As I prepare to go to nationals there are so many thoughts running through my mind. I'm anticipating the ride and the opportunity to do some long distance traveling; getting on my bike and enjoy some cruising with my friends. I'm very excited about seeing some friends I haven't seen in a long time and nationals allows us to visit for an extended period. I make a point of meeting new sisters every time I go to nationals; many of us are friends on facebook but have never really met in person and I try to at least say hello and acknowledge those relationships. Hopefully, I will meet new sisters also. There is so much diversity in this group, every one of these ladies has a unique story to tell and they also all share the common bond of the love of the ride.
The hosting chapter has put so much energy and thought into creating this event; it takes a year to pull one of these nationals together and it is an incredible amount of work but there is always enthusiasm, joy and desire for all the participants to have a great time. I see how tired our hostesses are but I also see the smiles and the light in the eyes, the appreciation when a compliment is given, the satisfaction when they see one of the guests really enjoying herself and the quiet absorption of how successful their efforts have been. They can and SHOULD be proud of how their chapter worked together and built this conference from an idea a year ago into a completed event this week.
As the women begin to arrive they start to look for others they have anticipated seeing. Many of the women congregate near the registration area just so they will see who is here and greet them right away. There are usually quick hellos and people head off to their rooms to drop off their luggage and freshen up a little bit but then its back out to the meeting room where there is a constant background noise of happy socializing and conversations, people greeting each other, chatting, laughing, hugs, introductions and plans being made to get together later. Multiple groups of people standing around talking and a wave of movement as friends drift between those small clusters and find other friends in a different cluster. It is a high energy, happy time of greeting and planning for the next couple of days.
We were offered opportunities to see many different sites in the area using assorted means of transportation and at different times of the day. They gave us an opportunity to experience some of the most beautiful, moving, heart touching exhibits of this countries dedication and pride in our military service personnel and we were invited to join in a special dedication ceremony which included woman Brigadier General Wilma Vaught. We had access to the capitol area during daylight and a special nighttime tour, there was info available for self guided tours and suggestions and helpful guidance was abundant for other explorations. There were multiple safety seminars planned for two days, we were invited to see two different films one evening, many chapters brought their logo items to sell in the vendor room and the ladies all appreciate being able to see and buy those items on the spot. There was a private voting area and a table with a jigsaw puzzle for anyone so inclined or who just needed a quiet place to sit for a few minutes.
The Saturday dinner banquet is a mixture of multiple emotions and efforts. It is considered "formal" although that has a very loose interpretation. This theme was red, white and blue. Some women come in evening gowns and heels, some are dressed as patriotic characters, some are in blue jeans and flag fabric t-shirts. Hats, necklaces, earrings, sunglasses, hair bands and tie clips are flashing red, white, blue lights around the room from many outfits and sequins reflect those flashing lights in other directions. This is a fun evening but it is also the last night of the conference. When the food is consumed, the awards are all handed out, the last announcement made, the band stops playing, the the dancing is done and the last person leaves the room it is time to start thinking about the trip home tomorrow. Everybody will try to say goodbye during breakfast in the morning but many of the ladies will be leaving very early and won't be seen again until the next national meeting.
I will remember this WITW Summer Nationals 2013 in detail just as I remember each of the others that I have attended. I will be encouraging my chapter sisters to do everything possible to attend the next one and share it with each other as a chapter. These nationals bring us together on a large scale and allow us to experience the local flavor of the hosting chapters arena while also strengthening us as an organization.
WITW Diamond Roses Chapter has beautifully represented the purposes of WOMEN IN THE WIND as a whole as well as their own unique chapter personality.
Thank you ladies of WOMEN IN THE WIND DIAMOND ROSES CHAPTER.
Written by Q aka Queen of Questions
The hosting chapter has put so much energy and thought into creating this event; it takes a year to pull one of these nationals together and it is an incredible amount of work but there is always enthusiasm, joy and desire for all the participants to have a great time. I see how tired our hostesses are but I also see the smiles and the light in the eyes, the appreciation when a compliment is given, the satisfaction when they see one of the guests really enjoying herself and the quiet absorption of how successful their efforts have been. They can and SHOULD be proud of how their chapter worked together and built this conference from an idea a year ago into a completed event this week.
As the women begin to arrive they start to look for others they have anticipated seeing. Many of the women congregate near the registration area just so they will see who is here and greet them right away. There are usually quick hellos and people head off to their rooms to drop off their luggage and freshen up a little bit but then its back out to the meeting room where there is a constant background noise of happy socializing and conversations, people greeting each other, chatting, laughing, hugs, introductions and plans being made to get together later. Multiple groups of people standing around talking and a wave of movement as friends drift between those small clusters and find other friends in a different cluster. It is a high energy, happy time of greeting and planning for the next couple of days.
We were offered opportunities to see many different sites in the area using assorted means of transportation and at different times of the day. They gave us an opportunity to experience some of the most beautiful, moving, heart touching exhibits of this countries dedication and pride in our military service personnel and we were invited to join in a special dedication ceremony which included woman Brigadier General Wilma Vaught. We had access to the capitol area during daylight and a special nighttime tour, there was info available for self guided tours and suggestions and helpful guidance was abundant for other explorations. There were multiple safety seminars planned for two days, we were invited to see two different films one evening, many chapters brought their logo items to sell in the vendor room and the ladies all appreciate being able to see and buy those items on the spot. There was a private voting area and a table with a jigsaw puzzle for anyone so inclined or who just needed a quiet place to sit for a few minutes.
The Saturday dinner banquet is a mixture of multiple emotions and efforts. It is considered "formal" although that has a very loose interpretation. This theme was red, white and blue. Some women come in evening gowns and heels, some are dressed as patriotic characters, some are in blue jeans and flag fabric t-shirts. Hats, necklaces, earrings, sunglasses, hair bands and tie clips are flashing red, white, blue lights around the room from many outfits and sequins reflect those flashing lights in other directions. This is a fun evening but it is also the last night of the conference. When the food is consumed, the awards are all handed out, the last announcement made, the band stops playing, the the dancing is done and the last person leaves the room it is time to start thinking about the trip home tomorrow. Everybody will try to say goodbye during breakfast in the morning but many of the ladies will be leaving very early and won't be seen again until the next national meeting.
I will remember this WITW Summer Nationals 2013 in detail just as I remember each of the others that I have attended. I will be encouraging my chapter sisters to do everything possible to attend the next one and share it with each other as a chapter. These nationals bring us together on a large scale and allow us to experience the local flavor of the hosting chapters arena while also strengthening us as an organization.
WITW Diamond Roses Chapter has beautifully represented the purposes of WOMEN IN THE WIND as a whole as well as their own unique chapter personality.
Thank you ladies of WOMEN IN THE WIND DIAMOND ROSES CHAPTER.
Written by Q aka Queen of Questions