Yahoo! a link to this blog is on the Maritimes Y's Mens website

Lets make a Seashell Centerpiece for Convention

Hello from Summerside Y - Service Club

'The Beaches of PEI' is the theme for this year's convention.

There is a challenge for all the Y's Menette clubs in the Maritimes Region. Summerside, the host for the Maritimes Convention has challenged each Y's Menette club who are attending to make a sea shell centrepiece that will be judged for prizes and then used as a centrepiece for our meals. This is a chance to show everyone how creative you are!

Please be in touch about your centrepiece.

Y's Menette meeting Debert NS Nov 3rd and 4th 2012

Carole Dunbar Area Director kneeling
L to R front row Judy Boutlier Amherst club
Carol Reynolds President Sydney club
Charlotte Yorston Regional Director 2010-2012
Andrea Robertson President Pictou County club
Marjorie McQueen President Riverview club
Gayle Trenholm Amherst club
Nancy Trenholm Amherst club
Stella Cross Pictou County club
Georgina Terry VP Epsilon  club
Patricia desChamps Regional Director 2012-2013

We had a great time of fellowship, discussion, learning about programs and Y's Menette structure and social time with crafts!

 Chatting after dinner.

Shopping at Masstown Market. Nancy Trenholm led the way (well sort of!). We had a great time shopping together.

I met friends Tony Burnett and Drake Phillips there - they were on their way to Fredericton from Halifax where Tony taught an Affirm United course. He carried out my groceries!

Savanna La Mar club in Jamaica

This club is being helped by the Maritime Region. They do wonderful work with computer training.

Here they are tearing down their existing building. Every nail, screw and piece of lumber was saved.





Carol Reynolds made a trip to Jamaica to visit Alpha Williams from the Savanna La Mar club shown in the second photo. Carol told us about her experience. She spoke about her trip and the people involved in the project. Carol loved the participants, their energy and commitment to the
 project.

Here is the new facility.

Maritimes Region Convention May 17, 18 & 19th 2013

Come one, Come all!

Y's Menettes will have their annual general meeting and coffee party on Saturday morning May 18th. We will try to organize a second event in the area especially for the women too. It will be great fun. If you are new to Y's Menettes you will learn a lot and meet great new people - if you are a seasoned member you will have a lot of fun and see all your buddies from years past!

Convention fee is $100 and includes all meals (there is a rumour about lobster). Entertainment will be stellar and is included as well. Friday is usually registration and 'meet and greet', Saturday from dawn to late night! is filled with activities (meetings, fun and food). Sunday we usually attend a church service and leave for home (boo hoo) after lunch.

Summerside Y's Men are our hosts and they have a reputation for putting on a wonderful convention. My friend on the Island say that Stanley Bridge Resort is one of the Island's treasures.

Call the The Stanley Bridge Resort 1-800-361-2882 for reservations.
Their web site is: www.stanleybridgeresort.com

Rooms are $99 and cottages are: 1 bedroom $149, 3 bedroom $169 and efficiency cottages are $129 . Included is a Continental Breakfast with cooked items as well. Terms are on the resort website. I know it's early but book now to make sure you get accommodation on site. However, overflow is just 5km away.

The group I am going with from Fredericton have decided to book an extra night - we are staying Monday night as well. It will give us a chance to see the Cavendish area.

Sorry the photos aren't good. I photographed the brochure on my phone. There are good photos on the web site.

Vice-President Georgina Terry of Epsilon has a birthday

It's the big 70!

Georgina was a new member of Epsilon, in Fredericton last year and has 'jumped right in' as Epsilon's  VP position this year. It's proof that new members rock!

FYI - this blog had almost 400 visitors in October. Several visitors were from Australia!

Her husband, Bob, was so jealous of all the fun we have that he has joined the men's club.

Emma Goldman (1869-1940), American anarchist said: I'd rather have roses on my table than diamonds on my neck.

My wonderful Amherst visit and Induction of 4 new members!

Amherst increased their numbers by 30% last evening. Four lovely new members were inducted: Barb, Cheryl Canning, Gail Laliberte and Judy Boutlier!

Sharon Merrill, the Amherst Y's Menette President, and I did the Induction Ceremony for these four lovely new members. It was exciting!

It was good to see Nancy Trenholm, Tillie Stilman, Oena Fullarton, Mabel Mac Eachern, Ruth Short and Gayle Trenholm - and Gayle's beautiful boxer named Goblin!

