2009 Area Captain Newsletters

Hello Fellow TOPS members

 

WOW! The last month of 2009 and we all know what a busy month December can be. If I were to offer one piece of advice to anyone during December it would be "Remember to take time for yourself and take a few moments each day just to catch your breath and relax." What would your advice be?

 

I'd like to take he time to welcome our newest chapter to the area:

 

TOPS ON 5377 Lucan started their chapter in November.

 

In the New Year I would like to get chapters started in Mitchell, Milverton, Tavistock, Shakespeare and more. If you happen to know of a place I could hold a TOPS information night please let me know. It has been wonderful watching our area grow.

 

We had our Rally Wrap Up Meeting in November and overall the Rally was a huge success and enjoyed by so many that attended. We received many Rally Feedback forms and hope to implement some of the suggestions for next year. Hopefully we will have the financial report for the Rally complete for the next newsletter as it takes times to get all the bills paid and settled. Marion, our Rally Treasurer, from TOPS ON 1092 Stratford has done a wonderful job on keeping on top of our finances.

Our Resume Round-Up was also held in November and was a great turnout. Thank you again to all chapter representatives that gave me a few precious hours on a Saturday.

 

Our Online Book Challenge has been going strong. We are in Week Three but the great thing about this challenge is that you can start any time. I have left each day up as we finish. I know several members were skeptical about starting it prior to the holidays - but it will be available in the New Year if you decide to start.

 

As Carol Harper mentioned in her monthly newsletter, Resumes and Chapter Maintenance is to be in the mail by January 8, 2010. I have added her newsletters to our site also in case you have missed it. The current one and past ones starting in October of 2009. If you need any help during this time, please contact Carol or myself.

 

Keep those monthly chapter reports coming - I love them. Our area chapters have been doing wonderful and it is always wonderful to hear how each chapter is doing.

 

January is a great month to think about hosting an Open House for your chapter. If you would like any information on hosting one or would like me to attend your Open House please let me know. Also, if your chapter decides to have an Open House, let me know the date so I can let potential TOPS members know as they contact me.

 

Finishing off November, a huge thank you goes out to three particular members:

Kathy from TOPS ON 5377 Stratford

Ellen from TOPS ON 5270 Stratford

Kathy from TOPS ON 1092 Stratford

 

These were the 3 TOPS members who braved the cold, rainy, windy evening with me for the Stratford Santa Claus Parade on November 29th in support of TOPS. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

 

There are a few photos, thanks to Ellen, in the Variety Album under TOPS Photos. As a reminder I have password protected the photo section - all you need to do is email me and I will send you out the password. We have had much interest in our site from many different areas but have decided to keep the photos just for our area unless specified otherwise.

AREA CELEBRATION DATES

 

KOPS ANNIVERSARIES

Gary S from TOPS ON 268 Woodstock

 

Tammy P from TOPS ON 1092 Stratford

 

Pina C from TOPS ON 295 Woodstock

 

In closing, I would like to take the opportunity to wish everyone the best of the holidays and the greatest year coming up. Unfortunately, I couldn't send all members a Christmas card but have sent a card to each leader to be shared with all members to express my wishes for you through the holidays. It has been another wonderful year as Area Captain, thanks to each and every one of our area chapters - you all make it a joy for me to do what I do.

 

Take Care

 

Rhonda

Thought to Ponder:

"It's not what you eat through Christmas and New Year's that matters most - it's what you eat through New Years and Christmas." with that being said - choose wisely and enjoy an occasional treat!

Hello everyone

 

November All Ready? My goodness where do the days go?

 

Right around the corner (November 7th) we have our Together We Can Rally and with this years theme I am sure it will be wonderful. TOPS ON 295 Woodstock and TOPS ON 5191 Woodstock have been very busy planning a wonderful day for us all - a huge thank you to both the chapters. As of last count we have 129 people attending this years rally - WOW! Small reminders for the rally - don't forget your chapter name tags - they will be judged for different categories - Let's have fun with it! Also please do not forget to bring your door prize the morning of the Rally. If you had a Quiet Volunteer nominated in your chapter - remember that it is your chapters responsibility to bring the recognition gift for them and that the host chapter for the award will present it to them. The Rally Wrap Up Meeting will be announced at the Rally - also hopefully the co-hosting chapters for next year. If you have any questions or concerns prior to then please feel free to contact me.

 

The results are in for the Area Captain Chapter to Chapter Fall Walk - we, as an area, walked 5555 miles - WAY TO GO AREA! Recognition will occur at the rally - for those not attending the rally they will be mailed.

