message From the board

President
Mary Beth Braun
Events are happening
Have fun on Groundhog Day Feb. 2
Happy Valentine’s Day on Feb. 14

We have events happening in our Club all month: ski racing, ski trip, Over the Hump get-together, bowling, winter hiking every Sunday, Festival City Symphony, Scrabble, Sheepshead, and don’t forget we often have live music at our monthly general meetings. As long as our list of activities is, that’s how many helpful hands it takes to execute these activities. And many more are coming in spring and summer.

 

If you have an idea for an event, contact a director-- Social, Sporting, Skiing, Tennis, Meetings. Maybe this would be an opportunity for you to be involved in your Club. You are too busy? No time to get involved? Our volunteers do not necessarily have the time, but they have the heart ... they have interest ... you can do it, too. There are many friends available to help you.

 

To date, our friends have been moving us forward. We need more people. We are encouraging our new members to step up and get involved. Show us your talents and strengths, give us your ideas and come to the meetings! We need people to step up and consider helping us on the board as there are positions to be filled in May. Without a board, there will be no Club!

 

We have some exciting trips coming this year: our international trip to Malta and Sicily, and our national trip to New Orleans. Stay tuned! Do you have an idea for a one-day local trip for the Club? Talk to me or Greg. And let’s look forward to tennis, pickleball and golf this summer

 

Let’s look forward to 2026! And I’m looking forward to seeing you at our winter activities and our next general meeting, Feb. 4.

 

Mary Beth

Board of Directors

  • Officers:
  • President Mary Beth Braun
  • Vice President Greg Larson
  • Treasurer Les Radtke
  • Secretary Jean Dueling

 

  • Other Board Members:

    Public Relations Open

    Membership Jan Breitbach

    Sporting Events Mary Beth Braun

    Ski Activities Sally Borchardt

    Racquet Sports Open

    Social Activities Denise Kremel

  • Meetings Greg Larson
  • Finance& Bylaws Greg Larson
  • Technical Support Linda Horn
  • Ski Activities Joyce Szulc

 

 

Ways to Pay for Vagabond Events

 

 

 

 


 

from membership
Jan Breitbach

Janrenew membership

October is the month for many Vagabonds to renew their membership. You can renew online or at the

November 6 meeting.

 

Credit card, please
The retailer Target recently announced it will no longer accept personal checks, and it’s no wonder. Check-writing has been declining for the past 30 years. Consumers now use checks for only 3 percent of transactions, according to Bankrate. “Adoption of mobile and electronic payments, which was accelerated by the pandemic, continues to grow and has driven a sharp decline in check usage,” says Sarah Grano of the American Bankers Association. “With check fraud on the rise, we recommend consumers use electronic payments, rather than a paper check, whenever possible.”

 

The Vagabond preferred method of payment for all transactions is credit card, using our club management software, Wild Apricot. Any board member or event leader can help you through the process. It is simple, easy and less prone to errors.

 

Take a look at your profile
Have you reviewed your Profile in the Vagabond database recently? Have you moved, changed your phone number or email address? Is your emergency contact information correct? This might be a good time to review the information we have and update it if needed. Be sure to save it before you log out.

 

If you need help, contact Membership Director Jan Breitbach at (414) 732-9749 or Jan.Breitbach@gmail.com.

 

WELCOME NEW OR RETURNING MEMBERS: (Up-to-date information is available in the online directory.)

The club is looking for friendly and smiling faces to assist at the Welcome Desk on meeting nights.

Call (414) 732-9749 or email Jan.Breitbach@gmail.com.


 

Why You Should Volunteer
Since its inception, our club has been run by its member volunteers, and that continues today. Here is why you should volunteer:

 

hands• Are you a newer member? What better way to meet others and to start friendships than to lead an event. Do you have an idea for an outing that you think others would enjoy? Contact a board member for guidance on how you can learn to run a Vagabond event.

 

• Are you a member who has enjoyed what the club offers? Maybe it’s time for you to step up and volunteer to help organize some of your favorite activities: hikes, bike rides, walks, supper clubs, fish fries, theatre, golf, tennis, pickleball, trips.

 

• Learning modern technology keeps the brain young. By running club events, you will have the opportunity to stretch your mind and become skilled at the club management software (Wild Apricot).

 

• It will make you feel good! Volunteering is a way to give back to the club, and that is guaranteed to keep the club moving forward and to make you happy inside.

 

 

Every member has something to offer. So, if you haven’t taken your turn yet, think about how you can contribute to the Vagabond Ski and Social Club.


 

Tech Tip
Linda Horn

 

Want to help the club and receive "the Life" via email?
Here’s how:
Using the Vagabond website (from a computer or tablet)

• Go to VagabondSkiClub.com and click Members Only Access in the Popular Links box on the righthand side.

• Click the icon at the upper right and log in to your account.

• Click View Profile

• Click Edit Profile

• Scroll down to Vagabond Life Newsletter and check the box next to Electronic. (When the box is checked, you are receiving the Life via email.)

• Click SAVE

 

Using the Wild Apricot app on a smartphone or tablet:

• Open the Wild Apricot app

• Tap My Profile

• Tap the More icon (3 dots side by side near the top)

• Click Edit Profile

• Scroll down and tap Vagabond Life Newsletter

• Tap Electronic. (When the box is checked, you are receiving the Life via email.)

• Click SAVE at the top of the screen.

 

It’s a good idea to check your profile page and update any information that has changed. Be sure your emergency contact information is current also.

 


 

Looking for archived Tech Tips?
Follow  this link to our Vice President's helpful tools. >>