Gayle is their youngest member, and she may be the youngest member of Y's Menettes in the Maritimes Region! She is the daughter of Nancy and Thomas who are so well known in the Y's Men Movement. Amherst may also have the oldest member in the Maritimes Region at 103 years!

Here is President Sharon giving the new women their Y's Menette pins.

The meeting went well and the lunch was delicious. I stayed the night with Ruth and Vern Short. It was a lovely peaceful environment to stay the night. Ruth and I have a great chat over breakfast of toast and her homemade raspberry jam!

Nancy Trenholm is caring for her granddog, Goblin. What a sweet Boxer.

Sharon Merrill put lovely little sparkly pumpkins on all the tables!

I'm at the Amherst Y's Menette meeting Monday

Sunday evening --- I am so excited to drive to Amherst tomorrow. They have four new members to induct! This club sure has movers and shakers!
When I attended the Fall Council Meetings in Amherst, the Amherst Y's Menettes catered the lunch as a fundraiser. It was lovely. Sharon Merrill made best homemade soup ever!

See you tomorrow - I hope Hurricane Sandy stays away long enough for me to travel there and back!

Tues am 8:30am ---

Here is Sandy, as I am leaving Tuesday morning to come back to Fredericton. I stopped just before I entered the Trans-Canada highway at Amherst near the new windmills. The clouds are so low that they are covering the top of the turbine blades.

There was rain on the way home but the drive back was uneventful.

RD's report for the Fall Council Meeting Amherst NS Oct 13, 2012

For those of you who may not make the Fall Council Meeting this Saturday, I am sending my report along for you.

Y's Menettes - Maritimes Regional Director's Report
Fall Council Meeting Amherst NS October 13, 2012

It is with great excitement that I look forward to my year as Maritimes Regional
Director for Y's Menettes. We have seven very active clubs with members committed to their
Y's Men program and the YMCA. With a combined membership of over 80 women I am
pleased to report that our numbers continue to increase.
The Y's Menette women continue to support our YMCAs, by contributing to their
building funds, sponsoring children to camps, the Strong Kids programs and Y Day Care
facilities. As well, Y's Menettes continue to support Time of Fast, The Alexander
Scholarship Fund, and Roll Back Malaria with the Y's Men. Y's Menettes support Food
Banks, Homeless Shelters, the Salvation Army, Music Festivals, Run for the Cure, and
many others good causes. For detailed information on club activities please refer to the
Y's Menettes Maritimes Region reports submitted at the convention in Saint John in
May 2012.
I am pleased to announce the new Y's Menettes International Project. We have begun a
new three year $29,000 dollar project 'Centre for HIV-AIDS Awareness' in Kerala,
India . Gurli Holm from Denmark is project co-ordinator. Maritimes Region Y's
Menettes look forward to helping with this important work.
'Being responsible for our environment' is one of my mottos for this year. With this in
mind I have started construction on a blog that I expect will have all Y's Menette
information finished by Christmas. Less hard copy will save on postage, paper and
printer inks. Clubs may print from the blog only what they require.
Please visit and use the blog at: ysmenettes.blogspot.com
It will include my monthly newletters, a link for monthly reports, information on Y's
Menette Awards, progress about our International Project, upcoming and newsworthy
events, and news from our Y's Menettes' Area Director Canada/Caribbean Carole
Dunbar.
My fall schedule is so exciting. I have been invited to the Amherst Y's Menettes meeting
on October 29th and to participate in the Y's Menettes Meeting/Training Session in
Debert NS on November 3rd and 4th. Epsilon, my home club has invited my in January. I
will visit Capitals in November or December. I hope to visit several more clubs during
the year.
This is my seventeenth year as a Y's Menette and I am honoured and very pleased to
serve this wonderful organization as the Regional Director.
Repectfully submitted,
Patricia des Champs

Letter from the International Sister Club Coordinator 2012-2014

Letter from international sister club coordinator 2012-14.

Contact Tove Jensen at this email: kirunavej143@webspeed.dk

September 2012.

As the new sister club coordinator I would like to introduce myself. I have been a Y´s Menette in Silkeborg, Denmark for almost 20 years, and I have always been fond of being a club member.

For many years my club has been corresponding with a club in Bendigo, Australia, and for some time I have translated letters from our sister club into Danish. It is great to read about life and experiences in a club far away.

