Madame Alexander Doll Club

Dear MADC Members,

“Sunsets and Stars” has come and gone. Everyone really enjoyed the sun, sand and MADC in California.  What a wonderful Convention we had in San Diego, CA!   Thanks to Cindy DiCaro and Chris Law and their convention team for a job well done.

The current issue of the Review has all the highlights of our “Growing Up” Premiere event.  Take some time to relieve some of the events.  Remember the Toga Party in New Jersey?  We had such a great time.  If you have never come to Premiere, think about joining us in 2009.  There will be three: New Jersey, California and Texas.

Where does the money go?  Last issue we published our fiscal year end financials.  In this issue of the Review, you’ll find the financial results of last year’s Friendship Luncheons.   All of our events are important as they sustain the club beyond what members pay in dues.   In addition we are including the 2007 Convention financials.  Conventions are a huge financial and logistical undertaking but are a wonderful membership experience and well worth the expense.  Our Treasurer, Nancy Law, has prepared a detailed breakdown of income and expenses from both and they are well worth your attention.  For those who want to know where their Convention registration goes, this will tell you and as you will see, the registration fee does not always cover the cost.  This is why we also have raffles and special One Of A Kind Dolls, through the generosity of the Alexander Doll Company.  All of the funds raised are used to offset expenses of each event.

Did you complete your survey?  This was in Issue 4 from 2007 (Fall Friendship Luncheon).  If you haven’t there is still time to do so.  This is your chance to tell the Board of Directors what you would like to have as part of the club.  MADC belongs to all of us, so your voice counts.  We’ll be sharing some of the results at the annual meeting at Convention, so please let us know your thoughts.

Late in May, Pat Burns and I had the opportunity to attend the Fire-Flies Convention in Orlando, Florida.  This group added an Alexander break out event for the first time and we were both invited to come. Pat gave a presentation on the history of the Alexander Doll Company and I spoke on the history of the MADC.  We also brought the MADC Sales table, copies of our spectacular Review, new member forms and plenty of door prizes.  It was a perfect opportunity to “sell” membership in MADC and show how special being a member can be.  A special thank you to Terri Queen who made up 50 goodie-bag type favors for each of the guests from our supply of doll accessories.

We are in the midst of planning for our Fall Friendship Luncheons and Carol Dowdy, our Liaison, has some special plans for our Fall Festival this year.  We have a special Companion Doll, in addition to our Souvenir Doll and Centerpiece.  These dolls are very limited and in order to purchase one, you need to register by July 31, 2008.   If you do so, you will be eligible for the drawing.  The Registration form is included in this issue of the Review as well as on the website for registration.  You may also use our Secure Shopping Cart to register. Locations are once again all over the country so make your plans now.  Remember, this is the one event where non-members can attend.  Do you know someone who loves dolls but may not know about the club?   This is the perfect event to bring that prospective new member to.  Once they see how much fun we have, how could they not want to join?   Once again, we will be having a luncheon following the Modern Doll Convention, so if you are attending that event, please add one day to your plans and attend our Luncheon.

See you at a Friendship Luncheon this fall!                                                    

Diane McCarthy

MADC President