Thank you SWU Team!

[Margi]

I want to thank so many people -

Leon - This would have never happened if it were not for you! It was great having someone to bounce off ideas - and to complain to when things were just not right. Plus that little thing called the website - WOW - what a great job! Thank you.

Bob - Your attention to detail helped us make sure that nothing fell through the cracks. I cannot imagine how many hours and days and weeks you spent on this project. Now you can go into "Margi Withdrawals". Thank you.

Steve S. - This all started with us taking some notes on a napkin during a dinner out one night. Who would have thought it would have turned out so awe inspiring. Of course Saltwater U would never have come to be without your determination and leadership. Thank you.

Sarah - Our graphic designer, what a wonderful job you did on the posters and the brochure. You made us look professional - and I cannot tell you how much that means to the success of a project like this one. Plus you threw our family a great Barbeque! Thank you.

Simon - You were my calming force on Saltwater U morning - truly. Even though I teased you at the time about your "no worries", it really did help. You taking a project and making it your own is an example of what wonderful people we have in this club ~ even some of our newest members. Thank you.

Steve B - Okay - you don't even have a tank yet, and you made the bookstore a huge success. You helped in so many other ways throughout the planning process that I cannot imagine being without your guidance. But next time, please don't steal away my "right hand" during the last couple of weeks! Thank you.

Diana - You are an inspiration, and helped in so many ways. I knew that if I gave you a task I didn't need to worry about it happening (even if it was turfed off to your husband on occassion!). And the food - great food. Thank you.

Sharon - My shoulder to lean on. My partner in amateur graphic design (are you as glad as I am that we found Sarah?) and my new friend. Thank you.

Kurt - On your birthday, you come to our party. You are unceremoniously drafted to do jobs and never complained. You even got a new last name! Thank you.

Jenn - You really saved us regarding the livestock and the books. You are a great asset to Saltwater U, this club and this hobby. You took my endless phone calls in stride, and helps so very much. Thank you.

Chris C. First - I have to say - "I'm Sorry" - when I asked you to handle the Raffle, I didn't realize that you were going to miss EVERYTHING. But you were doing such a great job... Sorry and Thank you.

Lester - You always - ALWAYS were there to help. If I asked you to do something, even if you weren't comfortable - I knew I could count on you. Thank you.

Sammy - Inky, the logo and the motto - all yours. You are very talented and I appreciate it sincerely (and your wife for telling you that she liked the octopus idea!). Thank you.

Tim - I am so glad I have gotten to know you and JJ - this club benefits so much from your involvement and leadership. Thank you.

Eric - Okay - I forgot to give you your lunch, but you won a 90 gallon tank, stand and Skimmer! You have really stepped up this last week and helped out tremendously. And also, it was great having your "kids" - they were true gentlemen, and that is appreciated (especially from middle school kids). Your ideas for next year are great - and I expect you to be involved a whole lot earlier next time!! Thank you.

Jesse - You have helped so much as far, and your work is coming still! I look forward to seeing what you find through your surveys - so we can learn from our mistakes and from our successes. Thank you.

Mike - We would have had a lot of scrambling to display our raffle without you. You spent many hours and lots of your equipment making this happen. Thank you.

David - You were a GO TO person, someone who would say they were going to do something and DO IT! How refreshing and appreciated. Thank you.

Sally, Mary & Clara - The smiles that started the event for all of our guests. You all spent the entire day, missing all of the events and never hinted a complaint. Thank you.

Rachel - Our newest amateur videographer - you were thrown in this without more than 10 minutes notice and did a wonderful job. Thank you.

Joy - Zoo Atlanta was a gracious host - you helped in so many ways I cannot even begin... What a wonderful facility! Thank you.

Kat, Dave, Todd, Lisa, William, Chris G. and to all the others that have spent hours of time and dedication (and I am very sorry if I didn't mention you). Thank you.

Sincerely, thank you to everyone who was involved - you should be proud of what we accomplished.

OKAY - Now, what about next year? Who wants to be a part of the committee?

