March 2019
SILC NEWS
A publication by the Samutprakarn International Ladies’ Club
IN THIS ISSUE
3. SILC needs YOU!
4. Committee roles
7. Play time at Place of Grace!
8. Dates for March & April
10. Out & about with SILC
20. Would you like to teach?
A WORD FROM OUR CHAIR Dear SILC members, Over the past two years the membership of SILC has grown to 170 ladies, who enjoy all that the club has to offer - be it learning new things, exploring Bangkok, making friends, volunteering or just having fun. The Committee is a group of ladies just like you who volunteer their time willingly to help with the organisation required by the club. And as the 2018/19 Committee year nears its end, we find ourselves at one of those junctures where many of the ladies holding key roles are in the process of change. We therefore need to look to the future to ensure that our club continues. Some current committee members have work commitments, others will be spending more time out of Bangkok, some are leaving and others - like me - have completed their two year tenure in a committee post. But that’s natural in a community such as ours, and is also a great opportunity to refresh things - with new energy and new ideas!
Rather than stumble into the 2019/20 year (which begins in May) with a completely new committee team, we would prefer to use the remaining months for a managed transition. Hence we are looking for members to step up now and begin a gradual handover, to ensure support and continuity. Please nominate yourself now so that we can ensure our club continues! For information, we are including again the summaries of each of the roles over the following few pages. Do get in touch if you have any questions! On a different note,I hope you like this month’s lovely cover image! The accompanying story can be found here. Please take the time to learn a little more about what the Community team does for detainees at the IDC and let Laura know if you would like to get involved. xx
Tracey
MORE ABOUT THE SILC COMMITTEE What is the SILC Committee? The Committee of SILC are a group of dedicated ladies who take on the responsibility for managing our wonderful club. How does the Committee work? The Committee is normally made up of between three and ten people, and meets regularly (normally the second Monday of each month) to make decisions about the direction of the organisation. The committee is responsible for making sure that the organisation sticks to its aims and objectives as detailed in the Constitution. What makes a good committee? Many of us know of examples of committees that don't work. These are committees where meetings drag on and no actions are agreed, committee members do not take part in discussions or are discouraged from doing so, personal differences make it difficult to focus on the business at hand and so on. To work well, the SILC Committee relies on the following:
● ● ●
Members who understand their responsibilities and role A good mix of skills, abilities and experience Commitment to the role and the aims of the club
What makes a good committee member? A good committee member: ● Commits to preparing for and attending meetings ● Has a good understanding of the organisation, what it does and how it does it ... ● Is not afraid to ask questions ● Agrees to stick to the majority decision ● Supports fellow committee members ● Acts as an advocate for the organisation Who makes up the Committee? There are three executive officer positions: • Chair • Treasurer • Secretary And a general committee of: • Membership • Online Media • Community Projects • Activities
WHICH SILC ROLE MIGHT BE RIGHT FOR YOU? TREASURER Overview of club finances; Monthly reporting for committee meetings; Financial stewardship.
SECRETARY Managing club admin; Facilitating and supporting monthly committee meetings
MEMBERSHIP Liaison for new members & enquiries; Create membership plan; Collect dues; Maintain database
CHAIR Directional guidance; Planning and running meetings; Representing SILC
COMMUNITY PROJECTS Liaison with member volunteers & recipients of funds; Development & oversight of all selected SILC community projects.
ONLINE/ MARKETING Promoting SILC activities to inform members, increase membership and raise funds (owned & earned platforms). Support with production of marketing materials.
ACTIVITIES Research, planning, promotion and operation of all SILC’s social activities and tours
WHICH SILC ROLE MIGHT BE RIGHT FOR YOU? Enjoy meeting people? ↪ Chair, Membership, Activities, Community Like to be behind the scenes? ↪ Treasurer, Secretary, Online Media/Marketing Good head for numbers? ↪ Treasurer, Chair, Community Good at organising? ↪ Activities, Chair, Community, Secretary, Membership Good computer, word processing & social media skills? ↪ Secretary, Chair, Online Media, Activities, Membership Creative? ↪ Online Media/Marketing Public Speaking? ↪ Chair, Membership Event Planning? ↪ Activities, Chair, Community
The kids from the slums in the Mahathai community of BangNa and attend the Place of Grace wanted to say a big thank to all SILC members for our recent purchase of this lovely new playground equipment. If you want to donate food or find out more, please visit their website: http://placeofgracebangkok.org/
COMING UP IN MARCH
Monday
4 English @ Prakasamai
Tuesday
5 Pretzel Workshop
Craft circle
11 English @ Prakasamai
12
Craft circle
18 English @ Prakasamai
Wednesday
Puppet museum visit
Craft circle
26
Saturday
Sunday
1
2
3
9
10
7 Gosnoop experience Zumba English @ Mahawong
8
13 Aqua Aerobics
14 Coffee Morning Zumba English @ Mahawong
15 Craft @ Mahawong Bungee workout
16
17
21 Zumba
22
23
24
30
31
20 Aerobics Mahjong
English @ Mahawong
Craft circle
25 English @ Prakasamai
Friday
6 Aqua Aerobics Craft @ Prakkasam. Mahjong
Mahjong
19
Thursday
27 Aqua Aerobics Mahjong
28 Zumba
Women’s Day lunch
Pretzel Workshop
29
English @ Mahawong
We try to schedule activities well ahead of time to allow you to plan your diaries, however please note these may change. Keep an eye on the SILC Facebook page and the next newsletter for updates! Contact silc.activities@gmail.com with any questions.