 

Our Secretary Social, on October 3rd, went very well. We had 9 chapter secretaries/representatives out for a day of fun, sharing, learning and socializing. Thank you to all who attended!

 

Our Fall Workshop, held on October 21st with Carol Harper had an amazing turn out - over 25 chapter representatives. Thank you to TOPS ON 4759 St Marys for offering their chapter meeting room for this meeting.

 

It's not to late to RSVP for the Resume Round-Up being held November 21st in Stratford. Invitations were mailed directly to Weight Recorders and Assistants.

 

I have heard some concern over the KOPS Honor Society invitation that was mailed out to the area KOPS. This is  not to replace your chapter. You would still be an active member of your chapter. A KOPS Honor Society is a group of KOPS who get together 4 times a year to share and support other KOPS. As a KOPS member, we know our journey still goes on - and sometimes maintaining can be a different struggle in itself. We would also offer support and encouragement to TOPS members as they follow their road to KOPS status. It is my hope to have our first meeting some time in the New Year depending on the interest I hear. Hopefully I have cleared up any questions or concerns you may have had and look forward to hearing from you.

 

 

 

Updates to our page

 

I have now bought a domain address which will be much easier to share with fellow members. The address is:

www.ourtopschapters.com

 

Please note that the old jimdo address will still work. Please do share and visit the site as new things are added daily (really they are). I would love to hear more about your chapters and what they are doing so I can include on your chapter page. We have had visitors from all over - from Tennessee to locally. It is a great way to keep connected. Each chapter has a comment section that you could leave a message of congratulations, thanks, or greetings. I am also open to suggestions on what else you would like on the site.

 

Speaking of this, as of November 9th I am offering a personal challenge online. It is a 12 week challenge from a book I read. I have read a lot of health and diet books but this one really hit home with me and I would like to know if anyone would like to join on the journey with me. Each day a new challenge will be put forth and small excerpts from the book will be shared. The book is in the sharing library online. I will send out a separate email closer to the date. I do hope some will participate with me.

 

Important!

 

If you know your chapter won't be meeting on a certain day that you usually do - please let me know ahead of time. I receive many calls throughout the week and let them know of the chapters in the area. If I know they are heading to YOUR chapter, I try to give some one the heads up to watch for a visitor. But sometimes they aren't sure which chapter they are going to. Potential TOPS members could be lost if they show up to a meeting, and there is no meeting. If I know ahead of time, I can let them know that a particular meeting will not occur this week, etc. This is especially important as we are soon going to be in the holiday season and I know many chapters take the week between Christmas and New Years off - but unless I know for sure I can't share it. Thank you for your understanding in this matter.

 

CELEBRATION DATES:

 

This is the new section of the newsletter. If you would like to have something included in here please let me know and I will be happy to include it.

 

KOPS ANNIVERSARIES IN NOVEMBER

 

Marg M ~ ON 1092 Stratford ~ 4 years

 

Doris Marie Y ~ ON 768 Woodstock ~ 15 years

 

 

Just a reminder that correspondence like newsletters and announcements received from myself, Carol, or TOPS are meant to be shared at Chapter with ALL members. This is our way of keeping connected with the members in the area.

 

Sorry this was so long - so much going on in our area. Looking forward to seeing those attending Rally and have a safe, happy Halloween. Don't let those treats trick you!

 

Take Care

Rhonda

 

Thought to Ponder

 

It makes no difference how many peaks you reach if there was no pleasure in the climb

~Oprah

Hello fellow TOPS members:

 

As I look out my office window I notice how quickly the leaves are changing colours. Fall has always been my favorite season as it offers so much beauty. On your next walk take a few moments to notice the colours of your surroundings and I am sure you will agree.

 

Fall in TOPS in our area is a very busy time - a fun time but a busy one. This year I have different workshops that have occurred or are coming up to help chapter executive learn more, get connected with other chapters, and share. I am hoping next year we will have them closer to elections but the turnout has been great this year.

 

Treasurer's Tea - was held on September 19th and many treasurers and leaders showed up for a day of tea drinking, socialization, and learning. If your chapter was unable to attend and would like the handouts that were given please contact me.

 

Secretary's Social - is being held on October 3rd and if you haven't RSVP'd there is still time. Just let me know and I will add you to the list. I like to know how many will be attending as I have handouts and surprises and would hate to not include everyone.

 

Fall Workshop - with Carol Harper and myself is being held October 21st at the St Mary's Hospital. If you haven't RSVP'd to this please do so. This workshop is mainly directed towards the weight recorders as there are many changes coming up in TOPS but all are welcomed - just let me know how many will be attending from your chapter.

