My dear CADS,
How are you all? Despite the frequent rain showers I do feel that Summer is finally here. At least my beanie and gloves have been abandoned when I walk my dog!
A chance remark at Friday’s lunch indicated that some members don’t seem to know what is happening in the club. Perhaps the newsletters are not well read; the messages are not clear; or we are simply losing our ability to retain info! In these missives, I aim to tell everyone about recent activity in the club and what is planned for coming months, but maybe this is not the right vehicle. The purpose of the newsletter is to keep you abreast of our events, and member activity so that friendships are made and maintained, and you can incorporate CADS into your busy lives. Do let me know of how I can improve the newsletter so that it better meets your needs. I’ve been writing the newsletter each month since I took over the chair in January 2021, (that’s 40 newsletters!) so would welcome all constructive feedback!
May meeting
Our guest speaker at Friday’s May meeting was Keith Allen, the Deputy Head of Mission a.k.a. the Deputy UK Ambassador to the Netherlands. Keith was really a wonderful speaker. Joining the Foreign Office from school, he has been posted to the most amazing places. He recounted tales of postings in Kabul, Moscow, Kiev, and Miami to name just a few. Keith spoke of the mutually beneficial relationship of CADS with the UK Embassy here in the Netherlands and was also quite candid about the UK’s place in both Europe and the world stage, which I for one found quite refreshing. He came to the Netherlands last August and is hoping to be here for several years to come, so hopefully there will be future opportunities for us to invite him back!
New Members intro
I am delighted to introduce 2 new members to you. Ian Saggers, nominated by Marc Van Eck: After failing to make the grade as a concert pianist many decades ago, Ian came to the Netherlands in 2015 as MD of a Banking technology department. Having struggled with UK boating life for many years, he has found his little piece of heaven on the Dutch lakes and canals. Welcome Ian!
Jason Collins, nominated by Jennie Monon: Jason moved to Amsterdam with his wife Yasemin eighteen months ago after spending fourteen years in Prague. Jason works as a Senior Wealth Manager for a British privately owned leading global investment advisory company helping clients reach their objectives. Jason is a member of the Netherlands British Chamber of Commerce as well as now being a proud member of CADS. Welcome Jason!
Member Update
Benno Pieters is a long-time member of CADS, and I am delighted that he has started again being a regular attendee at our lunches and dinners. He has recently written a book with Shokoofeh Ketabchi, who was also his guest at Friday’s lunch. The book is a guide in entrepreneurship and how to set up an AI powered business. Benno and Shokoofeh will be our speakers in September to give us much more detail on their publication. In the meantime, please contact Benno (or me) if you would like to buy a copy of their book.
Annual CADS agenda
Our plans for meetings for the rest of the year are coming together. Our Lustrum (Golden Jubilee) celebration dinner will be in November. It will either be on Thursday November 14th or 21st . I expect the IGC to confirm this shortly. It would be super if members who have perhaps moved away from the NL or don’t manage to come along to many events could make a special effort to come to that event, so that we can celebrate in style.
Please also remember Dorette’s kind invitation to her garden in June. Dorette Ouwehand Schilte, has extended an invitation to all CADS members to her place in Amsterdam, on Friday June 14th from 5 to 7.30pm. Dorette is taking part in the Open Garden Days along the Amsterdam Canals, when visitors can purchase a pass to view around 23 gardens (including Dorette’s), on June 14,15, and 16. Thank you Dorette, for the kind invitation.
Calendar of events
See our events page for the latest schedule of events for your agendas. Many of you are super busy so please put ALL these dates in your diary NOW!
