL International by January 31, 2007. Any individual's dues that are not received by then will not be included in the 2007 membership roster.

We have finalized the establishment of our credit card program which will be operational for the December Dinner. Starting at that time all members, if they chose to, can pay for their dues, dinners and auction purchases by credit card.

Lee Smolinski announced the boards nominating committee's selection for the slate of officers and board members for next year. They are:

President Wayne Lampert
Vice President Peter Berlin
Secretary Paul Cook
Treasurer Carlos Banks
SIUSA Rep Lee Smolinski
Board Members
    Dick Stafford
    Paul Alterman
    Teresa Nix
    Joe Ogni

You have received the invitation, courtesy of Jawayne Keyser, to attend the ASME December Charity Luncheon on Friday December 15th on board the Crystal Serenity Cruise Ship at the Port of Miami. As you remember, ASME members joined us at our June meeting and have been gracious enough to invite us to this event. Due to the ship's requirements they are asking that you RSVP by December 1st so that they can make the necessary arrangements at the Port.

If you have not as yet picked up your new name badge, make sure that you contact Paul Cook.

Our SKAL December Holiday Dinner Dance & Auction will be held at Brooks Restaurant in Deerfield Beach on December 12th. Please keep in mind that this date is one week earlier than our usual meeting due to the Christmas holiday season. The evening is shaping up to be a very enjoyable event. We have a terrific menu and music will be provided all evening for your listening and dancing pleasure.

We are asking all of our members to donate something for our annual silent auction which will be held that night. In the past we have had many terrific items including gift certificates from hotels, cruise and airline packages, wine, gift baskets, CD's and other intriguing valuables. The proceeds of the auction are used to support the charities that SKAL International and our club are involved with. Tim Digby is heading up this years auction. Please contact Tim or myself by December 5th with your auction item. Tim can be reached at the Marriott Hotel in West Palm Beach - 561 - 803-1900 or tim.digby@marriott.com.

The locations for upcoming meetings are:

December 12, 2006 we will be at Brooks Restaurant in Deerfield Beach for our Holiday Dinner Dance & Auction.

Don't forget to check the club's website www.skal-ftlauderdale-palmbeaches.org for additional club news, the upcoming Call to Meeting and the pictures from the November Dinner.

Looking forward to seeing you and your guests at the Holiday Dinner Dance & Auction on December 12th.

Wishing everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday!

SKAL!