In this season of gratitude, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to the women who attended the recent President’s Appreciation Celebration. While the event honored our activity leaders for the amazing work they do to make Newcomers & Friends possible, it also gave us a meaningful opportunity to hear how the club has enriched the lives of its members.

Those who attended were invited to reflect on what membership in the club has meant to them. Their comments spoke warmly of friendships made, wonderful people met, and a renewed sense of purpose. Members shared how much it means to be welcomed when they are new to a community; to meet interesting, accomplished and fun women; to learn new things and visit new places; and to enjoy camaraderie, companionship, confidence, and fellowship. Again and again, we heard how special it is to walk into any activity and feel genuinely welcome.

The celebration also reminded us of the heart of our club. We are an organization created to welcome people into the community. Our members come from many places, backgrounds and life experiences, and we naturally bring a variety of viewpoints. That diversity is one of our strengths. To  remain true to our welcoming spirit, each of us has a responsibility to express our views with kindness, listen with openness and treat perspectives different from our own with genuine respect. Every member should feel heard, valued and included, even when we do not all agree.

As we look ahead, please help us continue building the strongest and most welcoming organization possible by completing the club survey recently emailed to all members. Share what you value most about the club, what you’d like to see in the future, and how we can continue expanding our activities and membership. Your voice matters and your thoughtful feedback will directly help shape the future of the club.

You can access the survey by clicking here:  Member Survey

Brenda,

President, Newcomers & Friends of Central Kentucky