 

Resume Round-up - is being held November 21st in Stratford and invitations were mailed directly to the Weight Recorders or Assistants. With resume time just around the corner it is a great opportunity to brush up on weight charts and resumes. I look forward to this.

 

KOPS HONOR SOCIETY - Invitations to start a KOPS Honor Society in our area has been mailed to ALL KOPS. I look forward to hearing back input regarding this idea.

 

And we can't forget the next Rally Meeting held October 6th in Woodstock. This is where you will bring back 15 copies of the recognition/registration forms so that we can share with the different chapters for their award preparations. You are also required to bring a chapter cheque for the total members attending Rally this year. Please let me know if you are unable to attend this meeting.

 

NOTE: It has been brought to my attention for the Perfect Attendance Award that it will be from January's first meeting until September's last meeting. Since this is the first year for this award not all chapters will have the information from 2008. NEXT year the attendance will be from Rally to Rally so who ever looks after your attendance please keep this in mind for next year's Perfect Attendance Award.

 

Upcoming Area Captain Visits:

 

October 2nd: TOPS ON 5191 Woodstock

 

October 13th: TOPS ON 5363 Lucan

 

Upcoming Open Houses:

 

October 1st: TOPS ON 5357 Stratford

 

Updates to our webpage:

 

I have broken down the awards for this years rally in preparation to share the winners: Check it out here!

 

I have also added a section where you can send messages directly to a chapter. Just click on Our Area Chapters on the left hand menu - click on the chapter that you would like to leave a message - and at bottom of chapter page you will see leave comment section. This can also be used amongst the chapter to announce special dates coming up, etc. I do hope that you will find it useful.

 

I have also started (when I remember) to take my camera along to chapter meetings I attend. I have added a few of the pictures I have taken at chapter meetings and look forward to adding more. If you have pictures of your chapter meetings/functions and would like to share I would love to post them for you - just email them to me at rhonda_chevalier@yahoo.ca

 

Area Captain Chapter to Chapter Walk Challenge - I look forward to receiving this challenge back to see how far members from your chapter were able to walk. These forms are to be sent back to me after the second meeting of October in your chapter.

 

CELEBRATION DATES:

This is the new section of the newsletter. If you would like to have something included in here please let me know and I will be happy to include it.

 

KOPS ANNIVERSARIES IN OCTOBER

 

~~ Cheryl B from TOPS ON 768 Woodstock ~~ 1 year

 

~~ Eleanor W from TOPS ON 5191 Woodstock ~~ 2 years

 

Just a reminder that correspondence like newsletters and announcements received from myself, Carol, or TOPS are meant to be shared at Chapter with ALL members. This is our way of keeping connected with the members in the area.

 

In closing, have a great Thanksgiving - remember to give thanks for all that life has to offer - perhaps plan a walk after your gathering as a family to take in the beauty this season has to offer.

 

Take Care

 

Rhonda

Thought to Ponder:

"The world needs dreamers and doers - but most of all the world needs dreamers that do."

 

Hello All TOPS Members:

 

I began my last newsletter for August saying that I thought summer had finally found us and now we are looking at the beginning of September. September is like the beginning of a "new year" for many of us - especially those with children returning to school - holidays are over - we are back to routine. This would be the perfect time for your chapter to host an OPEN HOUSE. January and September seems to be the busiest months for new memberships in TOPS. If you are interested in hosting an OPEN HOUSE please contact me and we'll get a great one planned and hopefully attract new members. New members are a great way for a chapter to not only grow but often re-energizes and motivates current members.

 

The fall is a busy time for all our chapters also. Getting ready for our Fall Together We Can Rally - with the theme "Stripping It Off" - on Saturday, November 7th (sneak peak of the invitation here). TOPS ON 295 Woodstock and TOPS ON 5191 Woodstock have been very busy getting this Rally organized. Thank you very much to both chapters and I look forward to hearing more at the meeting September 1st.

 

Speaking of September 1st:

 

A reminder of the important Rally Meeting being held Tuesday, September 1st at Bethany Lutheran Church, Common Room, 175 Springbank Ave. N, Woodstock at 7 p.m. This is an important meeting for a chapter representative to  attend if at all possible.

 At this meeting you will be picking up registration packages for your chapter. There will also be the draw to determine which award your chapter will be looking after. If you need more information please don't hesitate to contact me. Also please let me know how many from you chapter will be in attendance. If you know that NO ONE from your chapter is attending Rally this year please let me know.