COMING UP IN APRIL
Monday
Tuesday
1 English @ Prakasamai Intro to astrology Craft circle
2
8
9
15
22 English @ Prakasamai Craft circle
29 English @ Prakasamai
Wednesday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
4 Zumba Potluck lunch English @ Mahawong
5
6
7
10
11
12
13
14
16
17
18
19
20
21
23
24 Aerobics Mahjong
25 Zumba
26
27
28
Easter Cupcake Workshop
St Georgoe’s Day coffee morning
3 Aqua Aerobics
Thursday
Mahjong
English @ Mahawong
30 Book Club
Craft circle
We try to schedule activities well ahead of time to allow you to plan your diaries, however please note these may change. Keep an eye on the SILC Facebook page and the next newsletter for updates! Contact silc.activities@gmail.com with any questions.
PRETZEL MAKING WORKSHOP! Did you know there are 120+ different types of pretzels? Savoury, zesty, sweet, soft or hard - everyone has a favourite! In this workshop you will learn everything you need to know about the German Pretzel - its history, types of flour used, the various techniques for forming pretzels and what makes the pretzel so special. We anticipate the workshop will be popular, so we are offering two dates: Tuesday 5 March or Friday 22 March. The workshop will be run from 9:00 - 12:00 at the home of Sandra, the facilitator, close to BTS Phrom Pong. The cost will be 400thb per person. RSVP with your date preference to: silc.activities@gmail.com
Detective for a day! On the morning of Thursday 7th
March, a group of SILC ladies will turn detective to solve a mysterious riddle with Gosnoop! The event will take place in and around a Bangkok landmark, requiring teamwork,creativity, and problem-solving skills to prevail! Cost: 900 thb per person RSVP: silc.activities@gmail.com
Join us for lunch at Roast, the Commons (Thonglor) on Friday 8th March. Attendees will cover their own expenses RSVP: silc.activities @gmail.com
MARCH COFFEE MORNING We will meet for coffee at the delightful Cottage 66, near Udomsuk BTS on Thursday 14th March. Please let us know if you would like to join! RSVP: silc.activities@gmail.com
PUPPET MUSEUM TOUR Thailand has a rich tradition of puppetry. To find out more, join us to visit the Thai Puppet Museum in the morning of Thursday 19th March. We will learn the history of Thai puppets and can even make our own to take home. We will meet at BTS MoChit and share a taxi to the museum. Workshop cost: 250 baht/person RSVP: silc.activities@gmail.com
An introduction to astrology You may know what your ‘sun’ sign is but did you know that your moon sign and ascendant are equally important? In this fascinating workshop conducted by the well respected Australian astrologer, Victoria Davis, you will be introduced to the 12 zodiac signs and taught how to identify your own hereditary astrology. Come join us on Monday 1st April from 10am - 1pm to learn all about your own unique astrological chart. The cost will be 400thb and the workshop will be held close to Bearing BTS. When you RSVP to silc.activities@gmail.com please give your place, date and time of birth so that your personal chart can be created in advance!
EASTER CUPCAKES Prepare to stun the family this year with some special Easter cupcakes! Join us for a decorating workshop on Tuesday 2nd April 10-12.00 at the Centre Point residence, Phrom Pong. Cost: 1000 THB per person RSVP: silc.activities@gmail.com
DRESS TO IMPRESS! Please join us for a ‘fashion parade’ and potluck lunch at Laura’s place on Thursday 4th April. Attendees please dress to impress - Songkran style or in national costume! RSVP: silc.activities@gmail.com
TRY YOUR HAND AT MAHJONG! Our group of Mahjong ladies is growing steadily and ranges from novices to experts. Please get in touch if you would like to join us! Everyone welcome. We meet on Wednesdays at members’ houses. Contact: Sally mikeandsally@bluewin.ch
KEEP FIT, KEEP HAPPY! aqua aerobics If you would like to join our weekly sessions at Ekamai Gardens on Wednesdays 10-11:00 (400 THB), please contact silc.activities@gmail.com
zumba We meet on Thursday mornings 08.30-09.30 in Bangna. If you would like to join please contact silcmagazine@gmail.com
tennis If you’re a keen tennis player but need a partner, we can put you in touch! Please contact: silc.activities@gmail.com
SILC OUT & ABOUT LAST MONTH
They say life’s not all hearts and flowers, but both were in abundance at our Valentine’s themed craft circle get-together!!
And there was a lot of Ladies’ Club love in the air at the HK Ladies’ Chinese New Year lunch, which SILC members were kindly invited to. And didn’t they all look fabulous!
