Dear SAS Members

It’s that time of the year – your Club asks you to renew your membership, and the new Board is highly motivated to organize a full array of events for the next year. Besides the “staples” like the National Holiday celebration, Christmas and Fondue Parties, we will offer smaller outings which will appeal to various age- and interest-groups. As always, please fill free to bring up any ideas and suggestions you might have regarding our program.

Membership Renewal
The membership fee for 2005 is just as it was - $ 30 per individual or $ 60 per family (one address!).
Please send your renewal form together with your payment to our treasurer Markus Engel by April 30. We ask you to send your information even if you have paid your fees already, since we try to compile an updated membership list and directory.

Club Calendar (tentative)
At a first meeting we have outlined the upcoming events, so please mark your calendar!

• First of all, join us for the Sunday in the Country Side on Sunday, May!
• Make sure you will be around for the 1st August celebration on Saturday, July 30!
• Come to our Picnic on Lake Lanier on Sunday, September 4.
• For October we plan a themed Swiss evening.
• We have already asked Samichlaus to visit the children on Saturday, December 3.
• The Christmas-Party will be a highlight of the year on Sunday, December 4.
• We will cook the traditional Fondue again early next year.

Ladies’ Luncheons
In January 2003 we started the monthly (well, almost!) outings for the Swiss Ladies. We try to combine visits to museums or exhibitions, unique shopping experiences and more with culinary adventures and of course making and meeting friends. If you are interested in joining this fun group, please sign up on your membership renewal form, or contact any of the Board Members.

Men’s Tailgating
Since the Ladies’ Luncheons turned out to be a big success, the men would like to get their share, too! A small group is in the starting phase of organizing casual fun outings. If you have any suggestions for an outing and/or are interested in getting the invitations, please contact any of the Board Members.

Organization for the Swiss Abroad
Please take advantage of OSA’s programs. You might want to send your children to one of the many summer camps offered in Switzerland (I know my girls enjoyed their camps with other kids from around the world!). ASO also organizes the yearly “Auslandschweizer Kongress”, this year in Interlaken, combined with the “Tell-Spiele” and the “Unspunnen-Fest” (sorry, there is no translation!)  from September 2 – 4. The Festival celebrates its 200th anniversary.
You find more information on these programs in your Swiss Review or on the website www.aso.ch.

New Members
Please welcome Barbara Ann Koblentz and her daughters Lauren and Stephanie, Marietta, to our Club – we are looking forward to meeting you at one of our upcoming events!

Minutes of the General Assembly
The Club held its General Assembly on March 12. 28 attendants were present. There was no extra business and no controversial issue. A special THANK YOU goes to Hermann Gammeter for his presentation about ASO. If you would like to get a copy of the minutes, please contact Helen or Sybille.

Legal Affairs for Swiss in US
Nobody wants to think about the worst case, but do you know what would happen to your estate, your children, in case you or your spouse passes away? Would your Swiss will be respected by the American authorities? How can you protect your family?
The Board has considered organizing an event with a competent speaker to questions like this. However, each individual case is different, and it is not easy to find a person to talk comprehensively about all aspects. Also, we would need a considerable turnout to make the evening a success. So, if you think you would come to a speaker event like this, please let us know. It would even be helpful if you could give us a hint what your specific interests are.
In the meantime we would like to recommend the following website: www.swissemb.org. Under LEGAL AFFAIRS you find a wealth of important information, also to questions regarding taxation and AHV/ Social Security.

IMPORTANT
Speaking of laws and regulations, we would like to point out to you the newest situation regarding Swiss passports and visa free entry to the US. Beginning October 26, 05, you will need to have a machine readable “Pass 2003”, issued before October 26, 05, to enter the US without a visa. There will be more information published in the next issue of the Swiss Revue, so please check it out and make sure you update your documents.

SAS Board Members 2005/06

Feel free to contact any of us in case you have a question or suggestion. Also, if you would like to come to one of our Board Meetings, please call Helen for details.

For the SAS Board