At our August 7 meeting, Kathy installed the 2014-15 officers and led a ceremony focused on reflecting upon our goals and rededicating ourselves to our weight loss journey. I feel confident that I can speak for everyone who attended that it was a moving and motivational ceremony.

Before I go into the details and highlights of the ceremony, I want to thank Kathy for all her hard work. The ceremony was inspirational to me, and I am sure that it was to others, also. I can’t convey in words what a beautiful ceremony it was visually with the candles shining in the dim light, as well as it being emotionally and spiritually moving.

Here are the highlights:

Kathy presenting the rededication ceremony.

Officer Installation

Outgoing Officers

Officers were installed. Kathy gave each officer their charge. Here are Kathy’s words to us:

Incoming Officers

Patty, as our new Treasurer, you are essential to us, as you keep track of all of our monies coming in and going out. You have the task of keeping track of our funds. This Treasure Chest charm represents the job you will do this year. It also represents the many thanks from the rest of us for taking on this job. We appreciate you and your willingness to serve.

 

Jana, this Explorer charm represents you. As Secretary, you will keep track of our meeting notes. As a techy person, you are helping to bring our TOPS club into the real and virtual world. We appreciate your willingness to take us into the 21st century as we explore avenues to keep TOPS relevant in this day and age of technology. We appreciate you and your willingness to serve.

 

Bert, this crown represents the many hats you will wear as Co-Leader. You have just stepped down as Leader and you have a great knowledge of what is happening with TOPS, with our local club and with each office. We appreciate you and your willingness to serve.

 

Darcy and Betty, our Weight Recorder and her Assistant. You all are such a pleasure to be around. Your gentle spirits soothe us as we approach that scale each week. Darcy, this heart has a key inside which represents the wealth of information you keep track of for us for our International organization. The pearls represent the members of the club and our gift of doing the right thing each week so that we can approach the scale with confidence. Betty, this timepiece charm represents the timeliness, the reminder that we are accountable to ourselves and each other each week. We appreciate both of you and your willingness to serve.

 

Jessie, this door represents your new office as Leader. You will lead us through this door and on our journey for next year. It looks like a Secret Garden door. May we find friends and support for each other as we move through this door. We appreciate you and your willingness to serve

 

And we have one last charm.

 

Patty, how privileged we are to have the State Coordinator here in our chapter. This charm represents the Life Line TOPS is for us and you are at one end. But remember, that we are here for you. This is a big year for you. Don’t forget that we are at the other end and we are here for you, too! We appreciate you and your service to TOPS!

Rededication Ceremony

Next Kathy led us in a rededication ceremony. From the Rededicaton Ceremony*:

The installation of new officers marks the beginning of a new TOPS year – a perfect time for all members to remember what brought them to TOPS in the first place, and to rededicate themselves to continue their quest – whatever it might be

Kathy lit candles symbolizing continuity from one year’s officers to the next, support from fellow TOPS members, TOPS and KOPS pledges, movement (e.g., exercise), and a food plan. The lights were turned off and we took a moment to reflect upon our personal thoughts.

Lighting candles

*The rededication ceremony was written by Area Captain Jeanie Druebert.

Call to Order

The meeting was called to order by Jessie. All members participated in the flag salutes and TOPS pledge. Kathy and Betty K. recited the KOPS pledge.

Roll Call

Bert called roll: Present were 17 TOPS and 2 KOPS, for a total of 19 in attendance.

We lost 12.75 lbs and gained 15 lbs, for a net gain of 2.25 lbs.

Patty was the TOPS and fresh weight best loser, and Betty K. was the KOPS best loser.

Contests

Macaroni contest: Lelia drew a white macaroni. Money was collected for next week’s drawing.

Announcements

Patty will be having surgery Sept. 2. We all wished her well.

Fun Day is Saturday in Shattuck. Hawaiian Luau is the theme. The pre-party is at Maxi’s house Friday night. All are encouraged to come even if they can’t make it to Fun Day.

New Business

It’s time once again to review and revise the bylaws. So far, a few changes were made, including the following:

• The weigh-in time has been extended to 6:00 PM instead of 5:45 PM as stated in the bylaws.
• Wording regarding chapter dues was changed. While rates did not change, they will now be collected yearly instead of monthly.
• Changes in reimbursement for chapter “housekeeping” items has changed. Most notably, expenses greater than $15 will need approval by the group before the expense is incurred.

The above is our progress so far. We had to table the discussion due to time. We have a guest speaker next week, so revisions are tabled for two weeks. Be sure to come join the discussion. The bylaws state who we are as a chapter, and we can only do that if we have input from everyone.

Also, Allie distributed a handout with some ideas for changing the way SRD funds are allocated. We have lots to discuss!

Next Week’s Topic

As mentioned earlier, a guest speaker is coming to deliver the program next week. She will be explaining the glycemic index and discussing the “Glycemic Load Diet.” This will be great information for all!

Closing

The meeting closed with prayer.

