OOMA
Hello Everyone,
In 1927, when QMS was six years old, the first Old Girls’ Gathering was held. At that gathering the OOMA (Overseas Old Margaretian Association) was formed. Its objective was to be a bond of Fellowship between former members of the School, and to help them carry out the School ideals of loyalty, self-discipline and service. There were to be minimal dues to help defray any costs.
Many years have passed since that first Gathering, and there have been many changes within the by-laws of the OOMA. We have moved all over the world, we have become busy career women as well as wives, mothers and grandmothers, and there are many demands on our time and energy.
We have lost touch – with each other, and to a greater extent, with QMS. The chain on our crest which represents the past, present and future of QMS has almost broken, and each year it seems harder to draw together old classmates and staff. When we started asking Old Girls why they don’t come back to Old Girls’ Weekend, the answer was always the same “we never hear anything from the OOMA”. They get busy, they move, they put it aside till tomorrow and don’t renew their membership, and after two years are dropped from the list. And there are many who do not realize that membership dues must be paid annually. They think that because they went to QMS they’re Old Girls, and don’t understand why they never hear from QMS. So the OOMA became exclusive rather than inclusive, and I’m sure that’s the last thing Miss Denny and Miss Geohegan would have wanted.
Because of this, at the Annual General meeting of the OOMA on May 2nd and 3rd, 2009, it was moved “……that we discontinue the practice of charging an annual membership fee and that all QMS students and staff leaving the school in good standing automatically become members of the OOMA”. The motion passed by a margin of 34 to 1.
All this is a very long-winded way of saying there will be some changes in the by-laws. Once the Committee has reviewed the changes, we will be sending the information to all those for whom we have addresses.
So I would like to welcome ALL Old Girls, Old Boys, and Staff. I hope this change will encourage you to increase your participation in school events, and give you a chance to reconnect with those with whom you shared such an important part of your lives.
Sincerely,
Dola Boas (Mitchell ’59)
President, OOMA, 2010-2011
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