Dear Skålleagues,
Here we are into January, and like us you are probably asking where has this year gone. Well since we took over office as your Vice Presidents we have both been keeping an eye on how things have been going with the various clubs and we must say that Newsletters seem to have only been sent to us from a very few clubs. As you know this year arrangements were changed as to how the Bob Smyrk Tantalus would be awarded at the National in 2010. From information received from Clubs the two Vice Presidents will decide on a short list of clubs who will be asked for further information about certain aspects of how that particular club has been doing throughout the year before a final decision is made and the Tantalus award at the National Gala Dinner in April. Details of the things that we will be looking at were forwarded to each club after the last AGM.
Our National Secretary has sent out nomination forms for the vacancies on the National Executive at the AGM and apart from the position of President and Treasurer there have been no nominations just two resignations. All positions will now be filled at the AGM with nominations from the floor so can we please ask that you give this some serious thought otherwise Skal UK will be in trouble. Surely someone in your club can help out and it would be good if we had to have an election for each position. To keep the UK running well we definitely need a 2nd Vice President so how about it we are sure you will enjoy yourself and also benefit from all the various contacts. If you need any further information please contact the Secretary or speak to one of us we are here to help. We need Skal UK to keep going so PLEASE help us now.
Paul has reported on the International so you know that Sydney has been confirmed as the Venue for the International next October 7th to 10th October. Jim Power has already agreed that UK members can have the usual deposit scheme so anyone interested just has to complete a form and send enclose a deposit of £150 per person. It is hoped that Jim will be attending the National on the Isle of Wight so will be pleased to take back any application forms with him. The Conference will be priced in Aus$ so Jim will advise you of the exchange rate he obtained when your cheque is balanced and then you are responsible for payment of the balance in Aus$. Payment can be made by credit card with the usual fee. Full details of the Conference can be found on the Website. It is anticipated that Emirates and Qantas will be offering discounted air fares but you may have your own contacts.
We are pleased to say that the members of the Skål Club of Southampton are working very hard on arrangements for the National 23rd to 25th April and so far over 70 people have sent in their deposits. As already stated Jim Power hopes to be with us and it is hoped that he will be bringing with him the International President Nik Racic. The Queen's representative as already accepted an invitation for the Gala dinner and it is hoped to have representatives from Germany. Algarve, Ireland and New Zealand so we could be having a mini-International so if you have not already booked please do so now so you will not miss out. An application form is available on the Skål Website.
We would like to say a big thank you to the London Club for their efforts at WTM and we know that we have some new members as a result and am pleased to say not just for London Club.
As your Vice Presidents we are here to help you so please feel free to make contact with us if you think we can be of help. Don't forget we need a new Vice President in January so how about YOU!
It only remains for us both to wish you, your family and friends all the very best for Christmas and the New Year and as soon as you get your new diary the first two dates to enter Thursday 28th January the AGM in Birmingham and 23rd to 25th April Skål UK National on the Isle of Wight.
Yours in Skål - John M Bright & Ian Hawkes
