Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Cece Dougherty

Cece has been moved to Florida Hospital, Oceanside (on AIA) where she will receive basic therapy. She is making progress, and the family is very positive about her recovery. There is still a no visitation rule in place, but hopefully that will be removed in the future.

Cards are not necessary. Prayers and positive thoughts are appreciated.

Thursday, April 7, 2011

LEGISLATION:

My sincere hope was that we would have a National Budget and no Government Shutdown by the time I wrote this newsletter. However, there is no budget!

My hope was also that the budget would reflect a situation where everyone was paying their fair share to reduce the National Debt. That doesn’t seem to be the case either.

Some simple observations: first, the Congress seems to be arguing more about programs and their value than about monies. I thought these programs were passed in good faith in the past, and now it is the responsibility of congress to support these programs. If some Congress persons want to reevaluate a particular program, that should be done at another time. What seems to be happening is just plain mean spirited. The focus should be on money not programs that have been decided on in the past.

Second, the position of House Leader seems to have sunk to an all time low. I actually pity House Speaker John Bohner, R-Ohio. The tea party has divided the conservatives and prevented the Speaker from representing a consensus. Every point requires the tea parties’ approval and then post approval when the next position is taken. They can never seem to come to one uniform conservative position, because they are not true conservatives. The tea party has no feeling for compromise. It is their way or no way.

TRUE LEADERSHIP:

Cece Dougherty had a fall and is presently recovering in the local hospital, but that isn’t the news. The news is the vital part that Cece has played in every single chapter member’s life. I find it difficult to even name all the things she has been involved in, and her very presence gives us inspiration. No job is too small or too large for Cece. She has fought to provide you with interesting and at the same time economical activities both through the year and during the summer. She has worked with food mangers to provide you with the best to be had and in pleasant surroundings. She has managed to obtain extras and coupons on several occasions. We had no event that did not owe its success to the efforts of Cece Dougherty.

In addition to her personal skills, Cece also is accomplished with the computer. She searches out programs and legislative items that needed to be brought to the attention of our members. She could also make her computer work for the chapter by printing the newsletter, letterheads, cards, place settings, and many other items. She designed and produced awards and other items that would add to an event.

Cece is capable of being your President, but that was never one of her ambitions. What she likes to do is plan and carry out activities behind the senses. Cece is a true leader in every sense of the expression.

PROGRAM:

Our speaker for the April meeting will be the new Executive Director of United Way for Volusia and Flagler counties. This will be our first opportunity to meet the new Director, and he will provide us valuable information about some services we might not be aware of in detail.

Marguerite Hiemenz, Program Chair