Warm regards,

Margi Shindell
SWU Committee Chair

[Margi]

To our speakers -

Of course we owe so much to our wonderful speakers - to take time out of their busy lives to come and teach us their passions. What an absolutely outstanding group we were so lucky to have come make our First Ever Saltwater U happen. I feel that I have made new friends, and I am truly grateful. The fact that so many of your are already talking about next year - inspires me.

Eric - First, I absolutely love your parents, I can see why you are such a nice man. Maybe next time we will have the opportunity to meet Brandee also. Sharing your knowledge and time with us was so much appreciated. Thank you.

Walt - I am sorry Deb could not come - I REALLY want to meet her - but "WOW" am I glad you came! Between your wonderful talk and all of the many, MANY raffle donations. Thank you.

Jeff - Again ~ always a strong supporter of our little club. We sincerely appreciate all that the Georgia Aquarium is bringing to the area (and the potential opportunities to help!). You are a great friend. Thank you.

Ray - You have always been a great part of our club, and yet again you stepped up and made it happen. You were able to impart you knowledge and expertise to a welcoming crowd and I have a feeling that will be ongoing! Thank you.

Bill - As always, your knowledge is mind boggling! (Even if it is a little scary). You are a wonderful professor and a great friend. Thank you.

Scott - Sorry to have put you first thing in the morning - but you did it, and with style. We are grateful for your spending your time, photography and knowledge with us. Thank you.

James - Welcome to the Southeast! Now that you are in the neighborhood we hope to see much more of you! We appreciate you coming and teaching us so much information. Thank you.

Chris - I cannot believe what wonderful pictures you are able to produce! You told me that you joined the club, then within 15 minutes I was bombarding you to get you to be a part of Saltwater U... Well, I am NOT sorry! Thank you.

Dr. Earle - You are an inspiring person. I am awed that I was able to meet and talk with you. Your knowledge and enthusiasm - WOW... I feel truly moved. I cannot even come close to telling you how grateful I am that you moved around your busy schedule to be a part of Saltwater U. I look forward to working with you in the planning process for Saltwater U2. Thank you.

Sponsors -

To our many, MANY sponsors - thank you so much. Without you this event would have never been the huge success that it truly became. Thank you.

Warm regards,

Margi Shindell
SWU Committee Chair

[akula]

we had great leaders. That makes the rest of it fall into place.

debrief BBQ?

[Margi]

Debrief and SWU2 Brainstorming BBQ probably the weekend of June 18th - to be announced soon.

Margi

[Phantom Phish]

Margi:

You are very gracious to take the time and effort to thank and acknowledge all of the people listed above. Unfortunately, there is one glaring omission in this list.

I understand that modesty and decorum prevents you from mentioning the efforts of this person, so if you'll allow me, I'll try to correct this "oversight".

If there is anyone who deserves to be acknowledged and thanked, it's you of course. From conceiving of the idea, to getting people to believe it could be done, through the planning and organization phases, and including the execution of everything on the day of the meeting and afterwards, you were there. Certainly, the success of SWU was due to the combined efforts of a lot of people. But the hardest and most demanding job in something like this, is getting everyone focused and pulling together in the same direction.

Thank you Margi, and congratulations on a job well done.

[Margi]

Chris -

That was so sweet - thank you. But seriously, there is no way it would have ever happened without the DOZENS of people who spend hours, and days, and weeks, and MONTHS helping. (INCLUDING YOU!!!) And for the others in the club that spend their time with other volunteer jobs (Like the club Secretary!)

And - we are going to do even more - several of the speakers for Saltwater U expressed a STONG, ENTHUSIASTIC desire to help plan SWU2 - including Dr. Sylvia Earle (and yes - she even mentioned trying to get National Geographic involved - HOW COOL IS THAT!). Our educators (such as Mr. Tank - Eric Mau) want to expand the educational aspects (which I completely support). And more...

We are going to need even more help planning the next one (but we do have a bit more time) Everyone who wants to be involved - can be - there is a place for anyone with a great attitude!

Thank you again Chris - I appreciate the thoughts.

Warm regards,

Margi
SWU Alumni Class of 2005