President’s Message

2003-2004
International President
Mary Cotter

January 5, 2004

Dear Quotarians,

Happy New Year! I would like to extend my warmest wishes to everyone for a very successful and prosperous 2004.

Last month I traveled to New Zealand and Australia, and I had a wonderful adventure. Quota International Treasurer Carolyn Rice met me in Auckland and proceeded to chauffeur me around New Zealand, where we met with members from all of the clubs. It was the trip of a lifetime and included a side trip to White Island, an active volcano. In Australia I stayed with South Pacific Area Director June Young and her husband, Ken, who were wonderful hosts. June organized a picnic at Mount Tomah, where about 75 Quotarians representing 17 clubs and five different districts gathered. It was a fabulous day of friendship and fellowship. Thanks go to all of you who made my visit such a wonderful experience.

South Pacific Area Director June Young (left) and Treasurer Carolyn Rice (right) enjoyed the Mt. Tomah picnic.

The South Pacific Area Banner was displayed at the Mt. Tomah picnic. Here I am seated with Noela Williams, (left, QI of Lithgow) and Past International President Verna Stewart (right).

The rose garden at the Berrima Gaol was beautiful!

During my travels I visited the Shepherd Center and enjoyed meeting with the director.

I returned to Alaska on December 18 and immediately became engrossed in the holiday festivities. Three of my five children were in Fairbanks for Christmas. Fairbanks in December is interesting. The temperatures during the month ranged from 15 degrees Fahrenheit above zero to 30 degrees below zero, and we have approximately two feet of snow on the ground. This isn't too bad considering that our temperatures do not usually get above zero in December. On December 21, we experienced our "short" day with less than three and one-half hours of sunlight. On a more positive note, the Northern Lights have been very active and gorgeous to view.

January for Quota is a very busy month, including the new timing for the Board of Directors to get together for our mid-year meeting. The date for that meeting is January 22-25. (In years past, we held our Board of Directors Meeting in November in conjunction with our Governors Seminar. Due to the calendar change, Governors Seminar is now held in July in conjunction with convention.)

January is also the month for clubs to plan their projects for Quota Cares Month, held in March. A project can involve many aspects of your club's life. The project can be a community service activity that provides the chance to increase the visibility of Quota and, at the same time, can assist you in membership recruitment. The wonderful aspect of Quota is that with over 300 clubs, we have an unlimited potential for incredible projects. (To print a free, online Quota Cares Month Planning Kit, click here.)

Finally, January is the deadline for our non-SPA clubs to pay international, district, and club dues. The deadline for international dues is January 31.

So with all of that in mind, I wish you a wonderful first month to our new year.

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