June 4, 2024 Meeting Notes
We are also still in need of a chapter treasurer, My husband would be happy to share with anyone interested what exactly it involves.
And, just being real here, it is unlikely that Ed and I will live forever or even forever have the faculties to continue as chapter leaders. Just as we replaced others, others will need to replace us at some time (not now) and I am just throwing that out there in case anyone thinks, at some future time, they may be interested. If you tag team the position it really doesn’t involve a lot of time…..some chapters have organized steering committees who split up the work amongst themselves. As Regional Coordinator here in Ohio, I can, at some point if there is interest, conduct a one day. Leadership training. This doesn’t commit you to anything but gives you a good idea of what is involved. Remember- if those who came before us didn’t step up to take over when their chapter leader/s retired, there would be no chapters for those who don’t yet even know they will need us. I say all this because in the original west chapter where Ed, myself and our spouses began our TCF journey, one day our chapter leader died- no warning- turned out she had the same heart condition which took her son. The chapter had a strong steering committee but they were now mourning the death of their close friend. Another gentleman and I offered to help- only 18 months out from our losses- only to find ourselves named chapter leaders. We had no instruction, no files, no guidance. It was rough. We don’t want that to happen here. Please know that Ed and I are both healthy and have no immediate plans of retiring- just trying to plan ahead.
Lastly- before Ed’s great notes- our June dinner will be Thursday, June 20th at 6:30pm, location pending. Our July meeting is going to be held in one of the Montgomery parks- details pending.
Ed’s Notes:
It was nice. There were seven of us including me. Rod, Jeanne who came with Pammy, Molly, Sue, and Kelly with "pocket hugs" she had made in anticipation of Father's Day. Each of us took a couple of the pocket hugs. The topic "say their name" brought on good discussions of how others behave around us. It also led to discussions about how we remember our loved ones. Speaking of mementos, Kelly talked about how she took some cursive handwriting from a deceased relative and brought it to life using an engraving devise. It made some of us wonder about how we might do something with this. One such engraving she did was on the pipes of a wind chime. While there weren't that many of us it was nice since it was more intimate and I think everyone had adequate time to share.
(For those of you who aren’t familiar with Kelly, she has begun a little business creating amazing items and selling at craft shows. She made the sun catchers we handed out at our Candle Lighting last year. Feel welcome to share your talents, suggestions. And BIG thanks to Kelly for the dad gifts!!!)
And for those of you who have actually made it all the way to the end of this note--- YAY! Thanks- Karen