44 members gathered at the Gateway Club in Fort Myers for the 28th General Assembly of the Swiss American Club of Southwest Florida.
This annual meeting is an important occasion where the board reports to the membership on the club’s social activities and financial status over the past year.
Guests began arriving early, enjoying appetizers and beverages while catching up with friends—sharing both local news and stories from Switzerland. A slideshow of past events played on the big screen, sparking fond memories.
At 5:45 p.m., President Vicki Burkhard called the meeting to order. She warmly welcomed the honorary members and introduced the board. A moment was taken to remember three members the club lost over the past year.
In her report, the president highlighted the importance of member participation in the club’s monthly events. She emphasized that it is this engagement that makes the board’s work meaningful and rewarding. She expressed her sincere appreciation to the entire board for their dedication, as well as to all the behind-the-scenes helpers and home bakers who consistently contribute delicious desserts. Special thanks were also extended to Markus Albrecht and Ursula Heierli for securing event venues within their communities.
Each board member then presented their updates:
- Urs Brunner stepped in for Treasurer Erik Kain, presenting both the financial and membership reports.
- Lily Kraft, Director of Events, reviewed the past year’s events and the challenges that were successfully overcome.
- Urs Pfister, Director of Events and “Cheese Master,” spoke about the ongoing difficulty of sourcing high-quality cheese for fondue and raclette at reasonable prices. He also reminded members of the importance of honoring event registrations, as no-shows create additional costs for the club.
Lily and Urs also gave a preview of exciting events planned for 2026 and encouraged members to visit the website and register early.
Cheryl Pfister, Secretary, recorded the meeting minutes, while Urs Brunner, in his role as IT coordinator, provided a brief demonstration on how to properly register for events online—reminding members to always click the “Submit” button to complete their registration.
The floor was then opened for questions and suggestions, though there were none, and the president officially closed the meeting.
Shortly afterward, a delicious three-course dinner was served. Members enjoyed the warm atmosphere and each other’s company, though the evening felt too short as the dining room needed to be cleared by 8:00 p.m.
It was a pleasant and productive gathering, and we look forward to seeing everyone again in April for our Easter Picnic!
Text by Vicki Burkhard and Photos by Vicki Burkhard