 

Also a reminder that each chapter is asked to donate a $25.00 door prize for this years Rally - if no one from your chapter is attending Rally please contact me so we can make arrangements to get the doorprize.

 

In the Spring we had the Annual Spring Workshop and now I have started individual workshops for the Treasurer, Secretary, and as always the Weight Recorders.

 

The Treasurer's Tea is being held Saturday, September 19th from 1 - 3 pm. The invitations were mailed directly to the chapter treasurers. I have received some, but not all of the RSVP's.

 

The Secretary's Social invitations are going out tomorrow. It is being held Saturday, October 3rd from 1 - 3 pm. These invitations were also mailed directly to the chapter secretaries.

 

The Weight Recorder Resume Round Up is in the midst of being arranged but it will be after the Rally. The invitations to these will also be mailed directly to the Weight Recorders and asked to be shared with Assistant Weight Recorders if you chapter has one.

 

I decided to have fun with the names of these events instead of calling them "workshops" hoping to draw more interest. Of course we will be doing some learning through the afternoon but it is also a way to honor the work that they do and mingle with fellow executives. There are doorprizes and small tokens of appreciation.  They would be beneficial to new executive and also those with experience so we can learn what works for them.

 

Area Captain Visits:

 

I have visited many (Not all yet) of the 15 chapters in the area. I must visit each chapter AT LEAST ONCE through the year. This is my favorite part of being the Area Captain- getting out to visit the chapters. A few of my chapters I am on the second or third visit this year. I have placed calls to those chapters I have not visited this year and look forward to setting the date.

 

Planned Visits as of Now:

 

September 14th: TOPS ON 5270 Stratford  AC Presentation 2009

September 17th: TOPS ON 5351 Monkton  2nd Visit in 2009

September 21st: TOPS ON 1608 St Mary's   AC Presentation 2009

            first time at this chapter - very excited to meet members

October 2nd: TOPS ON 5191 Woodstock  3rd visit in 2009

October 6th: TOPS ON 5363 Lucan  AC Presentation 2009

 

OUR CHALLENGE FROM BABY CADY:

 

 

Our new challenge was in the August issue of “TOPS News.”  It will kick off with the “Cut and Burn” Program and will run until just before next IRD. Get ready, too!  Cut and Burn? From your first weigh-in after IRD, the goal is to select one thing to cut and one way to burn more calories to achieve a TOPS loss of ten or more pounds. For KOPS... getting back within leeway and staying there. I really want those million pounds lost! Let's do our best to reach that goal! SMALL CHANGES EQUAL BIG RESULTS!

 

MY AREA CAPTAIN CHALLENGE:

 

By now all executives have received my new challenge : TOPS Chapter to Chapter Fall Walk. Those participating will be recognized at this years Rally.

 

SUMMER CONNECTIONS:

This is closing off September 1st. I must say I really enjoyed this and have heard from many members who participated in it that they also did. I am hoping that this will be annual thing to help us through the summer and make more TOPS connections. Those who participated will be recognized at Rally.

 

CELEBRATION DATES:

This is going to be a new section of the newsletter. If you would like to have something included in here please let me know and I will be happy to include it.

 

KOPS ANNIVERSARIES

 

August ~ June L from TOPS ON 5270 Stratford - 1 year

 

September ~ Marie P from TOPS ON 5191 Woodstock - 5 years

 

CHAPTER ANNIVERSARIES

 

TOPS ON 5351 Monkton celebrating their 1 year beginning September 25th!

 

In closing, I would like to remind all Leaders that the Area Captain newsletter is meant to be shared at Chapter meetings. It is my way to keep ALL TOPS members informed of what is going on. I do apologize that this one is a little lengthy - but like I said the Fall is a busy time with TOPS. I have added a subscribe to the newsletter section on the front page of our Area Page if a member would like to receive their own copy in their email box.

 

The address for the site is:

 

http://topsac6139.jimdo.com

 

Thanks for sharing and your time,

Take Care

Rhonda

TOPS Area Captain

 

THOUGHT TO PONDER

Remember, we all stumble, every one of us. That's why it's a comfort to go hand in hand.

- Emily Kimbrough

 

Well it looks like "summer" may have finally found us. I do hope everyone is enjoying the beautiful, warm weather.

 

A reminder of the important Rally Meeting being held Tuesday, September 1st at Bethany Lutheran Church, Common Room, 175 Springbank Ave. N, Woodstock at 7 p.m. This is an important meeting for a chapter representative to  attend if at all possible.