If you have not got a sister club, you should consider establishing a sister club link. You may want ro have a sister club in your own country or in a neighbouring country. That will give you an opportunity to visit each other. A sister club far away will probably not give you that chance, but you can enjoy being pen friends and learn about life in another part of the world.

You will have to consider the language. Of course corresponding is easier if you speak the same language.

In the Y´s Menette International Manual is a Y´s Menette sister club application form. If your club wishes a sister club link, please fill out the application form and send it to your area director or your region director. I will then try to establish a link to another club and introduce you to each other.

If you have a sister club already, I hope you enjoy your correspondance. If you have any difficulties in contacting each other, please mail or write to me, and I will try to help you.

Tove

Life Member Muriel Gorman of Epsilon Y's Menettes

Muriel was presented with a Life Membership in the club by Epsilon Y's Menette President June Aucoin,

Muriel is a much loved member and has served Y's Menettes faithfully for over 50 years. So also makes the best lemon tarts ever!

Harlington and Matilda visit the RD's home

This is a worthy project of the Amherst Y's Menettes. Nancy Trenholm has spoken about Harlington and Matilda often. They travel in their case from club to club. They have  visited  Y's Menettes in Australia from 2009 to 2011! There is a log book with very interesting comments that accompanies them.

They came home from the convention in Saint John with Linda and George Derrah. They have good memories of the Derrah's hospitality.

In this photo they are enjoying the fall sunshine in my bedroom. They seem happy. They aren't afraid of the cats! They will travel with me to Amherst where they will go off avisiting and spreading goodwill once again!

I photographed (this one upside down) several pages from their trip diary. This one is a photo of the Kangaroo Flat Y's Menettes at the Christmas meeting.

 These are the Ararat Y's Menettes in Australia. Doesn't this make the world seem small!

Poor Harlington is very hot!

This is their first day back in Canada. The Trenholm's dogs look friendly!

Monthly Report - click on the link below

Y's Menettes Monthly Report

Please click on the link above to submit your monthly report. Happy reporting!

The Monthly Repost info. has moved to 'Pages'

Patricia desChamps Regional Director Maritimes Region 2012-2013 swearing in

I had total shoulder replacement surgery on Monday, May 14th and was able to travel to Saint John six days later to be sworn in as Regional Director. My  favourite cousin and (sometimes wonderful caregiver) Eleanor Tree did the driving from Fredericton to Saint John - we came right home after the lovely church service and ceremony.  I went directly to bed. 

The Leah Bell Memorial Award to Linda Derrah May 2012

Charlotte Yorston Regional Director Maritime Region 2010 - 2012 presents the Leah Bell Award to Linda Derrah.

Charlotte was a wonderful Regional Director - I hope I can do half as well as Charlotte.

An update on our International Project

 August 15th, 2012 

Dear Y’s Menettes 

As your new Project Coordinator I welcome you all to a new Y’s Menette Season. Hope you will
have the courage and efforts to work for our new project which is: Centre for HIV – AIDS
Awareness programmers and Educational Support to AIDS affected/infected destitute
children, Kerala, India. 

The project:

To provide comprehensive and holistic care for the vulnerable people affected and infected by
HIV/AIDS.

To integrate socio medical issues specifically stigma and discrimination addressed by patients living
with HIV/AIDS in North Kerala. India is a home to 2 to 3 million HIV patients, recent evidences
suggest that Indian HIV epidemic is stabilized and it is essential to prevent any new infections in
future.

For this we need more accessible VOLUNTARY CONFIDENTIAL COUNSELLING & TESTING
(VCCT) centre and clinical care providers. A follow up team and volunteers are required.


Activities:

1. Individual and Group Counseling; to establish three VCCT centre in North Kerala by supporting
capacity building programmers.

2. Support treatment for all infected people especially opportunistic infections. Training of doctors
and paramedical staff.

3. Education seminars, support group information. Conduct education seminars in high school,
colleges and among vulnerable community.

4. Education on prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (couple counseling, support
during pregnancy).

5. Mainstreaming HIV experience. (Conducting seminars and experience sharing of positive
speakers)

6. Accurate HIV/AIDS information - e.g. transmission, prevention, local services, etc. (developing
material/posters, short films in promoting general awareness at community level. This helps in
reduction of stigma and discrimination)

7. Strengthening care options (the existing care centre must be provided with information of recent
trends and developments of care and supports.

