Skål Chiang Mai held their first meeting of the year at Oxygen Dining Room at X2 Riverside Resort as President Tim winds down his tenure as Skål Chiang Mai President.
Skålleagues and friends enjoyed cocktails and mocktails before dinner, networking and greeting old friends and new. President Tim made the rounds greeting everyone and receiving good wishes for his new role in the United States. General Manager Ewan Taylor of X2 joined President Tim in welcoming the guests.
The crowd then gathered to sit down to an amazing lunch at the Oxygen Dining Room headed by Michelin-starred chef Nicolas Isnard and their recently awarded Thailand Iron Chef winner executive chef Alexandre Demard. President Tim announced that his final Skål will be at the February dinner meeting on February 21 at Le Meridien Chiang Mai.
The Annual General Meeting will be held before the dinner at 5:30 pm. All positions are open for candidates; we are accepting nominations for President, Vice-President, Finance Director, Secretary, Events Director, Membership Director, and PR and Media Director. Members who wish to stand for the board please email info@skalchiangmai.com
On January 19 Skål members and friends traveled to Mae Mha Orphanage & School to distribute goods purchased from funds raised at the Gala Christmas Fundraiser in December. Finance Director Gill Dobson did her usual stellar job organizing the shopping, buying essentials such as soap and shampoo plus rice, and other dry goods, fresh and frozen meat. Mike Harley of Chiang Mai Smokehouse and his wife Punnee were an enormous help, purchasing a truck load full of fresh vegetables and fruit. Nim See Seng supplied the truck and driver for the trip up the hill.
Skål Chiang Mai spent 143,784 baht on supplies and food for the children at the school, that leaves 186,394 baht for future spending. Generally, a second trip is made in June or July to distribute more rice and food and any other supplies that the student may need.
The students unloaded the truck before enjoying lunch supplied by Skål Chiang Mai. The group then enjoyed a dance performance by the students before taking a tour of the premises. President Tim was surprised to find a plaque dedicating the Tim McGuire library at the school by Skål Chiang Mai. His dedication to lift the students up and improve the school has been appreciated by the students who will miss the presence of “Father Tim” in years to come.
Additionally, Choltichia Cheyboonrod of Hair Corner By Chol brought friends along with her expertise to cut students’ hair and to train older students how to use the donated equipment. She was joined by Mr Eaknarin Jintawong, and Mrs Wilasinee Jintawong who also donated footballs and money, Mr Peeraya Kongsak and Mrs Wutichai Sunsirikul who donated large bags of rice, cooking oil,cooking supplies and cut hair and Ms Samlee Saleecam also of Hair Corner By Chol. The children lined up to get their hair cut with one young fellow getting a very trendy style by K. Chiltichia! Finally, the group headed down the mountain, having spent a very special day at the orphanage.
The invitation for the Skål Chiang Mai AGM will be sent out shortly with the menu for the dinner. Interested parties please email info@skalchiangmai.com if you wish to run for a board position.
