September 10, 2008

President Carolyn Cistulli called the meeting to order at 9:40 A.M. About 300 members were in attendance. Carolyn introduced herself and acknowledged the current board members. She then recognized past presidents in the room.

President’s Agenda

Carolyn introduced Secretary Ellen Bowler and asked for a motion to approve the minutes of the May meeting. The minutes were accepted.

Carolyn next introduced Treasurer Ray DiPietro.

Carolyn explained that all money the organization makes from raffles is donated to charities. Last year, the Nauset Newcomers donated $16,000 as follows:

Carolyn then introduced Don Ouellette, Webmaster. She reminded everyone that all Nauset Newcomer information is available on the Web site.

Carolyn explained the locations of the various groups (Raffle, Dine Out, Social, Activities, Nominating Committee) in the lobby; she mentioned that this year we also have a Bulletin Board.

Vice President Tom Harmon reminded members to pick up all coffee cups, napkins, etc. He stated that the Volunteer Handbook is available and reminded members to support the raffle, which generates the funds for our donations.

Committee Reports

Group Activities chair Larry Hayward reported that we have 37 active groups; three groups still need leaders: Day Trippers, Women’s Issues, and Women’s Poker. People can sign up for activities on the sign-up sheets at the general meeting, or they can sign up on the Web site. Anyone interested in starting a new activity can express interest on the sheet in the lobby or contact one of the committee members. Larry will help a leader start a new group.

Larry acknowledged the Group Activities committee members and thanked last year’s committee. He then named the current activity group leaders.

Two announcements: If anyone signed up for the walking group last year, they should sign up again; the garden club will have its first meeting on September 17 at 3:00 at St. Aubin Nursery in Eastham.

Two activities were spotlighted: Richard Synoradzki described “social” tennis for mixed doubles at Willy’s Gym, and Gil Lam talked about the Mt. Washington Hotel trip February 1-6.

Hospitality committee member Lynn Nelson thanked Board members (from this year and last) for providing food for the meeting. She asked for volunteers to bring food for next month’s meeting and sent around clipboards for sign ups.

Membership chair Pat Perry welcomed members, old and new. She announced that there are 714 members, 68 of whom joined since last May and 41 who joined today. The updated directory will be available in October.

Pat thanked the current membership committee and last year’s committee for their work. Karen Harmon then invited new members to introduce themselves.

Programs chair Bob DeLoye introduced the committee and thanked last year’s committee. He reviewed the long and short programs for upcoming general meetings.

Kay Nagle described Publicity activities: announcements of the general meetings in the media, presence at the Eastham Windmill Weekend, new bookmarks in libraries and information centers. Publicity is also trying to get a photographer to come to the Kickoff Clambake.

Raffle chair Christel Fjelde thanked the raffle committee for getting goods and certificates from businesses to raffle off. She urged members to buy raffle tickets.

Social Committee chair Bob Matson (dressed as a clammer!) thanked last year’s committee and introduced this year’s committee. He reviewed the schedule of fall activities, several of which are already sold out. Activities for the second half of the season will be announced at future meetings.

Dine-Out chair Jeff Barnes welcomed new and returning members. He described the dine-out committee, which has a three-year term for members. Fliers for the October and November dine-outs are available in the lobby.

After intermission, the raffle was held.

The meeting was adjourned after the raffle, at 11:35 A.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Ellen Bowler

October 8, 2008

President Carolyn Cistulli called the meeting to order at 9:33 a.m., welcoming the 222 members in attendance. She offered an inspirational quotation about being a friend.

President’s Agenda

Carolyn asked for a motion to approve the minutes of the September 10 meeting. The minutes were accepted. She then acknowledged treasurer Ray DiPietro.

The President reminded everyone that all Nauset Newcomer information is available on the Web site. Fliers for social events are put on the site two weeks after the general meeting in which they are announced.

Carolyn introduced Carole Ostapchuk, the Nominating Committee chairperson, who explained that the Nauset Newcomers, with all of its events and activities, is such a “well-oiled machine” because of the efforts of its Board of Directors. Carole reviewed the makeup of the Board, the “rules” for joining, and the good times that Board members have at their monthly meetings. After she introduced the Nominating Committee, she encouraged members to volunteer for next year’s Board of Directors.

Vice President Tom Harmon reported that the Volunteer Handbook is available.

Committee Reports

Group Activities chair Larry Hayward reported that there are sign-up sheets for five new activities. There are now 41 active groups. These are listed in the membership booklet. Larry reminded people that they can sign up for an activity on a sign-up sheet in the lobby or on the NN Web site. He had several announcements: Ramblin’ Roses would meet with Marcia DuBeau after this meeting, and those interested in the new Women’s Issues group should meet with Eileen Berquist after this meeting. The travel group is planning two international trips: to the Amalfi coast of Italy and to New Zealand.

Jack Chad spoke of the ski trips to Landgrove in Vermont; Newcomers can also go on their own, with a friend, for the same rate ($75.00/night).

Gil Lamb talked about the Mt. Washington Hotel trip. Details are available in the lobby.

Larry encouraged anyone interested in starting a new activity to indicate so on the sheet in the lobby. He will help new groups get started.

