message From the board
President
Mary Beth Braun
Easter has passed; hopefully, cold weather and snow are gone. Warm weather is ahead, and vagabond activities are full steam ahead for spring and summer.
But let’s take a step backward first, and say thank you to all members who have been volunteering all winter long to lead hikes, ski trips and bowling, plan dinners/ fish fries, theater, Over the Hump, Game Night, Scrabble and ski racing and work at our welcome table. Thank you for your time and organization. And thank you to our board of directors, coordinators, and Life newsletter staff for the wonderful work they do.
At this time, we extent a Thank you to our volunteers who have been busy setting up spring and summer events: golf leagues, racquet sports, biking, dinners, theater, Over the Hump, baseball game, weekly walks and trips. Without our volunteers, we would not be able to offer anything to the club!
May 7 is our Annual Club Meeting and our election night for the club’s board of directors. Information about the candidates is in this newsletter. We have one major change this year. I am running for a third term as president because we have no other candidate to run for the position. In order to maintain continuity in the club, I agreed to run. The board needed to change a line in the Articles of Incorporation (Article VI) to allow this. The original article read: No person shall serve as president for more than two consecutive full or partial terms. Please read about our candidates in this issue and then VOTE online. Voting is also available at our May 7 annual meeting up until 6:59 p.m.
Election results will be announced at the meeting. See you May 7!!
Mary Beth
elections
Candidate for president
Mary Beth Braun
I’ve been on the board for the last five years, serving as president for the past two years and sporting activities director for five years. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with our board members, and I have come to know so many members through events. I have talked to you and listened, and because of this, our club has brought back some old events and brought in some new ideas. We want to move the club along for everyone’s enjoyment. Your participation in events makes my efforts worthwhile. I am running for a third term as president for the welfare and continuity of the club. I will continue to work for you.
Candidates for the Board
Lester Radtke
I have been a member of the board of directors since December 2017, serving as treasurer. I have enjoyed working with the directors to establish the system for accounting for credit card receipts. I have been active in biking, tennis and skiing with the club. I am a graduate of UW-Madison and a CPA. Prior to retiring in 2015, I owned a CPA practice and financial services practice for 25 years. I am respectfully asking for your vote for a fifth term.
Gregory Larson
My career has been in Credit for over 45 years with a dual role in the United States Navy. I achieved Management Positions responsibility for five states. My highest rank is Chief Petty Officer. My experiences will help the club to continue to grow. I believe in keeping the club moving forward with fun for all.
Sally Borchardt
For those who are new to the Club, my credentials are as follows: Ski/Tennis Director, Ski Trips Director, President, Vice President, Ski Trips Director (multiple years). There was a time when running an event, helping hands were many, and if no one came forward, all one had to do was call a few fellow Vagabonds, and they made time for you. Not quite sure where those feelings fell off and volunteers no longer exist, but I think they still DO exist in our Club. So I am asking for your vote.
Ways to Pay for Vagabond Events
- The best and preferred way to register for any Vagabond event or to renew your membership is through the club management system Wild Apricot. By signing up online and paying with your credit card, you will receive an email confirmation of your registration, you will receive your credit card points or rewards and you don’t have to fill out a paper event coupon. Plus, no stamps, no envelopes and no trip to the post office.
- If you wish to register at a monthly meeting, we strongly encourage you to pay with your credit card to earn your points, but you will need to fill out a registration form, and confirmation of your registration is delayed until the event leader makes sure there is space for you.
- The club does accept checks. Please make your check out to VSSC or Vagabond Ski & Social Club. Do not make the check payable to the event leader or to a board member. Please double-check the amount on the check and be sure to sign it. You might be surprised to learn how many checks are made out for the incorrect amount and/or are not signed. You will need to fill out an event coupon.
- Finally, the club will accept cash at a meeting. But this is the least desirable method of payment due to security risks, lack of traceability and the chance of it being lost. An event coupon is required.
from membership
Jan Breitbach
renew 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:
• 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 TipLinda 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. >>