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Update on 2011 International Conference by Kathy Fox |
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 (click on above thumbnail photos to see larger photo) I attended the Ninety-Nines International Conference in Oklahoma City from July 14-17. This was only my second international conference, having briefly attended the one in Calgary in 2001. What a great experience! After arriving at the Marriott hotel in OKC on Thursday July 14, I immediately caught the bus provided to take attendees to a welcome reception at the Int'l HQ. It was a great opportunity to see our international home, meet the staff and attendees from all over the U.S. and other parts of the world. I particularly enjoyed visiting the Museum of Women Pilots, located on the 2nd floor of our building, and highly recommend you make the opportunity to go see it some day. It is a wonderful tribute to our history and tells the stories of many remarkable women aviators that blazed trails whether as commercial pilots, military pilots, astronauts and others. While there, I had a fascinating conversation with Patricia Jayne Keefer, who with her mother Marion, flew in and won an around the world race in a Piper Twin Commanche in the early 90's. Part of her route began and ended in Canada, in Montreal. On Friday, I attended a Leadership Conference hosted by the Board and staff, which provided all Governors a Powerpoint Presentation that can be adapted to each Section/Chapter and used to help recruit or orient new members. It starts with a history of the 99s and a description of the international organization and structure. Then there is a part focussed on Section (using Southwest section as the model) followed by a part on Chapter activities (based on Ventura County Chapter). I have given the CD to Susan Begg, our Vice Governor, to adapt the material for ECS, and asked her to make copies and send to each Chapter Chair, so you can adapt the chapter section for your activities. It really is a great resource and gives our 99s presentations a standard, professional look and feel. So I hope you'll take advantage of this recruiting and educational tool. In addition, newly re-elected Int'l Director Corbi Bulluck gave a presentation on the Chapter Chairman's Manual (attached). In spite of its title, it is actually intended for Section officers and Committee Chairs as well and offers a wealth of information including roles and responsibilities, how to organize meetings, how to organize chapter files, how to orient new members etc. This manual is updated periodically and is available on the 99s website, in the Members Only section, under Library, along with a wealth of other resources which I hope you'll refer to frequently. Laura Ohrenberg mentioned that a new membership application is available on the website which can be completed electronically and submitted via e-mail. However, a new member won't be processed until HQ receives a copy of the new member's pilot's licence, which can be scanned or mailed. I attended the AEMSF luncheon and was proud to see two Canadians receive Amelia Earhart Scholarships, including Cindy Pang from B.C. Coast Chapter and our own Alexandra Kindrat from Montreal Chapter. Following the luncheon there was a very dynamic speech by U.S. Astronaut Shannon Walker who flew onboard the ISS in 2010 for 161 days after being launched by a Russian rocket (rather than the space shuttle). One of the highlights was her carrying aloft Amelia Earhart's watch at the request of Int'l Director Joan Kerwin, its owner. The watch was returned safely to Joan during this event. That evening I joined Kitty Houghton, formerly of Eastern Ontario Chapter, and some of the other international delegates for dinner. I was particularly impressed by two 99s from Nepal - both airline pilots - Section Governor Sabina Shrestha and AEMSF winner Monica Prajapati. On Saturday, they gave a wonderful presentation and answered questions about flying in Nepal. To my delight, their presentation included a photo taken with FCC Chair Akky Mansika, while she and her husband were visiting their country. Saturday's business meeting ran very smoothly and finished earlier than scheduled. In all there were 164 delegates carrying 802 votes. There was nothing of a controversial nature and everything passed with a clear majority. The standing rules amendments were approved; two Int'l Directors (from three candidates) were elected - Corbi Bulluck and Marjy Leggett. Various Officer and committee reports were given (these can be found under the Library tab of the Members Only section on the Int'l website). Overall the organization is in good financial shape for the future, especially with the lease of a secondary building. However membership has dropped below the 5000 mark, and everyone seems to face the challenge of both recruiting new members and, as importantly, retaining those we have. There was also significant discussion on ideas to raise money for the 99s Endowment Fund, which currently stands around the $600K mark well on its way to the $1 Million goal. The next Int'l conference will be held in Providence, Rhode Island, hosted by our sister section, the New England Section from July 11-15, 2012. If at all possible, do make plans to attend. It's relatively close by, a wonderful place to vacation, and they have a number of interesting activities and outings planned. < I plan to attend the West Canada Section meeting in Vancouver in mid-September, and the fall Int'l Board meeting in Oklahoma City in November. Please don't hesitate to share this information with your members and let me know if you have any questions or concerns. Best regards, Kathy Fox |
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Website email: canadian99s@yahoo.ca |
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