News And Events
Report of the 2013 ESU-US Annual General Meeting
Event Recap
All members of the Seattle Branch can be proud of the Planning Committee's year-long efforts to host an outstanding national conference. The Washington Athletic Club was just the right size for the number of attendees; the newly remodeled facilities, the Crystal room especially shone on our main speaker events.
Wednesday/MOHAI: We began with a tour of this newly remodeled and state of the art historical museum in the Armory building on South Lake Union. Many arrived by trolley. We gathered in the Norcliffe Room overlooking the Lake with sailboats and schooners nestled in their berths just outside the windows. The Seattle contingent gave a giant "shout out" of welcome to our early visitors. Arranged by Clint Miller - 45 attendees.
Thursday/Museum of Flight: Another sunny day and our guests could see Mt. Rainier on the way to the Museum. Outgoing Chair Pat Schroeder was the guest of honor as we welcomed the incoming chair, Josiah Bunting, a true renaissance man. Brien Wygle, a former VP of Boeing, regaled us with tales of his life as a Boeing test pilot. Arranged by Fred Kleinschmidt -117 attendees.
Friday/WAC Luncheon: Michael Schein, local author of "Bones Beneath Our Feet," a historical fiction narrative about Chief Leschi, the Battle of Seattle and Leschi's subsequent trial, spoke to us about "The Secret Life of Language" which tied in beautifully with the Conference theme. Arranged by Sandra Boyd - 106 attendees.
Friday/Patrons Party at the Diocesan House: without a doubt, this was the best of its kind in ESU-US history. For the first time, patrons were bussed to the event and were wined and dined as never before. A singing bard strolled throughout, delighting everyone. We could only accomplish this feat of hospitality by generous donations of food, wine and underwriting of about $2000 of goods and services. WOW! Arrangements by Julie Albright, caterer, Loveday Conquest & Fred Kleinschmidt, Larry Woodin, Betty Carter & Bob Schramke, Dick McGrath & Charlotte Henke and a host of others - 99 attendees.
Saturday/WAC Luncheon: A conference highlight, the Very Reverend Dr. John Hall, Dean of Westminster Abbey, related how Westminster Abbey has been in the center of Britain's history for more than a thousand years, having served as the site of 16 royal weddings, the final resting place of 17 monarchs and the coronation church for every crowned monarch since 1066. Arranged by ESU-US. 154 attendees (*44 Episcopalians).
Saturday/Cruise to Tillicum Village: Undaunted by the heavy rains, we boarded our own ESU chartered boat for this delightful adventure into Indian lore, baked salmon and tribal dancing. We were enchanted by the twinkling lights of Seattle's harbor upon our return. Arranged by Julie Albright - 96 attendees.
Sunday/WAC Breakfast: Members were entertained by debate teams brought together by the Claremont McKenna College. The first team were brilliant students from Eugene, Oregon middle schools. The second team were university students from England who debated an American college team. ESU-US has been doing pilot projects with Claremont McKenna for the past several years in inner-cities with the hope that such experiences will enhance vocabularies and thus raise expectations for the under- privileged. Arranged by ESU-US Education Director - 96 attendees.
As the AGM concluded, raffle tickets which were sold throughout the conference, were stirred and the lucky winners were the Kukos' of Indianapolis. Their prize is a one-week trip to anywhere in the world. A total of $1180 in raffle tickets will support the Seattle Branch Scholarship Fund.
New York staff arranged workshops for Shakespeare, English-In-Action, Fundraising, and Finance, as well as regional meetings. This was a great opportunity for our members to learn and get re-inspired to encourage "changing lives."
Post Conference tours were also well attended with Chihuly Gardens and Glass -19; Frank Lloyd wright -15 (also a fund raiser) and Victoria -18.
* Epiphany Episcopal Parish donated $500 to support the Conference.