Sushi school with teachers Meg, Megumi, Kanako and Maro was a real treat in every way. Thank you so much ladies for sharing your secrets!
The ladies who visited the Erawan museum in Samut Prakan enjoyed a lovely morning - making their way up a spiral staircase inside an enormous, 3-headed elephant, and then enjoying a lovely walk. Not to mention the kind of delicious lunch we have come to expect on SILC trips! Thanks to the Qctivities team!
COMMUNITY PROJECTS
February was a very rewarding month for the SILC ladies who volunteer at the IDC (Immigration Detention Center), as a group of refugees from Somalia, Eritrea and Sudan were finally able to move on to their new country - Canada. Who gets detained at the IDC? Many people come to Thailand fleeing war and/or persecution. They enter as tourists, but once the tourist visa period is expired, they are breaking the law by overstaying. If the immigration police arrest them, they are held at the IDC. What is it like there? Living conditions are hard, cells are overcrowded and hot, food is poor, and they can’t leave the room unless they have a visitor. How can people get out? People can be either deported to their own country, which is impossible for refugees, or accepted by a third country and resettled there. Sadly the chances of this are low and the wait is long.The group who went to Canada had been in IDC from 2 to 4 years. What do SILC volunteers do? During this time of uncertainty, SILC volunteers visit the refugees to bring food, hope and a smile. As you’ll see from the beautiful cover photo, we become close to the people we visit.
We learn their stories and are their only link to the outside world. We would like to thank the SILC ladies who donated warm winter clothes for our friends on their way to Canada. As we said goodbye to them, though, an even bigger group of refugees was detained, so our work is not done! How can I help? If you’d like to make a difference by getting involved, please contact us. We will support you, you’ll learn a lot about the world and hopefully you’ll be lucky enough to have the joy of seeing someone off at the airport too! Contact: silc.community@gmail.com
NG !! I ER ITY E T N N U LU RT VO PPO O
CAN YOU COME AND TEACH US PLEASE? SILC’S English Program teaches basic language skills to children (around 6 years old) at two schools in the Samutprakarn area. On Monday morning we go to Prakkasamai and on Thursday morning to Mahawong. There are three main teachers, with two assistants. For both locations we are looking for a new teacher, at Prakkasamai from mid February and at Mahawong from May. Can you commit to teach once a week? You will get beautiful smiles and wonderful hugs in return! Contact: Janna (coordinator of English Program) on henk_janna@hotmail.com
COMMUNITY PROJECTS
BLOSSOMING CRAFT SKILLS! In February our craft volunteers got back to nature with the kids, making these gorgeous - and very environmentally friendly Valentine’s cards with petals and leaves. It is very rewarding to see that each week the kids are getting more and more involved in creating their own masterpieces. In March we will be going to Prakkasamai on Wednesday 6th and Mahawong on Friday 15th. Info: silc.community@gmail.com
Following the English Program lessons, our theme for March will be: “Things from the cupboard”.
SILC OUT & ABOUT
SILC OUT & ABOUT
Aims & policies Organisation of the Club SILC creates an opportunity for women of all nationalities living in Samutprakarn and Bangkok to meet and participate in a variety of activities. We invite members to join monthly events and interest groups. Members pay an annual fee of 1000 Baht. Privacy The membership list is for the sole use of SILC members in a social setting and may not be used for commercial purposes. E-Newsletter The e-newsletter is published ten times a year with articles and information on club activities. Contributions are welcome and can be sent to the newsletter editor. Committee Meetings These are held monthly and are open to all members. Please inform the SILC Chair if you wish to attend. All SILC events are subject to change. Please confirm your attendance with the relevant contact, and advise of any cancellation asap so another member may take your place. Committee Contacts Chair Secretary Treasury Team Membership Team Community Projects E-newsletter & Ads
silcchair@gmail.com silcsecretary@gmail.com silctreasurer@gmail.com silcthai@gmail.com silc.community@gmail.com silcmagazine@gmail.com
SILC teams Activities Website Online/Marketing Community Projects
silc.activities@gmail.com silc.websites@gmail.com silcpromo@gmail.com silc.community@gmail.com
Advertise here!
SILC News goes every month to over 170 SILC members throughout Bangkok. Advertisements for non-profit community events are welcome and free of charge. Personal advertisements for SILC members are free of charge. Email reminders for SILC and non-profit community events will be sent out free of charge; other events must be advertised in our magazine.
RATES
DISCOUNTS
Full Page Half Page Quarter Page
1500 Baht 800 Baht 400 Baht
Member - 25%
Website
3000 Baht per year
Only one discount may be applied.
Annual contract (10 ads/year) - 10%
Advertising requests and payment must be received prior to the published deadline. To advertise in the Newsletter, please contact: Charlotte - silcmagazine@gmail.com To advertise on the SILC Website, please contact: silc.websites@gmail.com To arrange payment, please contact: Liliya - silctreasurer@gmail.com
SILC News Copy Deadline for April e-Newsletter: 20th March If you have any activities, events, book reviews, recommendations for holidays or items for our bulletin board please forward them to the Newsletter Editor: silcmagazine@gmail.com