Calgary Wild Rose:  A Year to Remember

Submitted by Patti Nolan
  

Last time you heard from me, it was to tell you of our new name.  I wanted to give you an update on how that has worked for us this year.  We started this year with 5 members.  I’m happy to announce at our Wrap Up in June we now have 18 including one associate.  I’d like to take this opportunity to thank my fellow board members, Karen Brown, Donna Berthelet and Laura Davey.  Without the efforts of all of you, we could not have survived much less prospered like we have.  We all made a commitment in September to make it or break it this year.  I’m happy to say we made it!  Our original goal of 12 members by June, was far surpassed.  Much credit goes to Karen Brown whose ideas and dedication were instrumental in our success.  Thank you to Cari McLaughlan who although could not join us again until February (too busy world traveling before that!), was always with us in spirit.  Since her return she has not stopped working hard for the club.  We’re glad to have her back.  And a final thank you to Calgary Downtown and Calgary Bow River clubs, Todd Crosby and Wolfgang Juchem whose support this past year has been invaluable.

As if increasing membership by 250% was not rewarding enough, our club won the Western Region Community Service Award.  Although small in number, we are big in heart.  Some organizations that we have supported are the Calgary Food Bank, Calgary Drop In Centre, Calgary Women’s Emergency Shelter, Children’s Cottage, Forzani’s Mother’s Day Road Race, St. Mary’s Feed the Hungry, Bowl For Kids, and the Calgary Health Trust.  We were busy little beavers (look out Moncton boys—we can beaver jive too).

It’s been a very successful year for Calgary Wild Rose and I believe the name change was one of the key components.  We felt like a new club, were viewed like a new club and most importantly, we were motivated like a new club.  We’re all looking forward to the next Progress year and our newest members are anxious to experience their first National Convention in Edmonton.  Be sure to introduce yourself to the girls and show them what wonderful Progressians live across Canada!  See you in September!

Welcome to our new members:  Christina Langlois, Jenn Barton, Monica Keller, Anne Lawrey, Gwen Hinch, Kris Jackson, Robin Waldo, Cathy Miller, Pat Alexander, Myra Skerrett, Kirsten Ekstrand and Jennifer Hameluk.