CHARACTER & LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

Updated Sunday, October 12th: 
WELCOME 2008-09 TORCH CLUBBERS!

Torch Club Advisors: Tim, Jenn & Melissa

CONFIRM YOUR ACCEPTANCE: Please confirm your acceptance of your place in the Stratfield Torch Club by emailing Tim at tim@wakemanclub.com at your earliest convenience.  In keeping with spirit of Torch Club, the email should come from YOU (not your parent!).

NEXT MEETING:
First Meeting is Sunday, October 12th from 6:15-7:45 at the Stratfield Clubhouse, 2475 Easton Turnpike at First Presby Church.  We will meet in the Gym.  Meeting will include Potluck Dinner.

- Pot Luck Dinner: Our first meeting will include a pot luck dinner.  If your last name begins with the letter "A" through "F", please bring a contribution for dinner.  Your contribution can be drinks, appetizer, main dish or dessert.  Please email Tim tim@wakemanclub.com to confirm what type of contribution you will bring (drink, apps, entree, dessert) so we have a good balance of dishes.  In keeping with the spirit of Torch Club, it is expected that YOU (not your parent) will prepare your dish.

UPDATES:
- Wakeman Membership: If you have not renewed your Wakeman membership for 2008-09, please renew it at either Clubhouse by filling out blue Wakeman membership form and paying $65 Wakeman membership fee on or before Thursday, October 9th..

- Torch Club Fee: Please pay your $50 Torch Club fee to either Clubhouse on or before Thursday, October 9th.  If you pay your fee in Southport, be sure to let them know that you are paying your Stratfield Torch Club fee.

- Meeting Time Change: Please note, meetings will usually be held from 6:15-7:45.  This may be a time change of 15 minute earlier from previous information you read.

MEETING SCHEDULE: Meetings will usually be held bi-weekly on Sundays from 6:15pm-7:45pm, with occasional meetings on Thursdays. Tentative meeting schedule:

October 12th - Sunday
October 26th - Sunday
November 9th - Sunday
November 20th - Thursday
December 7th - Sunday (at Stratfield Clubhouse hosting Southport Torchers)
December 21st - Sunday (Potluck Dinner - 2nd half of alphabet bring dishes)
January 8th - Thursday
January 15th - Sunday
January 25th - Sunday
February 8th - Sunday
February 22nd - Sunday
March 8th - Sunday
March 19th - Thursday
April 5th - Sunday
April 19th - Sunday
May 3rd - Sunday
May 17th - Sunday
May 31st - Sunday
Time/date changes may be necessary during year due to special activities, conflicts of advisors and building availability.
 

General Information

TORCH CLUB                GRADES 7 & 8         $50

PLEASE NOTE: There are separate Torch Clubs for the Stratfield Clubhouse and Southport Clubhouse.  Each Torch Club holds their own meetings and works on unique projects, while also collaborating together occasionally on some projects and meetings during the year. When applying for Torch Club, be sure to indicate that you are applying for Stratfield Unit Torch Club.

ABOUT TORCH: Torch Club is a chartered leadership and service club for 7th-8th graders. Torch Club is a powerful way for Club staff to help meet the special character development needs of adolescents at a critical stage in life. Torchers learn the election/voting process, form committees and work together to implement activities in four areas: Service to Club & Community, Education, Health & Fitness and Social Recreation.

ACTIVITIES: In 2007-2008, the Torch Club sponsored and volunteered at numerous Wakeman events/activities such as: Munchkin Madness, bingo and movie breakfasts, bake sales, fall cleanups at Red Baker’s house. Past community activities included building a vegetable garden with the help of Enterprise Rent-a-Car, paining and landscaping Habitat for Humanity houses, assisting Audubon Society special events, walking annual Fairfield Relay for Life and cooking/serving dinner at Prospect House in Bridgeport. The Club also events such as pot luck dinners, snow tubing, and other field trips for Torchers only.

MEETINGS: Meetings will usually be held bi-weekly on Sundays from 6:15pm-7:45pm, with occasional meetings on Thursdays. Tentative meeting schedule: 10/12, 10/26, 11/9, 11/20*, 12/7, 12/21, 1/8*, 1/15, 1/25, 2/8, 2/22, 3/8, 3/19*, 4/5, 4/19, 5/3, 5/17, 5/31 (*Thursday night meeting)

Activities will be planned, developed and implemented by Torch Club members and advisors throughout the school year. Please make sure you can commit to Torch requirements. These include attending each meeting and completing a minimum of 2 hours of community service each month. Only Torch sponsored service activities are eligible to count as the required 2 hours each month.

All 7th and 8th graders are welcome to apply. The Torch Club is also a place where members can make new friends and continue with old ones. It is a place where they can come and have a good time with their friends as well as work hard with one another to accomplish their goals for the year.

HOW TO JOIN: Members will be selected based on a handwritten essay of 125 words or less stating the reason you want to be a part of the Torch Club and why you would be a good member. Essays must also include a description of an activity, fundraiser or event that we can implement during the year to help the Club or community. The essay is due September 23rd to the Stratfield Unit. You can also mail it to PO Box 118, Southport, Ct, 06890. Attention Tim, STRATFIELD TORCH CLUB. Members will be posted on our website under the Stratfield Unit section on October 5th. Click on “Stratfield Unit” and then “Torch Club”. All new Torch Club members will receive a sweatshirt and t-shirt.

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