State Events Chair ~ Merry Gerrett

Hello everyone. Can I please say what a great job I have being the chair of State events. 

The SEMINAR was the greatest. The members made me laugh and cry. But I’ve been told I’m a cry baby. It was like -17 below and it was dang cold but you came out and supported.  

We did the hippie seventy theme and I can say most folks dressed the part. We had photo ops, 1970 games, 1970 music and best of all the history corner. 

What was that you say??? Well Gary Kopta had some great pictures and newspaper articles!!! We set up a corner for members to see what has been done over the years but mostly in the beginning!! Pictures of Jim, Vince and Fiz were on display, oh the memories we all got to see. Thank you to Gary and others that made that happen.

The silent and live auction was big again. Some even said it lasted too long BUT I got done with 15 minutes to spare before the music started. And we made money for the state.  Which we needed.  

Region 10 had the most members in attendance and won a pretty cool trophy. But there were a lot of regions that came and represented their little piece of the state. Just as long as everyone had a nice time I’m good

Butch And Danny Brown started a new fun crazy omgoodness watermelon challenge. Want to find out what it was all about. Ask any member (KIM) that was there. We laughed a lot!!

Breakout sessions went well we had a few new ones that we haven’t done before. The History of ABATE , Autonomous vehicle, Flocks and How to build membership and retain members. We try to have a few new ones every year but it’s important to have Legislative, MRF, Dondi’s Wisdom. In fact you requested two hours and we made that happen. 

The hotel had some computer glitches but worked very hard to correct them.  Things happen!  Then because it was so darn cold outside, the hotel’s heater couldn’t keep up in the pool area. So unless you wanted to get out of the pool soaking wet and then freeze your tushy off it had to be shut down. Things happen. I for one don’t care for the cold and was far too busy to worry about it. It’s very hard to find hotels that let us do what we do. This hotel bent over backwards to welcome us. So if these were some of the issues I say there was plenty of other things to do. This was our first year back at this location and if I go by the sheets members filled out most were happy with the location and the seminar.  Not perfect but what is. I took lots of notes and made lots of lists!!!! 

So with that being said 2027 is already off to a great start. It will be set in the 1800s with the wild Wild West!!! Can you image the fun. My committee is already gathering the things to make it even better than this year. Are you in???? I’ll be there and will be waiting for you!!

I have presale field meet tickets. If your region needs some please let me know.  I got you. I’ll mail you some to sell at the discounted prices. 

As always thank you for attending thank you for voting thank you for making ABATE one of the best organizations ever. 

Also thank you so much for voting to make me Member of the Year. It is an honor. 

Sincerely 

Merry Garrett

And her marvelous awesome great committee.