Hello Williamsburg Torch Club Members, as we prepare for our meeting on March 19th, please RSVP to me on or before noon on Friday, March 15h of your plan to attend, along with the names of your guests, and any dietary restrictions.
Meeting Agenda
5:30 p.m. — Mingling; registration; cash bar
6:00 p.m. – Announcements and reports
6:15 p.m. – Dinner
7:00 p.m. – Program/Questions
8:00 p.m. — Adjourn
A Word from our President…
Assuming we survive the triple threat this week of Pi Day (3.14), the Ides of March (3.15) and St. Patrick’s Day (3.17), we next meet on March 19, 2024 at 5:30 pm at Colonial Heritage to hear the next presentation of the Torch Club of Williamsburg.
The Ides of March is a fitting prelude to the March talk by Mae Kuykendall. Professor Kuykendall will be talking about how societies deal with unscheduled leadership change, specifically with what happens when it’s time to remove a leader and no election is scheduled. Certainly, the Senators in Ancient Rome chose one way to remove Julius Caesar on the Ides of March. We will hear from Professor Kuykendall about other steps (short of assassination) that nations have taken to remove leaders. It should be a thought- provoking talk.
Special thanks to Torch Club member Megan Tschannen-Moran, who spoke eloquently at our February 20 meeting about the concept of trust, betrayal, and revenge in relationships, using schools as an example. Megan’s talk was well received by the 32 attendees (including 7 guests) in attendance.
Our Program Committee continues to work diligently to schedule presentations for each meeting, and have tentatively scheduled presentations through fall 2024. Please contact Kathi Mestayer or Lois Manes if you’d like to sign up to share a presentation between December 2024 and May 2025.
We welcomed a new Board member, Walt Bayer, to the Board last week. Also during the meeting, the Board appointed a nominating committee of Walt Bayer, Deb Hill, and Megan Tschannen-Moran to make nominations to the club for two Board positions and Board officers for 2024-2025. Please let Walt, Deb, and Megan know of your interest in serving. Nominations will be made in April and voted on in May.
If you have not yet visited the club website you should at www.williamsburg torch club.org. Walt Bayer continues to populate and operate the robust site as our webmaster. There is a password protected “Members Only” section which the Board is considering populating with names, addresses and photos of club members. If you have strong feelings against that idea, please let the Board know.
Your Board continues to work hard on putting together the details of the meetings and appreciates your feedback on the setting, meals, and meeting topics. Denise Harrington is spearheading a committee which will look at our venue options. I know that she will appreciate your thoughts. Please speak with one of the current Board members (see below) or me if you have thoughts on how we can improve our meetings and communications, or if you would like to assist in some way.
Secretary – Tanya Fisher Treasurer – Bill Evers Membership – Camilla Buchanan
Programs – Kathi Mestayer (Vice President) and Lois Manes Parliamentarian – Steve Berke Venue Committee Chair – Denise Harrington
Other Board members: Carol Bender and Walt Bayer.
Don’t forget that the International Association of Torch Clubs is holding its centennial convention in Richmond in June. You can learn more about the convention and sign up at www.torch.org. We are also looking for a good attendance from the Williamsburg club. If interested, please let me know.
On behalf of your Board, I wish everyone a full Pi Day, an uneventful Ides of March, and a Happy St. Patrick’s Day. Please remember to respond promptly to Tanya to let her know that you (and hopefully your guests) are coming on March 19th at 5:30. Hope to see you and your guests then.
Williamsburg Torch Club 