June 2010 - Posts

Wednesday, June 16, 2010 2:34 PM

I'm So Glad We Had This Time Together...

One of my all-time favorite shows was (and still is) the Carol Burnett Show.  There's a gal with real talent, class, and brains.  She assembled a once-in-a-lifetime cast and staff who knew the value of good family humor.  Anybody can throw around foul language, but it's a sign of real creativity and smarts when you can make people laugh without resorting to blatant vulgarities.  Genius!  I also enjoyed the way Ms. Burnett ended the show with a pinch of the ear to her grandma and a "comes the time we have to say so long."  And now it's the Sullivan's turn to take their final bow and hand the reins (or reign) over to your new Region C Family of the Year, Bob and Pam Beveridge of Iowa's Chapter H.  Congratulations, you two!  Welcome to a whole new level of Destination Friendship.  Oh, the places you will go!

During the Region C FOY interviews, the committee gives each couple a chance to ask the panel any questions that they might have.  The most common question is "What Are We Expected to Do?"  My response:  Your job, in a nutshell, is to keep on doing what you're doing... having fun and living Destination Friendship.  I would also ask you to remember two simple words:  "visible presence".  You are the visible presence of GWTA.  That doesn't mean you have to do everything or attend every event, but I would suggest you keep these two words in mind when you're trying to decide what to wear, when to show up with your medals, what to write each month, and what you need to do to promote and serve Destination Friendship.  And I know Bob and Pam will do a great job of doing just that and more.

To those who were unable to attend the Region C Rally Banquet and Family of the Year ceremonies, I would like to share our Family of the Year  speech, given during the ceremonies.  It addresses not just the Families of the Year but each member of GWTA as well:

"The Family of the Year Award is one of the highest honors that GWTA bestows.  The selection process for this award begins as members of your chapter nominate and select a couple or family to be Chapter Family of the Year.  Being selected as Chapter W’s Family of the Year was a huge honor for Doug, the girls, and me because this honor was bestowed by our closest peers... by the people we ride with each week, who see your good side and your bad side, who share your ups and your downs... these are your friends and your family.

Members should take this selection process very seriously.  It’s not about who did it last year or who hasn’t been selected Family of the Year yet.  The award IS about participation and involvement in events at the chapter level and at all other levels of GWTA -- state, regional, and national.  Does the family live Destination Friendship?  And finally, are they having FUN?!

Members, please support your Family of the Year... not only financially, but also by encouraging and honoring them.

Some chapters pay their family’s registration for state annual events like Fall Follies.  GWTA Nebraska and Region C hold special auctions to help their State and Region Families of the Year offset some of the expenses incurred while attending the regional rally, Gold Rush, and other GWTA events.  Many states do a GREAT job of supporting, recognizing, and encouraging their Families of the Year, and we must CONTINUE to do so, so that others will follow our lead and maintain the tradition of this great GWTA honor.

Last but not least, all Families of the Year, be PROUD and respect this honor given to you.  Wear your medals and sashes with pride!  Remember, YOU are representing your CHAPTER, your STATE, your REGION, and GWTA.  Most  of all, cherish every moment and HAVE FUN!  I know we have.  For the hugs, the smiles, and for letting the Sullivan's be a part of each of your GWTA families, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts."

Pam and Bob, buckle up!  It's gonna be a great ride!


To view the slideshow from our trip to GWTA's Region C Rally in Spearfish, click here .

To view pictures from the rally, click here.
posted by U2Farmer with 0 Comments