January 2015 Newsletter

Editor: Catherine D. Kobasiuk Assistant: Marina Kobasiuk

Presidents Message

Happy New Year!

This will be the 25th issue of the MBPOA Newsletter that I will have edited. I did not foresee my tenure as newsletter editor lasting so long when I first volunteered at the end of 2012. It has been a rewarding experience including the innate difficulties in publishing. Some of the issues were delayed and I apologize for them and for this one which is behind schedule also. The holidays are rough but then I came down sick and everyone knows how that goes. I hope everyone can forgive my tardiness.

So let me begin again...

Happy New Year! Here we go again, another new year. Last year saw a lot of work done at and a lot of thinking about the MBPOA. Everyone on the Board is striving to help define the purpose and the image of the MBPOA to our members and the community. I know I've been trying to determine where the most effort is needed and how to promote the MBPOA and its mission to a wider audience. Unfortunately, as anyone who reads the back of the newsletter knows we do not have a treasurer right now. I have been filling that role and have learned a great deal about the MBPOA in the process. However, paying bills does cut into my time, which keeps me from doing more complex things for the MBPOA. That being said this is my first formal request for one of our resident members to please step up and volunteer to help the MBPOA out. If you can balance your check book you can do this job. I will teach you what you need to know and will keep the job very simple and straight from the bylaws. We use Quickbooks on the computer and everything would be over seen by the Officers and Board of Directors and our Accountant. I find working with everyone in the office to be an enjoyable and rewarding experience. We all make our own volunteer hours during the week to accommodate our jobs and families so please consider helping out.

On the other hand, treasurer isn't the only job available to anyone who would like to help at the MBPOA. We always need interested people who want to become involved and make friends. There are vigorous jobs for strong men and women and jobs for those of us whose back isn't that strong anymore. Sometimes the MBPOA just needs your ideas and your voice to help. There are a lot of members I haven't met yet and I am inviting you all personally to come down to the general meetings and any other activity. Making the effort to connect with your neighbors and fellow MBPOA members is a wonderful way to enrich your life in 2015.


Have a Happy and Healthy New Year,

Catherine D. Kobasiuk

MBPOA President

  General Meeting

The January General Membership Meeting is rescheduled to Thursday January 8 due to the New Year being on the first Thursday of the month. The guest speaker will be NYS Assemblyman Dean Murray.

December General Meeting

Great fun was had at the December General Membership Meeting/ Christmas Party. The potluck supper allowed the members to show off some of their favorite dishes. We would like to thank Walter Haass for making such a wonderful Santa and Financial Secretary Lynne Debona for decorating the tables. The members were led in Christmas Carols by Rebecca Snyder and Director Kevin Collins manned the bar. We thank everyone who attended for making the party so festive and lively.

Non-Perishable Food Drive

The MBPOA Food Drive is doing very well and will continue throughout the winter. Please bring non perishable food. In addition personal grooming and hygien products for both men and women are needed also. Please put them in the blue box in the foyer. No expired food please.

Membership News

Membership packets have been mailed out. Inside you will find raffle tickets for our Membership Drive Raffle which will be drawn at our March 2015 Nite at the Races. The raffle tickets are $5 each and the prizes are $500 cash and $250 cash for 1st prize and 2nd prize respectively. Please fill out the stubs completely and mail back with payment and your membership forms to P.O. Box 212 Mastic Beach, NY 11951.

If you have not received a membership packet, or are missing the raffle tickets please call the office and leave a message. We would be happy to get you the materials you need and if any of your friends or neighbors would like to join please feel free to request another packet.

When completing your membership forms please make sure all your information is accurate so that you can receive all our newsletters and email updates.

Volunteer Work

If anyone has high school or middle school students in need of volunteer hours have them contact President Catherine Kobasiuk at 879-2881. There is usually light office work to do once or twice a month. When the spring cleaning season hits we will have outside work to do also.

Clock Fund Drive

The clock fund is getting very close. When we reach the necessary amount President Kobasiuk has a very special clock in mind that will please everyone. Donations can be sent to our P.O. Box or put in the collection jar at the clubhouse.

Country Dancing

Country Dancing will be held on January 2 and 16. Admission is $8 for MBPOA members and $10 for guests. There is a 50/50 raffle, complimentary coffee and cake and a cash bar. No outside beverages please. Remember to bring something for the MBPOA Food Drive.

MBPOA Liaison Officers

We are looking for MBPOA members who are active in other local clubs to act as MBPOA liaison officers and help keep us up to date on what their other club is doing and to help pass information back and forth. If you are active in one or more local clubs or groups and would like to participate with us in this way please email the club at mbpoa1928@optonline.net or call the clubhouse and leave a message at 399-6111.

Fridays Nights

Friday nights are Meet & Greet at the MBPOA Clubhouse Bar. Members and their guests are invited to stop by for a drink (alcoholic or not) and a chat. Nights that are not Country Dancing nights sometimes become karaoke nights. Bring something for the MBPOA Food Drive, please.

Hall Rental News

Director Michelle Wilkinson has been doing a brisk business renting the halls for the MBPOA. If you would like to rent the hall please call the clubhouse number 399-6111 and leave your number with a message or fill out the request form on our website www.masticbeachpropertyownersassociation.org

Marina News

Section 1 Marina is filling up quickly. Since Section 5 Marina is not opening this season do not delay in reserving your slip in Marina 1.

January Monthly Calendar

January 1st – New Years Day
January 2nd – Country Dancing – 7:30pm*
January 8th - General Meeting (second Thursday)
January 9th – Petition Signing Party for the New Horizons Party – 6- 10pm*
January 15th - Board of Directors Meeting – 7pm
January 16th - Country Dancing – 7:30pm*
January 19th – Martin Luther King Jr. Day
January 23rd - Meet & Greet – 7pm*
January 30th - Meet & Greet – 7pm*
*Bar Open

Future Events

February 5th – General Meeting
February 14th – Valentine's Day
February 16th – Washington's Birthday
February 19th – Board of Directors Meeting

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