Hip hip HOORAY! Liz Mendel has agreed to fill the hole in our GEMS life as new leader!

I, Susan, will be assisting Liz, so that efforts seem seamless. Liz and I will be planning together for the upcoming Jan./Feb. kick off GEMS luncheons for 2010.

We have some updates and changes in the GEM Lunches.

Hopefully this posting will make everyone aware of what is going on.

GEM Lunches are set for bi-monthly lunches. Interested attendees and table hosts are asked to email Susan Kingsley, Susan@SusanKingsley.biz with their interest in being a participant in lunches or their interest in being a Table Host/Group Leader. The next set of lunches is going to be in the January-February months, due to all of the holiday festivities going on. The 2 lists passed at the last luncheon did not make it around the room, and some members were not in attendance, so we might not be aware that you are interested. If you have already signed up and attended GEMS this year, you are already in the list. If you are a Group Leader/Table Host and no longer wish to host, please contact Susan Kingsley, Susan@SusanKingsley.biz All of the interested participants appreciate Table Hosts/Group Leaders that want to be involved and make the time to assure the groups meet on a bimonthly basis.

The list of Group Leaders and  Attendees will be emailed to all Group Leaders. The attendance from your group is reported after the meeting to the GEMS Leader. Group Leaders will email the GEMS Leader and other Group Leaders with their lunch date and location. It is important to know who met with what group, so we can try not to duplicate the same groups at future lunches.

Table Hosts email their interested participants and offer a few dates available for a luncheon. The group emails back their availability and the host sets a lunch date with a local restaurant that is on the east side of town and is convenient for the group to arrive at. The lunches can last 1-2 hours, depending on the group’s time availability. The Group Leader contacts the restaurant ahead of time and lets them know the number in the party and that it is a business luncheon, with limited time for the lunch, so the lunch server can be prepared. If the Group Leader is unable to attend her luncheon, due to conflict, the group should be able to meet as planned, with one of the group members keeping track of attendance for the group leader.

This is a casual luncheon, which offers new and existing members to get to know each other. Attendees not able to attend their group luncheon can contact their Table Host/Group Leader and the Leader can let them know alternate groups they can join. It is not intended for the groups to become too large for a casual lunch and some groups not having enough Attendees. This option is solely so that Attendees can enjoy a luncheon each period.

Your cooperation and assistance is appreciated. We are trying to make this an enjoyable experience for everyone.