 At this meeting you will be picking up registration packages for your chapter. There will also be the draw to determine which award your chapter will be looking after. If you need more infomation please don't hesitate to contact me. Also please let me know how many from you chapter will be in attendance. If you know that NO ONE from your chapter is attending Rally this year please let me know.

 

Don't forget to keep on the member's mind to keep Saturday, November 7th open for our Rally Day held in Woodstock.

 

There are still a few chapters that I haven't presented the 2009 Area Captain Presentation too and look forward to getting these dates booked. Talk it over with your chapter and let me know which date works best. This presentation has been very well received and I must get out to each chapter to present it.

 

I have mailed out an invitation to all chapter Treasurer's for a "Treasurer's Tea" held Saturday, September 19th at my house. This will be a time to honor our chapter Treasurer's and also do a little learning and brushing up on the audits. I think it will be beneficial to both new Treasurers and of course the ones with experience to help guide them. I look forward to the RSVP's and hope to have a great turn out.

 

I am in the midst of planning a Secretary Social and annual one for the Weight Recorders pre-resumes also and will update as I have plans more firmed up.

 

NEWS FROM TOPS

 

The Chapter Guide and Guide for Weight Recording are being combined into a Chapter Manual. This will be loose-leaf, three-hole punched and each page dated and numbered. Two copies will be sent to each chapter in the November mailing. Please destroy all old guides after completing the chapter resume for 2009. Additional copies of the Chapter Manual may be ordered on the L-015 at $2.00 each.

 

If a member has surgery for weight loss that is still effective,  member is placed in Division 9 until such time as member provides a slip from a Health Care Professional stating the surgery is no longer in effect. The statement must be attached to weight chart.  After presentation of this statement, member shall be placed into a traditional adult division competition as of the first weigh-in of the following year. In addition, weight at the time the Health Care Professional’s slip of ineffectiveness is presented, or at renewals thereafter, shall be member’s highest weight for Royalty Competition if member registers as a KOPS for the first time after presenting the statement.

 

The Choice Is Mine and the companion Workbook shall be offered for new members at a discount on the Membership Application (Form L-003) at time of joining.

 

Chapter ID is:  two letter postal designation, four digit Chapter number. TOPS and the city may be added if desired to form the chapter name.  The number symbol (#) is no longer used and the comma between the Chapter ID and city is optional.

 

Starting with the December/January TOPS NEWS, TOPS and KOPS Rules will be combined  as the TOPS RULES and printed annually in the centerfold of that issue. Be sure to remove these from the issue and save.

 

A special limited edition of the TOPS Pound Bank Book shall be  available in the Dec/Jan TOPS News commemorating the Twenty-fifth Anniversary of the Bank Book which was originally offered in 1985. These may be ordered on a first-come basis on the form in TOPS News as long as the supply lasts.

 

Now that we are all up to date locally and with TOPS I wish you all a wonderful August and look forward to seeing any attending the Rally Meeting September 1st.

 

Yours in TOPS

Rhonda

TOPS Area Captain

 

Thought to Ponder

 

The time to relax is when you don’t have time for it.
Sidney J. Harris

 

Hello Everyone,

 

I must start off by saying thank you to all the different TOPS members and chapters who called and sent well wishes to me while I was ill. I am feeling much better now and thank everyone for their understanding - and apologize to TOPS ON 5360 St. Mary's and TOPS ON 295 Woodstock for having to cancel our Area Captain Presentation in their chapters. I am in the midst of re-scheduling them.

 

Another tidbit of information to pass on. I am in the midst of moving and will be completely moved by July 15th. I will be putting a change of address in but would also like to pass along my new address so that all may update their contact information for me. My telephone number will be remaining the same at 519-393-8255. My new address will be:

 

Rhonda Chevalier

4339 Line 32

RR # 3

Stratford, ON

N5A 6S4

 

I will also be without internet for a few days between the 10th and 14th so if I don't reply to an email right away you will know why.

 

I hear the plans for our "Together We Can" Rally 2009" - "Stripping It Off" is going well. I would also like to remind all chapters of the Rally meeting September 1st at 7 pm at Bethany Lutheran Church, 175 Springbank Ave N, Woodstock. Please let me know if a representative from your chapter will be able to make it to the meeting as this is a very important one. This is the one where the registration/recognition forms will be handed out and chapter responsibilities will be given.

 

Quarterly audits were due to Carol after the last meeting in June. If you need any help or have questions regarding these please do not hesitate to contact me.

 

I will keep this newsletter short. Enjoy the summer and Take Care.

