By Dora Gabe
Hello Auxiliary members. I am honored to write this edition of the ”View” as your newly elected National Auxiliary President. Serving with me this year are Joan Langworthy of North Carolina as Vice President, Sandy Krasnodemski of Michigan as Secretary, Geraldine McDonnell of New York as Treasurer, and Joyce Thornton of Florida as the regular Reporter.
Attendees of the 2005 BVA National Convention in Miami Beach enjoyed a warm welcome from the Florida Regional Group. Auxiliary meetings were well attended by interested, loyal members from the west coast to Puerto Rico. Many Auxiliary members also participated in the convention’s scheduled events.
Numerous items were generously donated to this year’s Silent Auction. They were well received by equally generous bidders. Auxiliary members are to be congratulated for their wonderful contributions! The Silent Auction Committee members conducted the annual scholarship fundraiser with their usual finesse. A special thank you should be directed to Committee Chair Velma Camper.
BVAA also appreciates all of the generous donations resulting from this year’s Auxiliary raffle. Congratulations to this year’s winners, which were Dawna Johnson, Kathy Berry, Harley McCabe, Billy Underwood, Buddy Spivey, Larry Belote, and Nancy Geden.
Dawna won a brandy basket donated by Nita Kerger of San Antonio, Texas. Kathy won a beautiful handmade afghan donated by Elena Martinez. Harley won an Emerson personal CD player that I donated. Billy’s prize was a lovely pearl necklace donated by an unknown generous member. Buddy won a useful all-in-one weather station donated by Hazel Compton. Larry won a hand-carved wooden plaque depicting the BVA seal and donated by Stuart Nelson. Nancy won $50 in cash donated by BVAA itself.
We are already immersed in the planning stages for a fun and successful BVA 61st National Convention in Buffalo, New York, next August. Your National Auxiliary Board is looking forward to a productive year of serving and supporting our BVA membership.
Last, but perhaps most importantly, many are probably not aware that Mary McKenzie was first elected to the position of Auxiliary National Treasurer at the BVA 44th National Convention in Denver, Colorado, in August of 1989. This means that Mary faithfully guarded our finances for 16 years. She informed us just this year that she would like to take a breather from the responsibility. Words cannot express our gratitude to Mary for her dedication and a job very well done for BVAA. |
