My dear CADS,
I hope this finds you well and you are enjoying these early days of Autumn when we are still enjoying the benefits of the clocks moving for Daylight Savings. An alarm? Not needed in this first week!
October Meeting
Our October lunch was taken up by our AGM and as we didn’t have a guest speaker for me to tell you about in this newsletter, I have decided to include my AGM speech as the Chair of CADS. This way I can be assured that you are up to date with all that is happening with CADS (assuming you read this newsletter!). Below is my message as Chair for this AGM.
AGM Speech
“I assumed the role of Chair in January 2021 during the midst of COVID-19 restrictions. It is remarkable to realise that I am now approaching my sixth year in this position, and I am finally feeling increasingly confident in fulfilling its responsibilities.
However, I am still learning, as highlighted by our new Treasurer, Peter Smethurst, who recently reminded me that AGMs should ideally be held within six months of the year’s end. Due to pandemic-related postponements and the hope of returning to face-to-face meetings, we delayed the AGM in 2021, which has resulted in our current autumn schedule. We will address this moving forward; the 2025 AGM will take place in May 2026.
On a personal note, I have begun preparations to return to the United Kingdom where my three sons reside, in anticipation of retirement,. It is therefore with considerable regret that I announce my intention to step down as Chair. The Board has met to consider succession, and I am pleased to report that Julia Heidstra has been identified as an excellent candidate to succeed me and she has accepted the challenge! Thank you Julia. I will formally resign and hand over the Chair to Julia in March 2026. Her appointment can be confirmed at the 2025 AGM in May 2026. But until then, I will continue to serve as Chair – no change at the top!
Reflecting on last year’s AGM commitments, I pledged to grow membership, increase event attendance, facilitate CADS’ entry into KIGC, and develop a new website. We have achieved three out of four of these goals. Unfortunately, joining the KIGC proved financially unfeasible at this time.
Regarding the website, Peter Smethurst, Julia Heidstra, and I have collaborated closely with a developer recommended by fellow member Benno Peters. We plan to launch the new website in conjunction with the November event. While the appearance may not differ substantially, significant improvements have been made to event management and payment processes to reduce administrative burdens for both the Chair and Treasurer.
Going forward, members will be able to book and pay for events directly through the website, modernising our operations. For those who prefer the previous sign-up methods, we will also provide an invitation system via WhatsApp.
Further details about the website launch will be communicated by the Board at the start of November, and we welcome your feedback after launch. I would especially like to thank Peter Smethurst for his invaluable contributions in liaising with the website designer and helping tailor the platform to our organisation’s specific needs.
Thank you for your continued support”. [END]
📸 Photo Consent Reminder
Some of these photos may appear on publicly accessible pages of the CADS website. If you’d prefer not to appear in any images, just let me know. Otherwise, I’ll assume you’re happy for us to include your smiling face
We’re always looking for excellent speakers—particularly for 2026 and beyond—so if you know someone compelling (or would like to speak yourself!), let me know. We don’t pay external speakers, but we do thank them with a nice lunch and a bottle of something lovely.
Calendar of events
To help with planning ahead, here’s our confirmed event calendar for the rest of 2025 and 2026. Please note a few dates are slightly off the usual 3rd Friday due to venue availability.
Charity Donation Update
As was mentioned in September’s newsletter CADS has donated to two of the Maggie’s Centres in Groningen and Cardiff. Peter Smethurst received this thank you email from the Cardiff Centre. You can find more information on Maggie’s in general on https://www.maggies.org/ and on the Groningen centre on https://www.maggiescenters.nl/
Dear Peter
Thank you so much for the CADS donation of £650 for Maggie’s in Cardiff. I can confirm receipt and wanted to say how much we appreciate your support. Please can you pass on our thanks to all involved in CADS from all of us here in the Cardiff centre. If you’re ever in the area and want to pop in, please do let me know and I can arrange a visit.
With very best wishes
Rachael
Rachael Davies
Centre Fundraising Manager Cardiff
Final Note
Thanks for all your ongoing support and enthusiasm. It’s what makes CADS such a special community.
Our next event is the November Lunch on November 7th, at 12.30, at the KIGC in Amsterdam.