Hospitality committee member Lynn Nelson thanked those who brought food for the meeting. She asked for 20-25 volunteers to bring food for next month’s meeting and sent around clipboards for sign ups.

Membership chair Pat Perry announced that there are 851 paid members as of October 2. The membership handbooks are now available. Karen Harmon welcomed new members and asked them to introduce themselves.

Raffle chair Christel Fjelde reviewed the monthly raffle and described the bonus prizes for today. She urged members to buy raffle tickets.

Social Committee chair Bob Matson reviewed the November and December activities. The November trip to Newport is filled. The December dinner dance at Wequassett Inn has been moved from December 4 to December 2. Tickets are available in the lobby. The limit for this event is 210. Those who attend the dinner dance are being asked to bring a food bag to support Lower Cape Outreach. Social activities for the second half of the season will be announced at future meetings.

Dining Out chair Jeff Barnes reviewed the upcoming dine-outs. The October dine-out at the Red Inn is sold out for five nights. The November dine-out at Chillingsworth is sold out for three nights; a fourth has been added. The January dine-out will be at the Old Yarmouth Inn, and February will be a brunch at a place to be determined

Programs chair Bob Deloye reviewed the upcoming programs for November: the Marine Corps Toys for Tots program and Stephanie Murphy of Wood’s Hole. He then introduced today’s short program: Sally Short of the Cape Cod Hospital Auxiliary program.

After intermission, the raffle was held.

Bob Deloye introduced the long program: Homeless Prevention Council. Skip Johnson, Marj Rafael, and Maureen Lenehan described the organization’s efforts to prevent homelessness on the Cape and indicated they would welcome volunteers from the Newcomers.

The meeting was adjourned at 11:30 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Ellen Bowler

November 12, 2008

9:32-11:38

President Carolyn Cistulli called the meeting to order at 9:32 a.m. There were 180 members in attendance.

President’s Agenda

Carolyn asked for a motion to approve the minutes of the October 8 meeting. The motion was made and the minutes approved. She then acknowledged treasurer Ray DiPietro and indicated that the treasury is sound. She reminded those present that the Newcomers builds up its funds and gives donations to a variety of charities. On the subject of charity, she pointed out that those attending the December dinner dance are asked to bring a bag of groceries for Lower Cape Outreach, but anyone else may take a bag and make a donation of groceries.

In anticipation of the Marine Corps League’s entrance, Carolyn asked for a show of hands of veterans in the audience. The number was impressive. Bob Deloye introduced the Marine Corps League of the Cape and Islands, who marched in to the “Marine Corps Hymn.” They gave a brief presentation about Toys for Tots. All toys donated stay on the Cape. Members were asked to bring a new toy, unwrapped, to next month’s meeting. The presentation concluded with a pledge of allegiance.

Carolyn read a poem about saying “thank you” and being a friend. She then introduced Carole Ostapchuk of the Nominating Committee.

Carole pointed out the benefits of being on the Newcomers Board: fun at the monthly meetings, friendships, a sense of service and belonging. She reported that the committee has filled a number of positions on next year’s Board but still needs to fill more. She sent around clipboards for sign ups.

The president introduced Vice President Tom Harmon, who reminded everyone to pick up their coffee cups, plates, napkins, etc. He also reminded the members of the Suggestion Box. The Board welcomes suggestions as a way to make the organization work for the members.

Committee Reports

Group Activities chair Larry Hayward reported that the activities booklet is available at the Activities table. There are now 43 active groups; seven new ones have been added in the last two months. Larry spotlighted the international travel group, the singles group, the lunch bunch, the ski trip to Landgrove, the Day Trippers, and Women’s Golf.

Larry encouraged anyone interested in starting a new activity to see him or one of the committee members.

Hospitality spokesperson Lynn Nelson thanked the 25 people who brought food for the meeting. She passed around clipboards for sign ups for next month’s meeting.

Membership chair Pat Perry announced that there are now 900 paid members. She read the names of those who had joined since last month and asked them to come to the front to introduce themselves.

Raffle chair Christel Fjelde thanked members for buying raffle tickets, reminding the assembled group that the proceeds go to charity.

Social Committee chair Bob Matson introduced committee member Nancy Rogoff, who promoted the December 2 dinner dance at Wequassett Inn. She emphasized that this year they have stepped it up a notch with a photographer and a dance instructor. She promised that all those who come will have a great time. Bob continued, describing the bowling party, which is the January event.

Dining Out chair Jeff Barnes indicated that the only date still available for the November dine-out at Chillingsworth is November 21. The January dineout will be at the Old Yarmouth Inn, and February will be a lunch at Scargo Café.

The raffle was held after intermission.

Programs chair Bob Deloye introduced the long program: Stephanie Murphy, the Communications Manager of Woods Hole Institute. She gave an overview of the institute, spoke about a recent research cruise, talked about updates of the Alvin, and showed a brief clip about the institute that aired on the Today show.

The meeting adjourned at 11:38 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Ellen Bowler

December 10, 2008

January 14,2009

February 11, 2009

March 11, 2009

April 8, 2009