Wednesday, June 8

Quota conference held in the Whitsundays


 The Quota 40th District Annual Conference was a fun-filled four-day event, held from Wednesday to Saturday last week. Conference functions included a ‘meet and greet’ for Australian and international Quota members at the VMR in Cannonvale on Thursday, and a formal dinner at Peppers Coral Coast Resort on Friday night.
 The conference officially began on Wednesday June 1, with the arrival of Quota International President Gwenn Jackson. Ms Jackson engaged in a ‘listening tour’, whereby a group of non-Quota members were invited to identify what young people of today are seeking in terms of volunteerism.
 Ms Jackson said like many service organisations, Quota was in danger of becoming an ageing group, so to connect with the younger generations was important.
 “These young adults really do want to make an impact in their communities. They maybe communicate a little differently but that doesn’t diminish what they would hope to accomplish. Quota is trying to identify how we can join with them,” she said.
 Ms Jackson was full of praise for Quota Whitsunday Inc, describing members as “playful yet serious about their work”.
 “They have a genuine care and concern for their members and each other but also their community,” she said.
 President of Quota Whitsunday Kerrie McCallum-Coles said hosting the conference was “just brilliant”.
 “It’s a very big honour to host this event. The conference rotates through all the clubs in the district. Currently there are seven, so this is now a once-in-seven-year event,” she said.
 Ms McCallum-Coles said a big “thank you” should go to the conference committee and particularly Jeanette Gray, who organised the event.
 Ms Gray said feedback from the conference was good.
 “We’ve had lots of motivational positive speakers and having the international president here has been the icing on the cake.
 “We’re hoping we’ve learned some ways in which we can encourage others to join this incredible organisation,” she said
 Local resident Jenni Cridland was officially inducted back into Quota on Friday night.
 “I was in Quota a few years ago but because of family commitments I had to give it away. I’m very pleased to be back – it feels like coming home,” Ms Cridland said.
 Ms Cridland said Quota offered women of the Whitsundays great opportunities to give back to the community and further their own personal development.
 “Those are the main things I’ve come back for – the friendship and the fun and to serve our community. Being a part of something like this heightens your self-confidence,” she said.
 For more information about the Whitsunday Quota Club contact Kerrie McCallum-Coles on 0409 222 548.

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