The New Expat Club in North-East

[aznyron]

Geordie to quote you I have no information to share only opinion and I do hope this expats club that
we are trying to get started is more than just sharing information because we can get that on
udonmap.com and trust me you will get loads of it some truth and some exaggerated stories
but all in all you will get the best information available. that one of the reason why I suggested
no alcohol at the meeting while in progress it seems to affect the tongue & the brain and I for one do not want to listen to some one who is 3 sheets to the wind

[hockeybrit]

that one of the reason why I suggested
no alcohol at the meeting while in progress it seems to affect the tongue & the brain and I for one do not want to listen to some one who is 3 sheets to the wind

At two o'clock in the afternoon

IMHO there should be no "Ban" on beer during the meeting. From my experience in UK, the best meetings are those where all those present are willing to have an input from start to finish. A "ban" will mean that certain individuals will wan't to "speed the meeting along" and that usually results in items being closed before everyone has had their say.
Having been on several "DRY" committees, I am certain that a ban during the meetings will result, fairly quickly, into an increase in the "Appologies for absence" column in the minutes book

[laphanphon]

if you CAN'T wait a mere hour to have a brew, then maybe you are attending the wrong meetings


love that edit tool

[Geordie]

Ron, what i wrote was just a short answer to Astana's question im sure that once established the Ex Pats club will have much more to offer. Hope this clears up that point for you.

[BKKSTAN]

if you can wait a mere hour to have a brew, then maybe you are attending the wrong meetings

Man ,you are quick! My name is......and I am a ..................

[Pakawala]

Personally, I thought LA didn't phrase it correctly - if you CAN'T wait a mere hour to have a brew... would seem to make more sense to me.

Secondly, I'm not one to have a brew at 2 PM but I know some who do and that's just fine with me. I also have NO PROBLEM telling someone who is obnoxious or drunk to 'shut up and sit down', if he's disturbing the meeting. I do NOT associate having a mid-day drink to being DRUNK or DISORDERLY. I'd rather see an extra 5 or 6 (or more) members attending our meetings with a brew than to have them boycott the meeting altogether only because we've decided to override their option to imbibe.

It seems to me that we're trying to initiate a new club and as such, we should be looking for ways to encourage as many new members as possible. Putting a ban on drinking during the meeting will only offend some and they will spread the word in a negative fashion. As for me, No Harm, No Foul.

Maybe along with electing a Secretary, Treasurer and Vise President, we should also elect a Sgt. at Arms who is a non-drinker and can keep an eye on those who wish to have a drink.

[laphanphon]

CAN'T

thanks pal

[beer monkey]

Tea,Biscuits and some cucumber sandwiches(Crusts trimmed) would be they way to go.

[Khun Paul]

While I applaud the initial meeting, I was looking for, but never saw the proposed agenda, hence the comment that the conversation just bounced around various actions and thoughts.
membership is a sticky proposition, if we are intending to go down the road of membership and therefore dues, the club must be set up in line with the local charity laws, so that the books are open and any profit so raised ( if any ) can be duly given to whomsoever we choose.
We would therefore need a lawyer, accountant, and a board of trustees or appointed directors of such a club. IF we also have member shp fees then all members must be able to vote on various amendments etc;

Rules would have to be promulgated so that we would all understand the set up and running of this Club.

These rules could have a section headed general behavioural rules of club meetings to include no drinking during the meeting or smoking in a confined room ( not a problem if air-conditioned) as somoking banned by law anyway.

Setting up the club a good idea but we should start as we mean to go on, a meeting un-organised and ill concieved and generally a shambolic affair will last a very short time and m,any people will then become disenchanted . As Ron said a general infoormation club is not required as we already have that with udon map.
I a not trying to put a damper on the proceedings just putting in my pennyworth, which may dissuade some people but would probably have the approval of the majority, I think. I could be wrong but I doubt it.

[Pakawala]

Doubt no longer, Khun Paul... I've been a member of a local 'club' which donates our 'excess' funds to the Boys Home in Nong Khai. We do NOT have a lawyer, nor an accountant nor a board of trustees of appointed directors. Neither do we have any written rules set up... the club has run rather well for well over 5 years and the boys at the home truly enjoy our 'gifts'. Oh yeah, when we meet, everyone has the option to drink as much as he desires.

It is your ideas of 'organization' that often turns off the prospective members from joining.

Now, having said the above, I am NOT in favor of having no rules / regulations, it's just that they are not necessarily required so long as all members have the same interest. In the case of the expat club, I feel rules will be a boon to the operations of the club and the election of officers to 'take charge' will also be necessary. I think the 1st meeting was a bit haphazard but that doesn't mean it was a bad meeting. People showed up and obviously had some interest in seeing this happen and I feel this was precisely what was needed for a 1st meeting. Now we can go on to the next step(s) and run the next meeting based on a true agenda and run in accordance with such.

[stattointhailand]

Agree with 95% ........ only bit I can't agree is the idea of elected officers "TAKING CHARGE".

Committee members are voted into the positions to carry out the wishes of the club members. It is the membership that is in charge of the Officers, not the other way round. If the Officers start to make the rules then the "CLUB" is doomed from the start.

