September 27 Meeting Notes

 Welcome guests Drew Dillery, Allen Blackmon, Norma Jean Diaz (program), Taylor (Stacy's daughter), and out youth exchange student Francisca Gaglio from Argentina.

The meeting was led today by President-elect Craig Reese.

We're sorry that we couldn't get out Zoom working today.  Hope these notes help.

Announcements

Woody relayed the message from our marketing committee that they need us all to fill out the short survey emailed out to our membership.  If you haven't done this, please do so asap.  The information is valuable for the committee as we go forward.

Brags and Confessions

Jackie saw two great shows at the PAC over the last two weekends.

Erik added his kudos for Woody in his PAC introductions.  He is also going to Turkey for a few weeks, and will play golf for 10 days there.

Kevin missed the bike ride because he was selling a boat, buying another boat, and spending a week in the San Juan Islands in the new boat.

Bill won two season passes to the museum while attending a show at the PAC.

Program

Norma Jean Diaz of Journey Travel, talked about the changes in the travel industry, and gave us some good tips.  She has been in the travel business for 24 years after working in the banking industry.  She specializes in group tours (Senior Center, etc).

Here are some of the changes:

• agents are now working from home, and can be more flexible and mobile;
• few travelers during COVID;
• mostly service packages (air/cruise/resort, etc.) instead of separate requests;
• now many more people wanting to travel again, creating backlogs;
• many book their own travel, but need to pay attention to details that seem to be ever-changing;
• COVID is still around, and people are catching it while traveling, sometimes leading to quarantines and missed trips;
• vaccinations are still required for some destinations, so it's important to know the requirements before you leave.

Some advice Norma Jean gave us included:

• always get good travel insurance (at least for out of country trips);
• move around in the airplane
• drink lots of water on the plane;
• wear support stockings

Norma Jean said that the advantage of using travel agents is that they can match peoples' needs with the right cruise line, land tours, custom itineraries, etc.  You can get extra perks and/or upgrades, and get helpful service if things go wrong on the trip.

There are some good travel videos Norma Jena has posted on You Tube.

She gave away a few door prizes (bags, wallets, mugs, etc) to some luck winners.  Ruth, Wayne M, Jackie, Bill, Dave, Marcy, and Taylor were winners.

After Notes

Guest Drew's raffle ticket was picked, but not the right marble.  Pot will be around $90 next week.

Next week's program is Megan Kappler of NCW Arts Alliance.

October 11 will be Ruth Dagg on he trap to Burundi.