 

Yours in TOPS

Rhonda

TOPS Area Captain

 

Thought to Ponder:

If you find yourself in a hole - the first thing to do is STOP digging!

Hello Fellow TOPS Members:

 

May seemed to pass by in a blur. Our Area had two TOPS information nights; one in Lucan and one in Mitchell - both were quite successful. TOPS ON 4759 St. Mary's had an Open House. I was able to get out to many of the chapters for the AC 2009 Presentation "Time for Lasting Change." Our TOPS Spring Workshop was a success and June is almost upon on now and looking almost as busy.

 

I'd like to welcome our latest Chapter to our Area - We now have a chapter in Lucan that meets at the Lucan Legion, Tuesdays, with weigh in beginning at 7 pm and meetings at 7:30. The Leader is Martina Plokhaar.

 

I'd also like to welcome Stephanie Bilodeau as the new Leader of TOPS ON 4759 St. Mary's.

 

Hopefully in the next few weeks we will be welcoming a new chapter in Mitchell also. We re just having troubles finding a spot to meet for a nominal fee. If you happen to know of a place please do let me  know.

 

PRD is also the first weekend in June. This will be my first PRD and I am looking very forward to it. I'll be sure to take lots of pictures to add to the site.

 

Our Area Captain Summer Connection will also start on June 1st. Please have your name, chapter and mailing address to me prior to that. Members that have signed up seem to be quite excited about it. I know my mailbox will welcome the letters. This Summer Connection will run until September 1, 2009.

 

Our 2009 ARD (Together We Can) Meeting is scheduled to be held June 1, 2009 at 7 pm at St. Stephens Church, 133 Home Street, Stratford. Please let me know how many will be attending from you chapter if you haven't already done so. Hats off to TOPS ON 295 Woodstock for agreeing to be hostess for this event and TOPS ON 5191 Woodstock for co-hostessing it. I'm sure it will be a terrific day - Saturday , November 7th . We are still looking for members to join the "Door Prize"committee for the Rally. Please contact me if you would like to be on this committee.

 

If your chapter hasn't set a date for the 2009 Area Captain Presentation "Time for Lasting Change" please contact me so we can arrange a date. I also have several other presentations for those chapters wishing to have me back.

 

I know summer is a busy time for many members but before we know it September will be here. September is a great month to host an Open House for your Chapter. Many people re-start their "New Year's" goals once the kids are back into school and schedules back into place - something to think about over the summer. If your chapter would like any help in planning an Open House please let me know.

 

In closing, I wish all a wonderful summer - hoping the nice weather will be here for good soon. Thank you to all TOPS executives and members for all you do to make not only your chapter, but TOPS, the wonderful organization it is.

 

Take Care

 

Rhonda

TOPS Area Captain

 

Thought to Ponder

The mighty oak was once a little nut that stood its ground.
- Unknown

 

MAY 2009

May is already upon us - where does the time go? I see all the bulbs flowering and know the nice, warm weather will soon be here for good, well hopefully.

 

May is a busy month here in our area.

 

May 6th we have our TOPS Spring Workshop with Carol Harper and I. It is being held at St. Stephens Church, 133 Home Street, Stratford at 7 p.m. A reminder that there is a $5.00 per chapter fee to help cover the costs of the workshop. Any chapter not attending will receive a mailing after the workshop. This is going to be a wonderful way to connect with other TOPS executives and hopefully leave with new ideas and motivation.

 

We have an Open House being held at TOPS ON 4759, St. Mary's, May 20th at 6:30 pm at the St. Mary's Hospital, Room 2 for anyone wanting to attend. Open House's are a great way to invite potential new members to come see what TOPS is all about and hopefully get some new members - if your chapter is  interested in holding an Open House and would like some help - please feel free to contact me.

 

We have two TOPS Information Nights being held in May:

 

Lucan is having one May 11th at 7 p.m. at the Legion on Market Street (downstairs)

 

Mitchell is having one May 25th at 7 p.m. at the West Perth Library.

 

If you know of anyone from these areas please do pass along this information. Hopefully we will soon be adding two new chapters to our area after these TOPS Information Nights.

 

We also have four TOPS Area Captain Presentations being presented in May.

 

May 15th - TOPS ON 5191 Woodstock

May 19th - TOPS ON 5272 Stratford

May 21st - TOPS ON 768 Woodstock

May 28th - TOPS ON 5351 Monkton

 

If you haven't booked your chapter's Area Captain Presentation please contact me to do so. It is a wonderful presentation this year called "Time to Create Lasting Change." During these presentations, I will be selling a new addition to your TOPS tools - a one year journal to write down goals, a place to reflect, keep measurements and progress - they will be sold for $4.00 during the presentation.

