Dear Ladies,

Looking back through the past issues of the COMPANION, I realize how honored and grateful I am to serve as your 1998-1999 President. I have never worked with such dedicated and diligent working ladies.

I will not bore you by reminiscing through the whole year of events. Our April meeting, not as exciting as some, however, was very informative. Our new and some old members learned and updated themselves about what TIWC members do in the areas of social service affairs and just what are the funds and foundations associated with our club. We also received thank you's from some of our former recipients. I congratulate all of the ladies who participated at the April meeting and for their endeavors they have accomplished throughout this year. If you didn't attend, please take a look at the April minutes. You will see that so much goes on outside of the general meetings and activities.

Furthermore, our Charity Gala dinner showed how valuable you actually are. There were so many donations from distinguished people who recognize us as a well established and extraordinary organization. They came from the Taipei community as well as around the island. We received contributions from the President of the Republic of China and down to some of the smallest companies on the Island. They were given by the Taipei Mayor as well as the Kaohsiang Mayor. In addition, they came from Taichung. Government officials, large companies, hotels, and airlines were very well represented. The Taichung community was likewise represented at our Gala by a distinguished delegation.

It was a high honor to have H.E. Frederick Chien, the President of the Control Yuan, as our key note speaker. He was accompanied by his highly esteemed wife, Madame Julie Chien. Dr. Cecilia Koo delivered a message from our honorary President, Madame Chiang Kai-Shek, which the thrill will remain in my heart forever.

You all looked so beautiful and I hope you had a fabulous time. Since this was a new experience for most of us, in handling such a large number of people, please forgive the mistakes. Just write them down and submit them to the next year's Ways and Means committee to assure they will not be repeated. Better yet, volunteer to help in that area next year. With more volunteers, we are bound not to repeat the same errors and our Gala will become twice as successful!

I am happy to announce that TIWC's 1999-2000 President will be Bi-Yu Liu, known to many of us as Jade. I am sure she will do a wonderful job. She certainly has proved herself as our second vice president.

The other board members are:
1rst VP- Maria Rybichi
2nd VP- Bi Hua Nien Lo
Treasurer- Vivian Chen
Membership-Lily Yeh
Social Services-Emily Yang
Publicity- Jessie Wang
Chinese P.R.-Christine Chang
Hospitality-Athena Ding Lin
Secretary- Catherine Chu Hsieh
Editor- Madeline Koh Chu
Ways and Means-Sandy Taylor

There are some new faces and many you have seen this year.

I want to thank last year's board for at times, the never ending hours of work. You were fabulous!

Again let me say, it certainly has been an extraordinary experience. You are such a remarkable and appreciative group. I will never forget the warmth and kindness I have received from all of you. I will cherish the memories wherever I go.

Thank you for a marvelous year.

Susan Milla

Dear Ladies,

Well, Gala Diner is behind us and I hope you all had a wonderful time with your friends. We have been working very hard to have the greatest Gala Dinner ever. I think we have succeeded.

Our 98/99 TIWC activities are over. During the next 2 months some of you will leave Taiwan to go to visit your relatives or friends in different countries. Some, like me will stay , carry on with our jobs, suffer the summer heat in Taipei. I hope to here from you from time to time. I am still planning to go to Tibet (first week in August) so if you would like to join me on this trip, just give me a call.

Our Board this year was very dynamic and full of exciting new ideas. I would like to thank you, the membership, the President and the Board for all the support each has given to me throughout last year. I met many new friends and I have really enjoyed working with you .

I am looking forward working with you again next year. I will try to do my best so we can have another wonderful year.

But to do it even better we will need more volunteers for our next year exciting programs. We will need an assistance in running different activities groups, as well. So ladies feel free to join in all the fun and excitement of being the part of the active group of TIWC. You will not regret it!

See you in September!

Yours
Maria Rybicki
First Vice President