Dear Pilots,
As I write my first newsletter message, I am remembering my recent trip to New Orleans where I learned about many Pilot International changes which will affect the clubs and I will be sharing with you over the next few months. Thank you very much for providing the opportunity for me to go. A group of 13 from Jasper and one from Demopolis and I rode there on the train. New Orleans is an old historic city and has some beautiful, interesting places. We were so busy we did not get to see much of it, however. The next conventions will be in Chicago, Orlando, Toronto, and Las Vegas.
Based on the surveys we completed, the PI Executive Director and the Executive Committee identified and formally recognized three core areas of service focus—Pilot’s Fundamental ABC’s—to which PI, Pilot Clubs, and Anchor Clubs will be encouraged to invest the majority of their time and philanthropic efforts. They are:
A Anchor Clubs (Youth Development & Leadership)
B Brain Safety & Fitness
C Caring for Families in Times of Need
The second week in November has been designated as “International Care & Kindness Week.” PI has approved an initiative called “Pick Me Ups” to promote an awareness of the unique needs of Family Caregivers. Materials will be available in August. Each delegate to the convention was given a Pick Me Up manual.
Pilot International is also developing a new website which will be more interactive. It is based on and designed by the engineer who designed the Kiwanis International system. Some of the new system will be available in August. It will enable clubs to track everything and share information more easily. PI will also be able to track what clubs are doing and evaluate areas of club strengths and needs.
New International officers elected and installed are:
President Judy Langley
President Elect Sherry Johnson
Vice President Shannon Cleghorn
Secretary Faith Stamps
Treasurer Karen Cupit
Director Stacey Chapman (Alabama ECR)
Director Deborah Hays
Director Connie Moore
The Cullman Executive Board will discussing the new initiatives in more detail and recommending changes and additions as necessary.
Thanks again for sending me to the convention, and thanks for answering the call to “Do More, Care More, and Be More” in our club and in our community every day.
See you Tuesday night.
In Pilot,
Peggy Day