 

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We wrapped up our TOPS Area Captain Spring Challenge and we as an Area did wonderful!

 

As an area we exercised a total of 43,922 minutes!

 

42 TOPS members participated in the Spring Challenge making an average of 1046 minutes of exercise per TOPS member from March 20th - April 20th

 

WAY TO GO!

 

TOPS ON 268 Woodstock had the highest chapter average with 1620 minutes per member.

 

TOPS ON 5248 Parkhill had the highest Chapter Member Participation with 14 members!

 

Thank you to all that participated in the challenge!

 

I will either be mailing your recognition or popping by your chapter soon.

 

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I have sent all Leaders my latest Area Captain idea.

 

It is called

 

TOPS AREA CAPTAIN

SUMMER CONNECTION

 

It will be sent along with this newsletter. Please have me your information if you would like to participate no later than the end of May as it starts June 1st.

________________________________

"Together We Can" Rally

 

We are well under way in planning our Area Rally Day, Together We Can, for Saturday, November 7th, 2009 - be sure to mark your calendars. Our first planning meeting was April 22nd in Woodstock and we had a great turn out. Thank you to TOPS ON 5191 Woodstock for offering their chapter meeting room for this meeting. Our next Rally Planning Meeting is Monday, June 1 at 7:00 pm at St. Stephens Church, 133 Home Street, Stratford. Thank you, TOPS ON 5270, Stratford, for allowing us the use of your chapter meeting room for this meeting. Please let me know if representatives from your chapter will be able to attend.

 

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In closing, I look forward to seeing as many chapters/members out on May 6th for the TOPS Spring Workshop at 7 p.m., St. Stephens Church, 133 Home Street, Stratford. I'd like to take this time to thank TOPS ON 1092 Stratford for offering their chapter meeting location to use for this meeting.

 

Take Care,

Rhonda Chevalier

TOPS Area Captain

 

Thought to Ponder:

The bad news is time flies. The good news is that you are the pilot.

Michael Altshuler

APRIL 2009

 

Hello Fellow TOPS Members,

 

I'd like to start off by welcoming all the executives that will be starting their year as your chapter executive - I know some have stayed on from past years, and some are "brand new",  regardless,  THANK YOU! If it weren't for you volunteering your time to help serve your chapters, TOPS wouldn't be the wonderful organization it is.

 

I have really enjoyed receiving the Monthly Chapter Reports that I have received from the chapters. I do hope the new executive continues with these. It is a great way for me to stay connected to the chapters month by month. If you have any questions about these please let me know.

 

A reminder of the TOPS Spring Workshop coming up Wednesday, May 6 from 7 - 8:30 in Stratford at St. Stephens Church, 133 Home Street, Basement. I have heard from some of the chapters as to whether they will be attending but I would like to have a better idea. Also a reminder that we are asking for $5.00 from each chapter to help enhance and cover some of the costs to the workshop. Your chapter can either mail a check to myself, or pay on the day of the workshop. Thank you for your understanding on this. I hope we have a wonderful turnout as this is a great time to mingle with fellow executives, learn and take away ideas - also to share yours!

 

Our Area Rally is fast approaching - the time really does fly. I am in the midst of firming down a date for the first Rally Planning Meeting. I have had two chapters from Woodstock offer to co-host the Rally and more information regarding this will be sent as soon as a date is confirmed - looks like around the end of April. I will let you know as soon as I do.

 

PRD is just around the corner. June 4, 5, and 6th in Sault Ste. Marie. Are you attending? This will be my first PRD and I am so excited about it. Would love to know of any members from our area that are going too!

 

St. Mary's and Area Health and Recreation Fair 2009 - "Feeling Fine 2009!" is planned for Saturday, April 18, 2009 from 9 - 1 p.m. at the St. Mary's Community Centre. TOPS has been lucky enough to get a booth for this health fair. If you are looking for something to do that Saturday - why not check out the Health Fair- be sure to look for our booth and pop in to say hi! Admission is free to the public.

 

If you know of a health/wellness fair coming to your area - please let me know. What a great way to get our name TOPS out there and get new members for the chapters.

 

I am starting to get some bookings for the 2009 Area Captain Presentations. I look forward to getting to each chapter this year to present this wonderful presentation - " Time for a Lasting Change" Feel free to contact me and we'll work out a date.

 

I look forward to receiving the results from my Spring Walk Challenge. Please send me the results after your meeting is, once the Challenge is over - April 20th.