Having said that, I couldn't make the first meeting as I was at the other end of Thailand, but have made a note of the next one and hope to attend. Good luck to all, just remember it's a "Social Club", not an Army regiment

[Lars Erik Brandt]

Anything to do the 18th of february?? or maybe some of you writers and others should be interested to come and have a guidance at the Panyavejinter Hospital in Udon Thani!!
The new Expat Club in North-East are invited this day at 14.00 to take a look inside at hospital with all their facilities and also to meet the managment,people from International dept. and of course English-speaking doctors and more. Maybe we can discuss reduktion on healt-checkup and more. All in favors for you!! The club dont get any promotion only those who are interested! Just give me a call at: 08 6450 9380 or an e-mail on:larsbrandt407@hotmail.com , so i know how mny we will be. Refreshment will be served!!

The New Expat Club in North-East/Lars Erik Brandt

[stoneman]

Lars..

Great Effort and needed...But I have a problem, which might be unique to me or might be the same for other members...I have BUPA for my family and there are 3 hospitals in Udon that are listed as approved...AEK Udon, Northeastern Wattana and Paoli...

Not sure what is involved in getting approved, but it keeps me from participating in your effort...

Stoneman

[Lars Erik Brandt]

Yes, "stoneman", i know that there is people who already have covered their lifes like you for instance with BUPA and others who have private doctors or clinics to go to. But,, it maybe could be interest of some reason just to take a look and compare what they can offer i quality rehabilitation and more and its just free to get informed. So if you can spare 1 hour or so and bring your wife with you if you like, just look , just see, and maybe,,,,!!!!
Nice day to you!! Lars Erik Brandt

[aznyron]

well also some of us are to old to get insurance so a discount on medical care is a big plus for us
at 71 I can not get any insurance and my Medicare from the USA does not cover you out side of the USA so I cancelled mine when I moved here. so now I am at the mercy of the hospital if I should need them

[stattointhailand]

there are 3 hospitals in Udon that are listed as approved...AEK Udon, Northeastern Wattana and Paoli...

err isn't paoli(paolo?) the other name for Panyavejinter Hospital ?

[bugseda]

Not to rain on anyone's parade, but i read somewhere (maybe this site) that Paolo or Panyavejinter as it is now called is having some financial challenges and is apparently up for sale for a mere 300 million baht.

Not confirmed, just what I read somewhere recently.

Could be just a rumor I do not know. If Panyavejinter is going to offer some type of insurance, I would make sure that all is well with their finances before purchasing any insurance there.

Maybe someone can ask management during the 18th meeting what the story is.

that is all......

[Lars Erik Brandt]

Hello Gentlemen,,, Dont forget about next week when we are invited to the PanyavejInter Hospital to guied us around and we meet at 14.00 in the lobby!! Any "expat" are invited and if you want your lady with thats ok too!!
If you want to call me my officetelephone are out of line(broken) but still my mobile is working on:08 3672 5641.

Ok,, welcome to the hospital and dont forget the new meeting at the Irish Clock, Sunday the 22:nd at 14.00!

[kevh]

I may have missed this, but does this club have any aimes or goals??

All i keep reading is people bickering about whether it is right or wrong to drink during the meetings???

Surely, you all understand that none of you are in a superior position from which they and dictate to others.

Am i wrong????

I would just like to know once the petty arguing has stopped, what will the club be aiming to achieve???

If it will be a place where members can come together, talk, share experiences, give advice, and socialise hopefully at a lower cost than any of the other places, as it will not be seeking to make a profit, then i think its a great idea.

But i still dont know for sure what it is mean't to be.?????

Please tell me.....

Kev

[Pakawala]

Kev, I'll try to give you MY understanding of what the Expat Club is supposed to be about.

We will meet monthly (more often if it's found to be needed) and the meetings will be held to a time limit, now considering 1 to 1.5 hours. The club organizers (elected representatives) as well as other members, will suggest or offer persons of various offices and organizations within the community, to speak to the members and offer insight into the offerings or expectations of these offices & organizations. We have ample opportunity on udonmap.com forum for numerous personal inputs concerning such things as lawyers, immigration, hospital services, insurance, tourist police, etc., but this club will give us the opportunity to get the information directly from the subject organizations without the personal bias of the members. Plus it will provide an opportunity to ask questions and get proper answers.

This is NOT being formed to be a SOCIAL CLUB as such. It will/should be conducted with proper rules being followed as to how the meetings will progress and who will be given the 'floor' for a particular issue. Proper minutes should be recorded and published for the use of the members who may have missed a particular meeting. If dues are collected (or any money for any purpose) then a treasurer should be assigned to keep track of such funds and make a report at each meeting.

I'm sure there are other points that should be addressed but feel this will give you a rough idea as to just what will be offered. If you're looking to sit around with a bunch of friends and have general 'chit chat' about what ever subject that may come up, this is not the intent of the Expat Club. In fact, that sounds like the meetings that are currently being conducted at the udonmap night market meetings and, as enjoyable as these meetings are to attend, we don't really accomplish much other than to have a good time and share a few drinks.

Now, having said all of this, you must realize this is a public forum and only my own personal opinions. I may be completely wrong in regard to the Expat Club's reason for existence but, this is my view of what is to be expected.

Cheers