OUR 15TH ANNIVERSARY!
2009 marks the 15th anniversary year from that fateful day of 20th March, 1994, when the late lamented Dr Guido Saliba – father figure, teacher and treasured friend to thousands of Lyceum past students – saw the realisation of a long-cherished dream of setting up the Association of Lyceum Past Students after many previous attempts had failed. The Foundation Meeting at The Lyceum in Ħamrun was attended by 70 past students of different ages. Since then, the enthusiastic members who have sat on the Council of Administration through the years have made our Association one of the most dynamic and popular such organisations in Malta, now with over 700 members.
ALPS News is proud to have contributed to the Association’s success over the years.
A sub-committee of the Council of Administration has been working for months on an appropriate programme of activities to punctuate the anniversary year. The programme will be officially launched by ALPS President George dei Conti Stagno Navarra in time for the Annual General Meeting.
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2009
The 15th Annual General Meeting of the Association of Lyceum Past Students will be held at 6.30 p.m. on Friday 30th January, 2009, at The Lyceum in Ħamrun, with the kind cooperation of the Headmaster.
Following the reading and approval of the minutes of the 14th AGM and discussion of any matters arising, Secretary-General Alex Borg will present his Administrative Report for 2008. Treasurer David Abela will do the same with the Financial Report, before President George dei Conti Stagno Navarra will deliver a short speech highlighting the Association’s progress and setting out goals for the future.
A discussion will follow on proposed amendments to the ALPS Statute, prepared by ALPS member Judge Franco Depasquale, to bring it into line with recent legislation concerning the registration of non-Governmental organisations (NGOs). Elections will be held for the posts of Secretary-General (two-year term), Treasurer, Communications Officer and council members to chair the various commissions. The meeting will be brought to an end with the nomination of two auditors for 2009.
It would be nice to inject some new blood into the council of administration. This is why ALPS members are encouraged to nominate fellow members to any of these posts, using the nomination form to be found at the back of this edition of ALPS News. Nominations are to be sent in to Secretary-General Alex Borg at “Alson”, Naxxar Road, San Gwann, SGN 9032 by 23rd January.
This item in ALPS News is to be taken as a circular. Friends of ALPS may attend the AGM but will not be eligible to vote.
A.L.P.S. ON B.O.V. VISA FLYPASS CREDIT CARD
There has been a good response to the Council of Administration’s arrangement with Bank of Valletta plc wherein special benefits are being offered to all ALPS members.
The December 2008 edition of ALPS News included a schedule of the benefits which are being made available exclusively to ALPS members. Any member applying for a BOV Visa Flypass credit card will have the name “Assoc. Lyceum Past Students” embossed thereon, thus making us all proud that ALPS is always in the forefront in acquiring the best terms and benefits for its members from any possible quarters.
Among other benefits, the BOV scheme also includes (subject to the usual banking terms/conditions) financial products such as unsecured personal loans, lump sum investment schemes and monthly investment plans, to mention just a few. It is appreciated, of course, that banking is a very personal matter. For this reason, more ALPS members are again being encouraged to complete and return the coupon directly to Bank of Valletta expressing their interest in the scheme.
LEISURE WEEKEND IN AID OF ID-DAR TAL-PROVIDENZA
The response for the Leisure Weekend at the Paradise Bay Resort Hotel from 13th to 15th February has been enthusiastic. ALPS is organising the weekend as part of its annual efforts to help the proceeds of the Lyceum Bicycle Marathon in aid of Id-Dar tal-Providenza.
The venue has been chosen in deference to the expressed wishes of scores of ALPS members and friends, who always enjoy these weekends in the delightful fresh air at Ċirkewwa. On the other hand, the dates have been chosen to include Valentine’s Day, which this year will be falling on a Saturday (see menu attached).
This edition of ALPS News is again carrying the flyer that shows all the options available for the weekend, including overnights and half-board accommodation. It is important that readers indicate their plans as early as possible in order to make sure of availability of beds, and that all applications are accompanied by pre-payment.
LAST CHANCE FOR THE CHANTICLEER
The end of January will mark the last opportunity for members and friends of ALPS, especially those in business, to advertise in the Association’s magazine The Chanticleer. The magazine will have a readership of at least 10,000 among the best minds that have gone through The Lyceum, Malta’s premier school, and made names for themselves and their country at home and overseas.
We would still particularly like to hear from overseas members of ALPS, notably in Australia, Canada and the UK. The articles do not have to be only about the good old Lyceum days: they could cover the joys of meeting old schoolmates in organised or unexpected occasions, some amusing anecdotes and even current affairs in Malta and beyond.
There have been many times when ALPS members rose to the occasion and showed their generosity with those most in need. This is a time when members can show how dearly they hold the Association of Lyceum Past Students, through their own or their acquaintances’ advertising. Thank you all.
MORE FOR PHILATELY?
ALPS member Carmel Bonello, who is an avid stamp collector, has regrettably received a very limited response to his suggestion to start up an ALPS Philatelic Club, but obviously more is needed if things are to get on their way. Members of such a club could meet regularly and discuss or exchange stamps, or both.
It has been written that philately could provide an aspect of armchair travel to stamp collectors – and it does not have to cost the earth if it is done through exchange of stamps. This Editor cannot help remembering a teaser of an essay set at the GCE O Level examinations several years ago. The title was “Around the world on pocket money” – and it was all about philately, no less.
Mr Bonello may be contacted on mobile 7937 4242 or e-mail: nicthan@maltanet.net
MEMBERSHIP SUBSCRIPTIONS NOW DUE
Midnight on 1st January 2009 rang in the New Year – and with it, among several other aspects, the annual obligation for ALPS members to pay their subscription fees for the year.
Fees are to be sent to ALPS Treasurer David Abela at “Juniper”, Triq Ġanni Vella, Tal-Qattus, Birkirkara. His telephone number is 2748 7693.
