2023 Annual Report
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Virtual activities remained one of the strong ways FAUSA members connect with each other.<br />
Seven book clubs and nine virtual activities met at least monthly, with some getting together<br />
more frequently. A new Social and Speakers series was introduced as a result of a<br />
suggestion at the 2022 <strong>Annual</strong> Meeting, to give FAUSA members the opportunity to get<br />
together more frequently. Members of metro groups met monthly or less frequently for social<br />
and philanthropic events, depending on the location.<br />
Led by 2nd VP, Membership , Yolanda Henry, the FAUSA TransCanada Virtual Mission<br />
engaged participants in friendly competition between three teams. Congratulations to the<br />
Loonies on being the first team to reach the east coast of Canada! Membership remains<br />
strong with a total of 261 as the <strong>Annual</strong> <strong>Report</strong> goes to press. The 2022 membership total<br />
was a record 279, including several men. Yolanda and her repatriation team held a<br />
Zoom-based repatriation webinar for FAWCO members returning to live in North America.<br />
FAUSA Secretary , Leslie Nelson, organized a trans-Atlantic crossing and cruise on the<br />
Queen Mary 2 from New York to Southampton in May <strong>2023</strong>. 23 FAUSA members, friends and<br />
family members enjoyed a memorable week together, including daily activities where we<br />
could all meet. The booking travel agency, Boca Express Travel, made a donation to FAUSA<br />
for each stateroom. A Caribbean cruise on the 342-guest WindStar flagship, the newly<br />
renovated Wind Surf, will continue the new FAUSA annual cruise tradition. A 2025 cruise<br />
destination and dates will be announced at the <strong>Annual</strong> Meeting in Nashville.<br />
FAUSA Members Connect with FAWCO and The FAWCO Foundation<br />
Many FAUSA members are active on FAWCO and The FAWCO Foundation boards and<br />
teams. These connections work both ways as FAUSA members share information about<br />
FAUSA while communicating the latest developments with FAUSA. Publicity about FAUSA<br />
and outreach to FAWCO clubs by FAWCO Liaison , Suzanne MacNeil, led to an increase in<br />
committed FAWCO and Foundation members joining and becoming active in FAUSA.<br />
FAUSA members presented a panel workshop at FAWCO’s meeting in Bratislava in March<br />
<strong>2023</strong> with over 20 people attending. We also hosted its first in-person Happy Hour for all<br />
Bratislava attendees, with opportunities for connections and conversations, sparking interest<br />
for future repats, getting the FAUSA word out and having FUN! Two FAUSA-nominated<br />
projects were awarded The FAWCO Foundation Development Grants.<br />
Fourteen FAUSA members have been featured in various ways in FAWCO’s publication,<br />
Inspiring Women .<br />
Philanthropy<br />
Sue Frick, 3rd VP, Philanthropy , and her teams were again very busy this year as they<br />
reviewed the FAUSA <strong>Annual</strong> Grant application procedure and awards (two $5000) and<br />
reviewed auction platforms. The importance of the philanthropy position to FAUSA was<br />
recognized when the board voted to change the title to 3rdVP, Philanthropy from Philanthropy
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