Membership
Development Conference 2005
You witnessed the final episodes of Seinfeld,
Friends, and Frasier!
After many seasons of success, you are now invited to witness the
14th and final episode of MDC!
MDC, The Finale…
“Bridging to New Possibilities!”
Friday, July 29 – Saturday, July 30
The Westin Galleria Hotel
5060 West Alabama, Houston, Texas 77056 |
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The original concept
for a Membership Development Conference was born in the early ‘90s.
It was conceived to be an event at which all registered adults and
staff of GSSJC could preview new programs and ideas while interacting
with peers and forming new friendships and relationships.
In essence, it was to be a “kick-off”
for the new membership year. For 13 years the event has been held
during the latter part of July, between resident camp closing and
the school year beginning. Those thirteen years saw many changes
within the Council. The volunteer base changed due to more and more
women working outside the home. This eventually resulted in a need
for a new volunteer structure to accomplish the all-important tasks
of recruitment and retention of girls and adults.
Following MDC 2004, it was determined that the volunteers would
be better served by a change of format to the annual Membership
Development Conference. For that reason, MDC 2005 will be the last
event of its kind. Exciting new possibilities are being reviewed
and will be announced prior to the start of the 2005 Fall recruitment
period.
MDC is a great happening, but it is
time to look to the future. Before we do that, however, we will
look to the past. MDC 2005 will showcase a return to all the traditions
that have come to be affiliated with the annual Membership Development
Conference. There will still be some new elements and some great
surprises, and of course, Membership will still be the main focus
of the conference, making MDC 2005 – the finale – a
“not to be missed” event.
“Salute to MDC” Song Competition…
There’s no better way to remember MDC than to
immortalize it in song. Review the guidelines on page 37, form
a group to represent your service unit, pick a melody, draft
the lyrics, maybe add a little choreography and submit your
video taped original song - saluting MDC! Get those creative
juices flowing and enter today! Entry form and guidelines are
also located online at www.gssjc.org.
Service Project GSSJC continues to appreciate
the women and men who serve in the Armed Forces. What is often
not realized, however, is the difficulty faced by the spouses
and children left behind to keep the home fires burning. Enlisted
personnel do not make huge salaries and it is often a struggle
for the families just to make ends meet. To further show our
appreciation to those who are serving to protect our freedom,
each MDC attendee is asked to bring at least one non-perishable
food: canned, bottled, or boxed item to be given to a food bank
especially set-up to serve the military families of deployed
personnel. Paper products are also needed. Information as to
where to deposit your donation will be detailed on your MDC
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confirmation card. Anyone interested in helping
with the on site management of the service project, please contact
Kathie Burkhardt at kburkhardt@houston.rr.com.
Bid You Adieu Party If we must “bid-MDC-adieu!”
then let’s do it with a bang! Join your Girl Scout friends
for a little late night fun after the Friday night Opening
Session. Among other happenings, the party will showcase the
top three songs from the “Salute to MDC” Song
Competition, allowing you to cast your vote for your #1 choice.
The gathering will include snacks, a cash bar, a DJ, dancing,
MDC trivia, and more.
Special Recognitions Continuing with tradition,
a few recognitions will be bestowed at MDC. A very special
recognition, traditionally awarded at the Saturday luncheon
is The Ervin Chew Award. This award is named in honor of the
late Ervin Chew, an outstanding GSSJC volunteer and board
member. The recognition will be given to the individual who
has best demonstrated the Council’s commitment to pluralism
during the 2004-05 membership year.
General Assemblies Delicious meals, camaraderie
and wonderful surprises await you at the four general assemblies
of MDC, |
The Finale. They are the Friday evening dinner and Conference
Opening, the Saturday morning General Assembly, the Saturday
Conference Luncheon and Keynote Address, and the Saturday Conference
Closing Session.
The Amazing Mike Mesmer “Eyes”
Back by popular demand! You must be in your seat after the
Conference Opening dinner for the featured performance of
Mike Mesmer “Eyes.” He was the entertainment hit
of MDC in 1997 and he’s back to help us celebrate MDC,
The Finale. The Mike Mesmer “Eyes” Hypnotic Review
is a fast-paced, exciting and hilarious show involving the
audience in several ingenious and creative activities. This
Las Vegas-styled sensational show is overwhelming and non-stop,
with screams of laughter during the show to standing ovations
following his unbelievable finale. The performance you will
experience is a hypnotic extravaganza where you either see
the show or be the show. If you choose to just watch, you
will be totally amazed, educated and guaranteed to laugh so
hard your stomach will ache. However if you choose to participate,
you will have more fun than anyone in the room.
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