The Pattaya City Expats Club meeting on March 26, 2017, marked this date for two major events for the Club. The Club was founded in March 2001; thus, it being the Club’s 16th anniversary following its motto of Expats Helping Expats. It also marked the last Sunday the Club would meet at the Tavern by the Sea (formerly Harry J. Beans), which has been Club’s “home” for the past 15 years.
PCEC Governing Board Chairman Roy Albiston opened the meeting by wishing all members and guests a Happy Anniversary! He provided a brief overview of the Club’s history and how the 16th year of the Club’s motto, “Expats Helping Expats”, has been so successful. He also reminded everyone what it was like, back in 2001.
Janet Jackson’s “All for You” was the last of Jackson’s No. 1 hits. The film “Gladiator” staring Russell Crowe was topped only by Mission Impossible II for worldwide box office numbers. The “Air Powered Pogo Stick” was invented to replace the retro metal springs of the classic pogo stick. The Infrared Massage Chair was also invented in Japan, which utilized some 350 acupressure points and provided a customized Shiatsu-style massage.
Roy expressed appreciation for all of the cooperation the Amari’s Tavern by the Sea staff have provided over the years.
Judith Edmonds, board treasurer and membership chairperson, expressed good wishes from some long-time members and past board members who were not able to attend the celebration.
Max Rommel, founding member, governing member emeritus and longest serving chairman, reminisced about the formation of the club. He explained the reasons why members decided to change the name to the Pattaya City Expats Club. Max, as the club’s historian has kept numerous records over the years, which has taken up a lot of space. But, after a lot effort, he has condensed this information into a series of “books” that document the history of the club. Unfortunately, Max has not been able to participate with the club for several years, due to business interests and a move away from Pattaya, but he expresses his profound appreciation to the members, board members and to the Amari staff for making PCEC the success it has become.
Richard Smith, who joined the Club shortly after it began and has been a long time board member, talked about some of the early challenges that members faced with continuing the PCEC’s operation as a non-profit non-commercial organization. He explained that the 7 to 11 member governing board determines the policies and administers the affairs of the club. He encouraged anyone with an interest in becoming a board member to contact any current board members for information. He talked about the co-operation and support provided by the old Soi 8 Immigration Office and the Soi 9 Police Station personnel. He also thanked the Amari staff for the many years of support and talked about the future of the Amari rebuilding and that it was going to be “a big surprise” and a great addition to the area. He concluded by explaining the move to the Holiday Inn, Executive Building, Work Shop and some of their generous discounts available to Club members.
Paul Strachan, assistant editor for the Pattaya Mail Media Group, “Pattaya’s First English Language Newspaper”, talked about the 24-year history of the newspaper/news group and the early connections with PCEC. He pointed out that the newspaper’s motto of “Serving the Community” closely parallels the PCEC motto, “Expats Helping Expats” and that the close association between the organizations has had its roots from the very beginning. The paper provides an almost full-page space for the club to present meeting information and activities, within the “Our Community” section. Paul talked about changes within the news reporting industry and the necessity to include electronic media such as Facebook, YouTube and a website, but he believes that “news-paper” continues to have a niche for the foreseeable future. He looks forward to joining us at the new location in the Holiday Inn.
Roy returned to the stage and presented slides providing clear direction to next week’s new location at the Holiday Inn (just south of the Tavern by the Sea, Beach Road), Executive Tower, fourth floor, Work Shop area Meeting Rooms. A video and slides are available in the Pattaya City Expats Newsletter/website. A map and directions can be found at: http://www.pattayacityexpatsclub.com/expats/docs/WE%20HAVE%20MOVED.pdf.
For more information on the Club and their activities, visit www.pcec.club.
