CAMP AND RETREAT LEADERS

 The National Camp and Retreat Leaders Gathering (UMCRM)  was held at the Life Enrichment Center and Warren Willis Camp in Fruitland Park  from January 28 to February 1st. Thanks to Camp Wanake, who use NOMADS, we were notified of the event and invited to have a workshop and vend. Larry and I went up for breakfast on Tuesday morning, along with a team of  NOMADS that are there working, we were given special recognition for the camps love of NOMADS.  We put on a workshop with about 10 people attending. We used the NOMADS DVD and had a power point from the pictures many of you sent me from the camps where you have worked. Having RV sites is always the biggest problem for a camp to have NOMADS.

 Tuesday night was a Vendor party. There was music, food and a photo booth along with many vendors.

 We were honored to be able to set up a display and talk to so many about what was needed to have NOMADS at their camp.

We were also thanked by many of the camps for the work that NOMADS do for them.

 It was a very festive event. We were glad we had the opportunity to spread the word about NOMADS to more camps. We heard form many of them that they wanted to join NOMADS when they retire. What a perfect match.

WALKING TO MEMPHIS

 We didn't walk to Memphis for the NOMADS annual meeting this year, but we did fly. We decided to sell our RV in the spring. Having it parked by our house for so many months wasn't good for it or us. We loved living in it when we were full timers, but we are now enjoying our house.

 We are still working as  project coordinators for the SSE jurisdiction. We have done several site visit around Florida looking at churches that would like to have NOMADS. Pahokee is a new agency with a project in period 4 of 2019.

It will be a great project with beautiful lakeside parking.

 Jim did a terrific job of putting on the annual meeting. There were 103 RVs and a total of 210 people.

 Tammy was the new choir director.
  Sorry, I was too busy singing along with Jayne each morning to get her picture. She sure got us in the mood each day.

Quite a few of us got up early each morning to have Bible study with Louie.

Devotions were held each morning. Bill started off the week, then we heard from several area pastors. All of them had great messages to share.

 We had a large group of NOMADS that were new or never had been to an annual meeting before. 
 Nancy and the membership committee hosted the new timers to a pizza dinner and introduced them to the board and explained how the love auction works.
Sunday evening Terry had a beautiful memorial service recognizing the 25 NOMADS who had gone to be with the Lord this year.  We need 150 new NOMADS a year to keep our membership steady.

On Monday we took some tours. We chose to go to Graceland.

 Tuesday was love auction day.

 There were almost 500 items donated. The silent auction brought in a little over $20,000.

 Wayne was the auctioneer for the live auction, as always he did a great job. We had fun and raised almost $18,000. The total was a little short of the amount the auction had hoped to raise, so a hat was passed and a grand total was reached of $48,000. Truly a love auction. The money is used to help fund projects that need some financial assistance.

 Gary was encouraging us to give. He makes it fun and he will be missed next year.

 This was the 30th anniversary of NOMADS.

Today we have 900 active members and 215 alumni. 75% of our new members are in their 60's or younger and 12% of them are single. 40 % are from the center of the USA and 15% are full timers.

 There was a luncheon for the alumni that attended, the board members and  the members who have worked more then 50 projects.

 The entertainment on Tuesday was a NOMADS Variety Show. Cheri was the MC.

 Tammy played the sax.

There was a trumpet solo.

 Dave did a comedy routine. You might be a NOMAD if....  Very funny.

 Sonny and Cher and also known as Joe and Jayne.

 Playing the saw, he couldn't play in the group because he didn't have a band saw and we couldn't dance to his tunes because he didn't have a jig saw.

 They may be ragged and funny but they travel along, singing a song, side by side.

 The evening ended with a little jam session.

 There were several workshops on Wednesday and then a potluck dinner. A lot of good food.

 Elvis entertained us after dinner. He wasn't home when we went to Graceland.

 Nancy presented Bill and Meredith a quilt she made them. It was made out of shirts from some of the 70 projects they have worked over the years.

What a great couple to show what NOMADS have accomplished and worked in 30 years.

 Each board member shared what their position entailed.

Dave is promotions chair, and as you can tell he takes it very seriously.

Gary shared about the disaster recovery projects that are scheduled. There are openings on many of them.

It is always good to see Carla and hear her report each year. What would we do without her.

Thanks to Gloria and Larry for teaching us some line dances again this year.

After a good catered dinner by Corky's BBQ the choir gave a concert.

Marti accompanied them on the keyboard.

After the choir performed a few songs the came out to the tables and sang with us. It was a nice closer to our annual meeting. Hope to see you in Illinois next year.

FLORIDA GATHERING

 On Friday the NOMADS had a luncheon at the Life Enrichment Center.

 There were 116 attending. Many were there for the first time, a few being new to NOMADS and some alumni were also present. It is always a good time to see old friends and make new ones.

 Nancy and Linda discussing the  promotion items that Nancy brought to sell and give away. Everyone left with a pen, note pad and a brochure which I had at their place setting.

 Jayne and Joe lead us in singing.

 I quizzed everyone about NOMADS. Sharing information about annual meeting, projects and the board and introducing people for each one.

 Mike and Susan talked about the auction and Mike also shared information about the DR projects.

 Nancy gave report on membership and amount of love hours we worked last year. She shared comments from the board.

Larry talked about our experiences as project coordinators for Florida and the projects we have had this year. Also Linda told about projects in the South Central jurisdiction, and after the luncheon Dennis had training for new leaders.