8. Risk reduction training among vulnerable groups.



Price: 29.000 US $. 


Gurli Holm
Nøddevænget 17
DK-9230 Svenstrup / Denmark

Phone: +45 9838 1069

E-mail: holm.gh@mail.dk 

Y´s Menettes International  Project Coordinator 2012-14


Background: 

In the area around Cochin there is much large industry and more is under construction. Many flats
housing more than 5.000 people are employed in this industry. About 80 % of the people working
in the industries are migrated from states like Assam, Bengal, Bihar, Orissa about 2.000 km from
Mattakuzhi.

Operators of trucks and Oil tankers coming to the above factories for supplying raw materials and
collecting refined oil or other products may stay there for two or three days. These workers and
vehicle operators mentioned above during their stay away from home may be tempted for sex.
Many experiment sex with drugs and alcohol.

Through those activities, people become vulnerable to HIV infection. Victims in most cases are
women and children from the poorest of the poor and marginalized families. Some of the children
are taken from streets and brought up in orphanages and they also might be infected. Proper
counseling and awareness programmers may improve the situation. By providing educational
support to HIV/AIDS infected children they can be enabled to earn their own livelihood. 

The project applicant: YMCA Mattakuzhi in South West India. There is 2 Y’s Men Clubs related to
the project, YMC of Mattakuzhi and YMC of Rock City. 

In Stavanger during the International Convention I met some people from India, who know the
project, and they promised me to send photos and information, which I will share with you as soon
as I get it. 

I want to thank Kumiko Nishimura for her excellent work as International Project Coordinator
2010-12. I will do my best to continue her job.

Y’sly greetings
Gurli Holm

About our 2012-2014 International Project 'Centre for HIV-AIDS Awareness' Kerala, India: Gurli Holm from Denmark

Annual Report from International Project Co-ordinator

July. 2012

Dear Y’s Menettes,

Time flies so fast. This is the end of the term to serve as an International Project Co-ordinator.
I would like to thank all of you who supported our Project.

Our International Project 2010-2012 “NIGERIA – Quality Water For The Eruwa Camp –
US$ 30,000” was a big project. In the duration of the July 01, 2010 to June 30, 2012, we have
received about 23,000 USD which is not enough for this project, but we have more than enough
balance from previous years so we can pay off from our account.

As I have stated on my report last year, we are making the installment for this project in 4
times. On April 20th 2011, we have made the first installment of USD 9,000.00 (8254.80 CHF)
to the National Council of YMCA’s of Nigeria which is 30% of the total amount approved. The
second 30% installment was made on April 04th 2012 after we received the report from Eruwa
Camp. Another installments of 30% and final 10% will be made after receipt of satisfactory
reports about the project's progress and the final report.

Please refer to the attached report from them.

Menettes International Project 2012-2014
Thank you very much for voting to our new International Project.
Here is the results.

“Information Technology & My Successful Future” – Sao Paulo , Brazil ------ 5 votes
“Centre for HIV-AIDS Awareness…” – Kerala , India -----------39 votes
“Training for Deaf Youth..” – Kenya ------------------------27 votes

Therefore our new project will be:
“Centre for HIV-AIDS Awareness…” – Kerala, India – about CHF 26,000.00

Our new 2012 -2014 Y’s Menettes International Project Co-ordinator is Ms. Gurli Holm from
Denmark. We offer our support and best wishes to Gurli for her 2 year term as our Project
Co-ordinator.

Thank you very much for your continuous cooperation and support.
Y’sly yours,

Kumiko Nishimura
International Y’s Menettes Project Co-ordinator 2010-2012

More fall news from Patricia RD

Dear Y’s Menettes Presidents,

Below are several items that will be of interest to you. They were sent to me from Carole Dunbar, our Area Director Y’s Menettes and I have cut and pasted them in this email.

1. The Savanna La Mar Project, 2. information about the new International Director for Y’s Menettes, and 3. an update about our International Project for HIV-AIDS in India.

Number 4. was sent in an earlier email because of it’s urgency and 5. is the date of the District Council Meetings also known as the District Conclave.

There are two attachments to this email. If you don’t receive them please let me know.

1. Savanna La Mar Project

From the Area Canada & Caribbean, we were able to send $1,320.00 (converted to US$) to Savanna La Mar Y’s Menettes to assist their efforts to equip ‘The Source’ Youth Resource Centre in Jamaica. I have received confirmation from the Club in Jamaica, with much thanks, that they have received the funds. The greater portion of these funds was collected from Maritimes Region Y’s Menettes with the additional $500 contributed by the Pictou County Y’s Men’s Club. Thank you all for this support of our Area.

