Connecticut Red Hat Society Chapter News

Queens' Court of North Central Connecticut

The Queens Court of North Central Connecticut began in the summer of 2004 when I sent invitations to all the Queens in the area to meet for dinner at the Olive Garden on the evening of August 19^th. There were 18 of us at the first meeting. I had favors at each place and each sister rose and told her story. We decided that we should have our own website for which I am webmaster. Interest was also expressed in having an area convention and a committee was formed.
The Queens Court met every month for awhile and then settled into a pattern of meeting every two months. Someone said that I needed a title and came up with the name The Grand Poohbah. After researching the origin of the title I was more than happy to accept it. (One who is overly impressed with their own importance.) .
It took us a while to develop our large list of Queens. Now we have around 50 ladies on our membership list and have around 35 Queens at each meeting. Every so often I go online and send an invite to any new Queen in our area.
As I was funding our activities out of my own pocket it was decided to collect dues to pay for the website, the favors and computer/copying expenses, etc.We are also registered as an official Red Hat Society Chapter. The Queens' Court of North Central Connecticut. # 69492
It took us awhile to develop an agenda that seems to work for most of us. In the beginning we went around the group and asked each person to comment or discuss any problems. Not everyone had something they wanted to share but felt it was expected of them so it took far too much time. Now at each meeting each Queen is Welcomed with a small token gift, we introduce newcomers, and recognize Birthdays. We also allow time for ladies to discuss any problems they are experiencing with their Chapters. The meetings are an excellent opportunity for people to share upcoming events and to give me information they would like posted on our website. I have also posted many ideas for chapter activities on the site. We draw Door prize winners and close each meeting by setting the date and place for the next gathering. I supplied the first door prizes. Now each person who wins a prize is expected to bring a prize for the next meeting.
There were only 5 of us at the first Convention committee meeting but the number has risen to 12. This is our fourth Convention and we have become a well oiled machine. Over the years we have found the strengths of our committee members and we use those strengths as much as possible. The committee meets frequently in the months just prior to the convention. And there is also a great deal of work done by members in between the committee meetings. Planning for next year's Affair begins as soon as this year's Affair ends.
This year we have every confidence that the Hartford/Windsor/Airport Marriott in Windsor will help us to make this the best Convention yet. The first one was held in 2005 in Enfield at the Crowne Plaza on the day of the October flood. The next year we ended up in the middle of a war between the Colony in Vernon and Maneeley's Inc who catered the Affair. As a result it took at least 2 hours for some ladies to be served. And last year the chef didn't plan for the right number of ladies. This Year We Got it Right!! The April 2009 Convention was perfect. Everything went as planned and the food was wonderful!!