NAWCC FLORIDA SUNTIME CHAPTER 19 Sunday, March 8, 2015 MART opens to General Admission at 8:00 AM LAKE MIRROR CIVIC CENTER 121 S. LAKE AVE LAKELAND, FL CHAPTEROFFICERS President Ed O’Brien Vice President Ken Pell Treasurer Bart Polachek Secretary Joanne Bebout Directors Roy Ramsey Jack Preddy Roger Moses Jerry Ragazinski ----- 2015 MEETINGS:  Jan 11  Mar 8  May 17  July 12  Sep 13  Nov 8 TABLE COVERS MANDATORY FOR ALL DEALER TABLES      7:30 Pre-Registered members only 9:00 – 10:00 FREE COFFEE AND DONUTS (Donations) 10:30 FREE workshop. --- Randy Jaye on Clock and Watch makers who helped build the modern world. 11:30 BUSINESS MEETING Maximum attendance is encouraged. FREE JIMBO’S BBQ LUNCHEON follows business meeting. TIME CHANGE MEETING HOPE EVERYONE RESET THEIR CLOCKS This meeting is a challenge for most of us, as so few actually live in Lakeland so we get up early to travel to this central location. On this day when the clocks have been set ahead the trip starts earlier, but the sharing makes it worth the effort. PROGRAM Randy Jaye, president of NAWCC Chapter 154 in Daytona stepped up to replace a planned speaker who backed out. This is actually to our benefit as Randy traces some of the real innovators who applied their skills, horological and other, to shape our world. It’s fascinating to look at some of the amazing contributions of our predecessors in watch and clock making. Take the opportunity to talk with Randy while he is at our meeting, and let him know you appreciate what he has done to make our website a reality. Randy is also the Chairman of the 2016 Mid-Winter Regional, scheduled for February (middle of winter) at the nearby Lakeland Convention Center. As if that’s not enough, Randy is running for election to the NAWCC Board of Directors. CHAPTER 19 MEETING PLACE We continue to be a little concerned about our meeting facility as it relates to attendance. Our most well-attended meetings have traditionally been during cooler months, but we did not see a very large group in November, and will assess attendance at this January meeting. The cost for the facility is a concern if we are paying for a much larger facility than needed. We have considered using one of the smaller meeting rooms at the Lakeland Convention Center, as they have many options to accommodate groups of varying sizes. One major obstacle to such a move would be the loss of our renowned Jimbo’s BBQ luncheon, as the convention center restricts food service to their contracted vendor. We are contracted with the Mirror Lake Center through the year, so no change is immediate, but the possibilities must be weighed. Input in the way of positive suggestions would be most welcome. 2015 FLORIDA REGIONAL Just a reminder that the NAWCC Regional in Kissimmee is happening in a couple of weeks. Registration can be handled at the NAWCC website. CHAPTER 19 LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES Two important Chapter 19 leadership opportunities are coming up. The organization needs vibrant and enthusiastic management to remain viable, so we hope some of you will carefully consider these leadership roles and how you can help Chapter 19 continue to be one of the finest and most successful groups in NAWCC: the Nominating Committee to express your willingness. CHAPTER PRESIDENT It seems like far in the future, but “our” MidWinter Regional (Chapter 19 is host chapter) needs a leader. Whoever steps into this position can be assured of a lot of help, as many of us have had significant roles in past events. By volunteering to take on this role early, you will have time to organize and orchestrate a well-planned regional. As many of you know, the office of chapter president is restricted by by-laws to two terms of two years each. My two terms expire at the end of 2015. Some chapters have by-laws that remove term limits, but my opinion is that the limits serve two very important roles: first is that someone agreeing to take the leadership role is not “stuck in the position forever” and second is that any organization needs new leadership and new ideas to thrive. I would encourage everyone to consider being nominated as a candidate for President, to enable Chapter 19 to continue serving its members. Talk with Jack Preddy or other members of CHAIRMAN, 2018 MIDWINTER REGIONAL The event is on the Lakeland Convention Center schedule for early February, 2018. We must name a chairman in a timely fashion. REMINDER: SILENT AUCTION TABLE IS A GREAT WAY TO TRANSFER OWNERSHIP OF YOUR EXCESSES AND A SUPER SOURCE FOR SOME OF THOSE “HARD TO FIND” ITEMS YOU ARE LOOKING FOR.