2. International Director for Y’s Menettes

The new International Director for Y’s Menettes is Grete Baekgaard Thomsen of Denmark. Her term began on July 1, 2012 and her email address is gbt@pigespejder.dk. At our Regional Meeting in Saint John in May, Canadian/Caribbean Area Y’s Menettes requested that contact be made with the Y’s Men expressing concern about the new structure proposed for International Council. As Area Director for Y’s Menettes, I did write to express this concern to the Y’s Men through Canadian Area Director, Thayne Jenkins, as well as International Director Grete and her predecessor, Shoko. I have not heard anything back.

3. Y’s Menettes International Project

The new coordinator for Y’s Menette’s International Project is Gurli Holm of Denmark. Attached is her letter advising that the new project for 2012-2014 is the Centre of HIV-AIDS Awareness Programmers and Educational Support to AIDS-affected/infected destitute children in Kerala, India. For Area Canada & Caribbean I heard from just four Clubs with their choices and which were submitted – two votes for India, one vote for Internet Technology in Brazil and one vote for Training Deaf Youth.

Also attached is Annual Report from past International Project Coordinator, Kumiko Nishamura, in which she provides an update for the 2010-2012 Y’s Menettes International Project in Nigeria. In Saint John there was some concern about moving to a new project when there were not sufficient funds raised for the Nigeria Project. Kumiko has provided the answer to that question in her report.

4. Fall Gathering

Again at our Regional Meeting in Saint John, Y’s Menettes confirmed there is definite interest in holding a meeting/training session for Y’s Menettes of the Area – similar to the meeting held in November 2010. Based on that, I have booked the Debert Hospitality Centre for November 3 & 4, 2012. Meals and accommodations will be covered by the Area but numbers may be limited due to availability of funds. It is my hope that every Club will support a representative. I also would like to hear from Y’s Menettes soon if you have any ideas on format/discussion topics, etc. PLEASE CIRCULATE THIS INFO AS I NEED TO MAKE A DEPOSIT TO HOLD THE SPACE – I would like confirmation of interest/numbers.

5. Area Council Meeting  

To be held in Amherst on October 13th, 2012. The time is not firm yet, but according to Earl Foster it is usually held from 10am to 3pm.

Y’sly and with affection,

Patricia

Patricia des Champs
Regional Director Y’s Menettes

News for your September meeting from Patricia RD

Hello Presidents Sharon in Amherst,

Kay at Capitals in Fredericton,

June at Epsilon in Fredericton,

Andrea of Pictou County,

Marjorie of Riverview,

Carol in Sydney,

and Judy our contact in Charlottetown,

My goodness, fall has arrived. The air is fresh and cool. Fall is such a lovely time of year. Our Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival starts this Tuesday here in Fredericton. If any of you are coming from away, I have an extra room and you are most welcome.

There was a squirrel in my large maple tree this morning. He broke off a small piece of branch with about a dozen leaves and off he went. He is building his winter retreat! I am sure our seven Maritime Region clubs are planning for fall and winter too. Our Area Director, Carole Dunbar has sent along some important information for your September meeting. Please share it with your members.

If you can, please contact me about members of your club who will attend the Fall Gathering November 3rd and 4th in Debert, NS. Because numbers may be limited due to availability of funds, please let me know if your club will help with funding your members who plan to attend. What a great opportunity to train new members and reaffirm training with established members.

I have cut and pasted Carole’s information below.

Fall Gathering

Again at our Regional Meeting in Saint John, Y’s Menettes confirmed there is definite interest in holding a meeting/training session for Y’s Menettes of the Area – similar to the meeting held in November 2010. Based on that, I have booked the Debert Hospitality Centre for November 3 & 4, 2012. Meals and accommodations will be covered by the Area but numbers may be limited due to availability of funds. It is my hope that every Club will support a representative. I also would like to hear from Y’s Menettes soon if you have any ideas on format/discussion topics, etc. PLEASE CIRCULATE THIS INFO AS I NEED TO MAKE A DEPOSIT TO HOLD THE SPACE – I would like confirmation of interest/numbers.

Y’sly,

Patricia

Patricia des Champs
Regional Director Y’s Menettes