London-Middlesex Branch News

Who To Contact?

Karen Tierney
Membership Chair
tierneykaren58@gmail.com

We are always happy to talk with retired teachers from all aspects of the teaching profession, elementary, secondary, college, private schools. Contact Karen Tierney for membership information as listed above.

Participation

All activities were suspended in mid-March, 2020, but now we are beginning to reach out in new ways (small group gatherings, Zoom meetings, etc.)

Friendship Group

This is a very popular group within the whole membership. The aim is to bring members together in smaller interest groups and do fun and friendly things such as our twice monthly breakfasts and hiking/walking.

We look forward to resuming such things as theatre outings, road trip luncheons, car rallying, crafts etc., when Covid-19 restrictions are lifted.

Keeping in Touch & Courtesy/Goodwill

We like to keep in touch with “shut-ins” who are no longer able to attend meetings. In recent months, we have not been allowed to visit homes in person, so Front porch visits, phone calls and cards have been used to help us Keep in Touch.

Book Clubs

Two separate small groups that would normally have monthly meetings after reading a mutually chosen book, now discuss the selection while distance meeting in back yards, large airy rooms, or via Zoom. New members are welcome. If interested contact Debby Albin – her contact information is listed on the back of the 2020-21 Program that was mailed out in August.

Phone-Callers Group

This is a group of members who each phone a short list of other members to remind them of the upcoming luncheon, who is the Speaker/Topic of the month, the charity of the month and what to bring if members wish to support it.

Since our membership is always growing, additions to the group are welcome. It is a great way to connect with new people. Members may decline to be on the “call list”  of course.

Our callers have been instrumental in helping us make our two “wellness checks” with our members during the Stay-at-Home period of recent months.

 At Luncheons…

Book Sale

At each regular luncheon meeting members’ pre-owned books are contributed to the Book Sale table to be circulated, for a small cost to new owners. Four of our members organize the books on display, cull them as necessary, and pack them up in sturdy bags to be taken home by about twelve volunteers ready for the next meeting.

This is a very popular fund-raiser which sponsors Branch delegates attending the annual RWTO Convention.

Table Decorations

A very talented group prepares centre-pieces for every table at our six luncheon meetings. They not only enhance our venue but sometimes go home with members, for a small charge, to continue the sharing.

 

2020-2021

FRIENDSHIP ACTIVITIES:

(all breakfasts begin at 9:30 a.m.)

Tues. Sept.  15     Breakfast at Katie’s Kitchen     [limit of 3 tables with 4 people]

Wed.  Sept. 23     Breakfast at Katie’s Kitchen     [limit of 3 tables with 4 people]

Tues. Oct.    6       Breakfast at Katie’s Kitchen     [limit of 3 tables with 4 people]

Wed. Oct.  21        Breakfast at Katie’s Kitchen     [limit of 3 tables with 4 people]

Tues. Nov.  3        Breakfast at Shelley’s Restaurant on Wellington Rd.

Wed. Nov.   18       Breakfast at Katie’s Kitchen     [limit of 3 tables with 4 people]

Tues. Dec. 8           Christmas Luncheon at Sunningdale Golf & Country Club      (if permitted)

Wed. Jan. 2021       Breakfast at Shelley’s Restaurant

Mon. Feb.  8 2021   Breakfast at Shelley’s Restaurant

LUNCHEONS

Our usual September and October Lunches have been foregone due to Covid 19, but tentative plans have been made for November 26       Christmas Antics & Dreams Come True

Listings for March, April  and May 2021 will be given at a later date.

Members are encouraged to make their individual donations to our usual charities and contact information was given in the Program mailed out to Members.

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May 23, Annual Banquet and Installation of

New Officers and Chairpersons

for 2018-20

Luncheon is about to be served.

 

The new Executive for 2018-20 is installed by Provincial president Lois Lockhart.

New Members are introduced and presented with a flower and RWTO pin

A Memoriam is said for each members who has passed away in the preceding year.

 

 

Current Newsletter

• February 2020

Archived Newsletters

• February 2019
• February 2018

CORA BAILEY AWARD

This provincial Award recognizes members who have given excellent leadership and outstanding service to their local branch.

There have been 22 recipients to date in the London-Middlesex Branch since the Award was begun in 2006. Cora Bailey was the first Provincial Secretary-Treasurer and held office for several years and wrote a book about RWTO.

Mary Maxwell with Cathy Harrison presented the 2018 Cora Bailey Award to Nancy Bell at the October Luncheon. Nancy is our Past President, she has been very active with many of our activities including the Friendship Group and the Table Centre-piece making for each of our luncheons.

 

BARBARA BAIN AWARD

This Provincial Award is presented at the Annual Convention in July to Branches that have increased membership over the previous year. There are three tiers representing three different sizes of Branches. We have over 240 members which places us in the “large” tier.

In 2017-18 our Branch had top place with an increase of 22 members, Past President Nancy Bell accepted the Award and $300.00 for the Branch at the Convention in 2018.
Barbara Bain is a member of the London-Middlesex Branch and was present at the Convention in 2018.

SHINING STAR AWARD

This Award was established a few years ago by our Branch to recognize members for their long-term service, support of members, as well as community volunteer work.
In May 2019 at the Annual General Meeting Pat Savage presented Pat Malone with the Shining Star Award and Cathy Harrison presented Janet Wombwell with her Shining Star Award. Both Pat and Janet were given the award in recognition of their commitment to our Branch in carrying out the mandate of Caring and Sharing by supporting programs and members as well as being active volunteers in the community.

On the left: The Shining Star Award 2019, Pat Savage presented the Award to Pat Malone.

On the right: Cathy Harrison presented the Shining Star Award to Janet Wombwell in May 2019.

A great majority of our members are active in the London-Middlesex Community through their church or other agencies and organizations. From May Court Club, Sororities, Meals on Wheels, Cancer Clinic, Lioness, to Optimist Club, Grandmothers for Grandmothers Campaign… the list is long and varied… hundreds of hours each year are spent helping and serving others.

In addition to individual members’ activities, as a Branch we support different charities within our London-Middlesex region by collecting goods or monies each month we meet for a luncheon in 2018-19.

Our Charities

• September – new books for children aged 2 – 16 years go to the London Public Library for their Christmas Program “A Book for Every Child”.
• October – Paper Goods for the Women’s Rural Resource Centre, Strathroy and Area
• November – Items for the women of London attending a Resource Centre called “My Sister’s Place”,and also the Branch makes a financial contribution to the Salvation Army Christmas drive in lieu of Christmas gifts for our members.
• March – Non-perishable items for the London Food Bank.
• April – monies are collected from members for Educational Awards given by the Kiwanis Music/Speech competitions and for the Children’s Aid Scholarship Fund and Merrymount Children’s Services.

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