March QUICKnews

Welcome to the March QUICKnews from the Australian Association of the Forget Me Not Children’s Home!!

CEO REPORT – LARS OLSEN

In November 2008, I travelled to Africa with Carla Thomas participating in a volunteer program with the Australian Youth Development Association. During that time we volunteered at orphanages and schools, and researched grass roots organisations that are looking for support. We also climbed to the top of Kilimanjaro and went on a wild life safari for four days. From there we travelled to Nepal and trekked to the Gokyo Lakes and Everest Base camp, and finished the journey with three wonderful weeks spent with the girls at Forget Me Not. We had momo dance parties, winter camp experiences, dinner, and shared many glorious days filled full of laughter and family

FORGET ME NOT FUNDRAISING VENTURES

Our latest two fundraisers have been very successful events. The Sunset Rendezvous Cocktail Party raised over $2500 and was enjoyed by all. We hope to make this an annual event. You can see photos of the event here.
    
Our latest Tombola was held on the 1 March 2009 with over 100 people in attendence and raising over $1500. A HUGE thank you to all who volunteered their time on the day – most particularly to the fabulous Judy Lugg – who personally donated over 200 prizes and spent many hours organising the ticketing. We don’t know what we would do without you Judy!

AGM REPORT

Our Annual General Meeting took place on the 15th February at 3pm at the Arts and Craft Hall on Bideford st, Torquay. Last years Committee all presented reports and stood down. Thanks to Joan Flynn for conducting the election of the new office bearers!

In announcing the new committee, we also extend a huge thank you to members of the past committee. Most particularly, we thank Vicki Birchall-Hunt who has been our treasurer since the inception of Forget Me Not. We wish Vicki well and hope that she has more time to relax now! We also thank Carla Thomas, who has been our Fundraising Chair for the last eighteen months and has done a great job in organising events for us! We have really appreciated all the hard work these members have put in over the years – they will be sadly missed at Management Committee level.

We are very pleased to welcome the new committee for the next financial year:

President: Deb Haigh
Treasurer: Lyn Firth
Secretary: Mietta Olsen
Vice Secretary: Kate van Doore
Sponsorship Chair: Andrea Nave

Deb Haigh has kindly agreed to stay on as President- extraordinaire (and Ball Co-ordinator!) for this year. We welcome Lyn Firth to the team as treasurer. She has a wealth of experience in not for profit organisations and we are looking forward to gaining her insight in the team. Andrea Nave has done a fantastic job keeping our sponsors informed and will remain as Sponsorship Chair for the next year.

Mietta Olsen and Kate van Doore are very familiar faces on the Management Committee - being two of the founding Management Committee members. This year they have swapped roles as Kate prepares to move to Lesotho (Sth Africa) for two years in August to take up a position as a Child Protection lawyer. The next few months will be a transition period as the handover from Kate to Mietta begins! 

The Management Committee look forward to working together again this year to further our vision of buying land and building a lasting home for our children.

A REMINDER FOR ALL CHILD SPONSORS!

The next trip to Nepal is scheduled for 3-18th April. We have already started collecting required items for the children.

This trip, we are requesting that child sponsors please send the following:

1. A disposable camera clearly marked (with permanent marker) with your sponsor child’s name;
2. A small photo album of your family;
3. A small personal gift for your child (preferably a sun shirt/shorts for swimming!).

Please keep in mind the space constraints that we will be travelling with. If you need a clothing size for your child, please contact Andrea on sponsorship@forgetmenotchildrenshome.org.au

Please ensure that you provide the items for your child by 12th March 2009 to our sponsorship chair, Andrea Nave.

FUNDRAISING HELP STILL URGENTLY REQUIRED!!!

We are currently recruiting for an Events Coordinator for one of our major events this year. If you have a talent for organisation that you would like to share, please contact us.

Fundraising Meetings are held EVERY Monday night at McDonalds (Pialba) party room at 6.30pm – rain hail or shine!!

We are also still in need of people who can give a little time to help input into our fundraising events throughout the year. You do not have to have any special skills. Why don’t you come along and see what we can do when many heads get together!!

Remember, together our hands can help!!!

CONTACT US

Remember, all are welcome at our meetings! The next General Committee meeting will be held at 4pm on 29 March 2009 at Bayconnect, Torquay rd, Torquay. This will be the last meeting before the the Forget Me Not group leaves on the April trip.

Meeting dates will be made available on the website as they come to hand. Most are held at BayConnect Office, Sports & Leisure Centre, Bideford St Hervey Bay.

Please contact miettao@forgetmenotorphanage.org.au if you are unable to attend and would like a copy of the minutes.

Questions or suggestions?

Just email katevd@forgetmenotchildrenshome.org.au

That’s all for the March QUICKnews.

More QUICKnews next month. Don’t forget our website is updated weekly: www.forgetmenotchildrenshome.org.au