Time to change your calendars!
As announced at the holiday brunch, we had some uncertainty around the ongoing meeting location due to a rise in the rental fee at NDSCS. I’m happy to announce that we will be continuing to meet there through 2025! The auditorium works so well for our meetings and it will be nice to continue using it.
In order to keep the cost in check however, the board made the decision to reduce the amount of time each Saturday that we utilize the space. Our new contract times are 10:00am to 3:00pm. Even though we are decreasing our time by one hour, we hope the camaraderie and fun that we all enjoy will continue if we can be mindful of the following agenda and guidelines.
Saturday Agenda
- 10:15am – 12:15pm | Education
- 12:15pm – 12:30pm | Break
- 12:30pm | Meeting Called to Order.
- Programs will optimally run 30-45 minutes including the time for questions. In months where we need more time for FMQ business, the program may be reduced or skipped entirely at the discretion of the board.
- The meeting and announcements will be kept as brief as possible.
- The door prize drawing will be done as the show and tell line forms.
- Show and tell will consume the remainder of the time.
- 2:30pm | Meeting Adjourns
- 3:00pm | Everyone and everything FMQ-related must be out of NDSCS for the day.
Guidelines
- Doors will open at 10:00am. Please do not try to enter earlier.
- Feel free to bring lunch or a snack to eat quietly during the meeting.
- Please enter quietly if the meeting/program has started when you arrive.
- Everyone loves show and tell and we want everyone to have time to do so. Here are some reminders and new things we will try:
- Stand in the middle in front of the podium where everyone can see you and your item, including the photographer.
- Photographer(s) should center themselves in the first row for the best shots.
- If you wish to show multiple items, no problem. Show one and then return to the end of the line to organize the next one. This will give everyone a chance to shine without being rushed.
- We are asking for 4 volunteers to help with show and tell. If you do not have an item to show, consider helping out by holding or folding.
- Check around your seat as you leave to ensure you or a friend haven’t left a phone, a mug, or trash behind.
- Help clean up the refreshment table or lobby area on your way out.
- As always, anything you added to the free table should go home with you if it didn’t go to a new one.
2025 is going to be a great year for education, programs, and fellowship. Enjoy the holidays and join us at 12:30pm on January 18th for the general meeting.
Happy Holidays!
FMQ Board