Message from the Branch President

Dear Members:

This has been an eventful year for the National ESU Headquarters.  Following William R. Miller OBE’s resignation as Chairman, Dr. Ann Cook Calhoun took over as Interim Chair with the proviso that she would resign after six months or before, if a new Chairman was elected.  She attended several Regional conferences and issued a very comprehensive report focusing on the needs and desires of Branches.  In June, Patricia S. Schroeder was elected Chairman of the English-Speaking Union of the United States.  There is an article about Mrs. Schroeder elsewhere in these pages.  I think she will be an outstanding leader for the ESU.  We are looking forward to meeting her at the National ESU Conference in New Orleans, November 5-8.  This conference is open to all members.

In addition to these changes, we have received news that Valerie Mitchell MBE will retire as Chairman of the ESU of the Commonwealth and as Secretary General of the ESU International Council on July 17th.  She has spent almost thirty years dedicated to the mission of “creating global understanding through English” and is known to many members for her warm welcome at Dartmouth House in London.  Valerie will be succeeded by Michael Lake CBE.

As far as our Branch is concerned, our next event will be a fund raising garden party at the end of September.  If you would be interested in participating in this event please call our Branch Manager, Rebecca Rasmussen Tufenkian at 213-393-5407.

Meanwhile, I wish you a very pleasant and not too hot summer.

Best Regards,

Jean Bruce Poole

President

ENGLISH-SPEAKING UNION BOARD 2009-10

Mrs. Jean Bruce Poole, President

Shakespeare Consultant:
Mr. Louis Fantasia, Theater Director & Producer

Branch Manager & Shakespeare Coordinator:
Ms. Rebecca Rasmussen Tufenkian

Board Members:
Ms. Susanna Adkins, Event Co-chair

Mrs. Barbara Barbarics, Educational Programs

Ms. Gillian Campbell, Membership Co-Chair

Mr. Louis Fantasia, Educational Programs

Mrs. Betsy Hanger

Ms. Barbara Martin, Development Consultant

Mrs. Ginger Menke, Recording Secretary

Ms. Priscilla Moorman, Corresponding Secretary

Mrs. Mary-Lois Nevins

Mrs. Denise Nighman, Event Co-Chair

Ms. Mary Ann Paullin

Mrs. Margaret (Peggy) Spear, Vice-President & Shakespeare Co-Chair

Mr. J.F. Christopher Wright, Chairman & Shakespeare Co-Chair