(L-R) Bert, Jessie, Linda, Jana.

TOPS OK0013 2014-15 Officers

Officer elections were held at our July 3, 2014 regular meeting. I’m happy to report that everyone ran a clean campaign and mud-slinging was kept to a minimum. In addition, there were no problems with hanging chads. Newly elected officers are as follows:

Co-leader: Bert
Secretary: Jana
Treasurer: Linda

And our fearless leader will be…

Jessie!

Congratulations new officers, and thanks for doing such important jobs for our chapter! Also, thank you to the outgoing officers for a year of hard work. Our chapter couldn’t have had the successes we did this year without you!

For this week’s program, Jana and Maxi presented, “Get Physical.” The program emphasized making exercise fun. We watched a video of Jana and Maxi doing different exercises, learned the Electric Slide, and had a scavenger hunt. They also handed out, “TOPS 10 Free Ways to Exercise in and around Stillwater,” which was a list of low or no cost ways to exercise.

Patty, Tammy, Jessie, and Allison were the team that won the scavenger hunt. Congrats, guys! They were definitely the most imaginative! Lol.

Click the link below to get the printable pdf of the handout:

TOPS 10 Free Ways to Exercise in or Around Stillwater

Below is the video we watched to learn the Electric Slide.

http://youtu.be/XGx1ebUxMCE

Wayne was the fresh weight Best Loser.

What a Great Loser!

Wayne was this week’s fresh weight Best Loser. He is on quite a losing streak! Great job, Wayne. We know what hard work and dedication it takes to lose like you have been doing.

Jana (not pictured) was this week’s TOPS Best Loser.

April 17, 2014 Regular Meeting
Bert called the meeting to order.

Best Losers

Wayne was the fresh weight Best Loser.

Betty K. was this week’s KOPS Best Loser.

Allison was this week’s TOPS Best Loser.

We are very proud of this week’s losers! Way to go. We know what hard work it takes to lose, and y’all did a great job! Congrats.

Meeting Highlights: April 10, 2014

Bert called the meeting to order.

Roll Call

Darcy called roll.
Present were 15 TOPS and 2 KOPS for a total of 17.
We lost 24.25 lbs and gained 9.5 lbs for a net loss of 14.75 lbs.
Allison was the TOPS Best Loser, Wayne was the fresh weight Best Loser, and Betty K. was the KOPS Best Loser.

Minutes

The minutes were approved as read.

Announcements

Awards

Darcy was the 1st place winner in division 2.
Helen C. received a charm for a loss after her birthday.

SRD
Those attending SRD filled out registration forms and ordered t-shirts, if desired.

Fun Day

The next Fun Day is in Stillwater on April 26th. On the menu is chicken salad, stuffed tomatoes, and wedding cake for dessert. Registration is $3 and the meal is $6. Members are encouraged to bring toiletries for the homeless shelter in Stillwater. There will be prizes for the best bouquet, which can be made from fresh silk, or other materials. There will also be a prize for the best dressed wedding person.

In August, the Fun Day will be in Shattuck. Chapter members are also invited to stay Maxi’s house in Ringwood (approx. 1/2 way between Stillwater and Shattuck) the night before. “Even if you can’t go to Fun Day, come to the party,” Maxi invites.

Closing

The meeting closed with prayer.

Welcome Sharon!

Sharon Delaware is our newest TOPS member.

Our TOPS chapter welcomes a new member, Sharon Delaware. Sharon has been around the world, and we are glad that she has found her way to Stillwater and our chapter. Read about her journeys, below.

Meet Sharon
Sharon was born in Kentucky and grew up in West Virginia. Her father was a coal miner and her mother was a house wife. She graduated high school in 1964 and went to work for the U.S. Dept of Agriculture in Washington, D.C. She took an assignment to the American Embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina. When she returned to D.C., she had plans to attend college and was able to do that on a part-time basis for several years. She transferred to the Treasury Dept. and worked overseas at the American Embassy in London, U.K. for one tour of duty. Upon return, she met her husband, Bob, and had their daughter. At that time, she transferred to the Central Intelligence Agency where she was able to work part-time in order to spend more time as a mom. Her husband planned to retire from his government job with the Bureau of Indian Affairs in 1993 when their daughter was 12 years old. Fortunately, Sharon was able to take an early retirement and they moved to Prescott, Arizona in July 1993. She continued to work part-time for the school system until their daughter graduated high school. They moved to OK in late 2000 to be near her husband’s family (due to illness) and returned to AZ in June 2005, where they planned to live out their lives. Their daughter finished college in AZ, met her husband and brought him here to meet the extensive family. “He fell in love with the state and they made plans to move here, but would not leave us behind,” says Sharon. Sharon and her family all moved to Stillwater in Sep 2012. Sharon and her husband are devoted to their 21-month-old grandson, and they see him often. They attend the Crosspointe Free Will Baptist church where they sing in a small group and are making new friends.