 

I have received some great feedback about our new TOPS site. It is an ongoing project and is constantly being updated with new things and new ideas. I would like to be able to share things from individual chapters. Perhaps you are running a contest, congratulate your highest loser, wish a fellow member a happy birthday, announce KOPS, had a "no-gain" meeting, would like to share your chapter calendar - whatever you would like to share please send to me and I will add it to the site for your chapter.

 

In closing, I would like to wish everyone a wonderful Easter, and hopefully a beautiful April. I hope to see many of you at the TOPS Spring Workshop, May 6th.

 

Take Care

I am a phone call or email away

Rhonda

TOPS Area Captain #6139

 

THOUGHT TO PONDER:

"The way a team plays as a whole determines its success. You may have the greatest bunch of individual stars in the world, but if they don't play together, the club won't be worth a dime"

~~Quote from Babe Ruth~~

 

I found this quote perfect for TOPS chapters. We may have labels as Leaders, Executives, etc. but it takes all of us to make our chapter as wonderful as it is. We are all valuable in our own way that makes us even more valuable together.

MARCH 2009

 

Hello Fellow TOPS members

 

To start off I would like to say I have heard from many of you about missing the TOPS webpage I created and that many did not like the new YAHOO design, I have listened and since created a new TOPS page just for our Area that requires no membership. I look forward to hearing your feedback on the new page. Please do share it with your chapter members so that all may enjoy it. I have several upcoming plans for the site and would love to hear what you would like included in it also.

 

The new site's address is:

 

http://topsac6139.jimdo.com/

 

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UPDATE FOR PRD

 

 

REVISED DRESS_CODE

 

As per TOPS March Magazine

 

Dress code is semi-formal for all on-stage events and photo shoots.  Compliance is necessary to participate in the events.

 

• All females – dressy dress of any length, dressy top with skirt of any length,

      Dressy pantsuit or palazzo pants (wide-legged pants).  NO miniskirts.

• All males – business suit and tie
• Female KOPS GRADUATES -  All in SOLID WHITE

 

 Confusion over the Charms/Pinettes

·        The Charms are hat beside boot and star.

 

·        The Pinettes are the ones with the rope extending below the pin, hat on top of boot.

 Please order accordingly.

 With thanks from the PRD Committee.

_________________________________________________________

TOGETHER WE CAN RALLY 2009

 

I am looking to schedule a meeting to start planning our Fall Rally for Saturday, November 7, 2009. I am thinking it would be "fair" to perhaps have it in Woodstock. If any chapter members know of a room available to use please let me know as soon as possible. Also, I am looking for a HOST Chapter(s), Executive for the Planning Team, and of course different volunteers. As soon as I get a room and date planned for this get together I will let each chapter know. Again please contact me if you know of a room available for this meeting. I can be reached through email or phone at 519-393-8255.

_________________________________________________________

NEW EXECUTIVE

 

With all the chapters holding elections this time of the year, it is possible that we will have new executive members. I'd like to quickly ask if a weeknight or a Saturday morning would best suit most for an executive workshop. This would be a wonderful time to learn and share for both new and repeat executives. I'm hoping to have the date booked by the middle of March for early April - if you have a preference please let me know. Thanks!

__________________________________________________________

TIME TO CREATE LASTING CHANGE

 

This years Area Captain presentation is called "Time to Create Lasting Change" and is wonderful. I would love to get some dates set up to come and visit each chapter to present this presentation. As Area Captain I must present to each of our Area Chapters at least once in the year - I also look forward to getting out to visit the chapters. Talk it over with your chapter and see what best works for you and let me know. During the presentation, I will be selling TOPS "My Personal Journals" for $4.00 that tie in with the presentation.They are wonderful and also record your weight for a full year.

 

I look forward to hearing from your chapter to book a date!

_________________________________________________________

Just a few reminders:

 

When writing down your TOPS numbers, chapters, advertsing, etc. please remember it is TOPS (not T.O.P.S.).

 

When sending in your memberships (either new or renewals) to Carol, please give the member their copy and keep the chapter copy for your chapter - only send in the two to Carol that she needs. This saves having to send it back to your chapter.

__________________________________________________________

I will close for now. Wishing everyone a much better weather-wise March than we had in February and I look forward to seeing you all soon.

 

Take Care

 

Rhonda Chevalier

TOPS Area Captain #6139

rhonda_chevalier@yahoo.ca

(519) 393-8255

 

"Thought to Ponder"

You won't miss the water ---  until the well runs dry.

 

Remember It's Your Time!