°	HOME
°	PRINT OUT MEMBERSHIP FORM
°	PRINT OUT 2009 CALENDAR AND ACTIVITY GUIDE
°	TRAVEL FLYERS
°	MEETINGS, LUNCHEONS & SPECIAL EVENTS
°	OFFICERS, COMMITTEES, & ACTIVITY CONTACTS
°	ACTIVITY DESCRIPTIONS
°	MINUTES
°	BYLAWS
°	PHOTOS

Minutes of the CONCH General Meeting
January 11, 2010
Harwich Community Center

President, Gerry McDowell opened the meeting at 10:00 AM blowing the conch shell horn.

Gerry asked new members to stand and identify themselves. Two new members stood and were welcomed.

Treasurer, Judi Cutts read the monthly Treasurer's Report.

Membership Chair, Jeff Hahner stated CONCH currently has 434 members. Jeff announced the February Activity he and Bette are hosting.

A Mardi Gras Celebration will take place on February 11th at the Cultural Center in South Yarmouth. Flyers with details will be at the sign up table.

Kay Sacramone announced she and Ray are hosting the Theater and Dinner Party being held April 18th. The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, at the Harwich Junior Theater and dinner at The Ocean House in Dennisport. A flyer with details will be at the sign up table.

Kay spoke of the June 8th Lobster Bake being held with Newcomers. The CONCH quota is filled but not Newcomers.

Gerry thanked Jay and Polly Kennedy for hosting the wonderful December Holiday Luncheon at Eastward Ho. He also thanked Dave and Nancy Beauchamp for their Eastward Ho sponsorship.

Travel Chair, Dona Webber spoke of upcoming events. -Museum of Fine Arts - Sign ups still available for February 2nd -Mystery bus ride and luncheon (off cape) - March -Casino trip including dinner and a show - April -Jersey Boys Concert May 19th - full event - waiting list only -Carol Burnett concert / Worcester - May 20th An interest sign-up sheet is available for the casino trip and Carol Burnett concert.

Gerry asked members to consider being a Greeter. CONCH strives to be friendly and welcoming to all new and current members. Blanche MacMullan is the Chair of The Greeters Committee.

• Gerry stated there are brochures available listing events offered at the Chatham Community Center.
• Ernie Helides announced a Wine Tasting and Six Course Dinner Event at the Chatham Squire on February 25th. This is not CONCH sponsored, but please see Ernie if you are interested.

The Nominating Committee for selection of the 2010 -2011 CONCH Officers has been named. The Chairman is Joan Dunphy and members are Bill Jordan, Dona Webber and Melissa Kraycir. The slate will be presented at the March General Meeting and voting will take place at the May General Meeting. Please contact a committee member or Gerry McDowell if there is someone you would like to nominate.

Sunshine Chair, Ann McCarthy read the list of members sent condolence or get well cards. Gerry announced that Ann and her husband Bob were leaving the cape. He presented Ann with a gift for her contribution to CONCH. Bob is a former President of CONCH.

Program Chair, Barbara Goldrick spoke of upcoming speakers.
• March 8th is Mary Ann Gary, Volunteer Archivist, Chatham Historical Society.
• May 10th is award-winning author, Michael Tougias.

Barbara then introduced today's speakers Ginny O'Halloran, RN, PhD. and Dr. Ralph Porter, MD. Their topic was Managing Your Own Health Care: Fact or Fiction. Their main message was to ask questions, talk openly about your medical issues and advocate for yourself. They ended with a question and answer session. Their presentation was wonderful, informative and interactive. It was enjoyed by the very large turnout. Ginny compiled a list of informative and reliable medical web sites that was distributed before the meeting.

Gerry said CONCH wants to form a band to march in the Chatham 4th of July parade in 2012. He asked people traveling south to bring back conch shells. More to follow!

Gerry McDowell adjourned the meeting at 11:45.

Respectfully submitted,
Nancy Rafferty
Secretary