Testimonial given at the First Friday Club of Chicago’s
Table Captains' Luncheon...9/10/10

Charlie Menghini asked me to say a few words about being a table captain. It has been my absolute pleasure to serve in that capacity for a number of years. Over that time the group of people who regularly attend with me has steadily increased. At the outset it was mostly men, some working and some retired, who were members of Holy Family Parish out in Inverness. But today it has grown to include many women and our folks look forward to the monthly get-togethers. The quality and diversity of the speakers and the Union League Club venue make these First Fridays special to be sure.

As good as that combination is, I have found that it is the social fellowship among us that really is important. For the suburbanites, we rally at 10:45 and carpool into Chicago where we link up with our city dwellers. I take the lead in notifying all of our regulars and ask them to RSVP by the preceding Monday. It gives me a chance to arrange for carpool drivers and to make sure there is transportation for everyone.

The most important thing I've found for a table captain to do is to simply extend an invitation each month and then to communicate a simple logistics plan. I take the responsibility for making the reservations for all of us with Wanda.

The net result over the years is that our attendance has grown and there is a loyal corps of folks who extend invitations to others. We all know that the FFCC luncheons are real winners with good food, provocative speakers and good friends. For $30 to $35, that's a hard deal to beat.

In the end, we can send flyers and promotional material, but it is up to us as Table Captains to reach out personally to let people know that we'd like them to join us. Nothing works better than asking! Thanks!

Dick Hicks Table Captain for 10 years

Table Captains 2011-2012

Ms. Joan Buxton

Mr. Raymond Coughlin - Archdiocese of Chicago

Mr. Dan Coyne - O'Keefe, Ashton, Lyons & Ward

Mr. Robert J. Doherty - Mary Seat of Wisdom

Mr. Jim Doyle - De Paul University

Mr. Ed Evert

Mr. Chris Grant - St. Gregory the Great

Mr. Dick Hicks- Holy Family Barrington

Ms. Joan Izzo - District # 5
9
Mr. Dan Kinsella - Faith, Hope & Charity

Ms. Paula Krupka - Old Saint Patrick's

Ms. Eileen Massura & Fr. Bill Moriarity - Holy Name

Ms. Karen McDonald - St. Teresa of Avila

Mrs. Peggy Pecoraro - Old Saint Patrick's

Mr. John Seigel - St. Cajetan's

Mr. Terry Stumpf - Fourth Presbyterian

Mr. Mike Thompson

Mr. Andy Youpel - Brandenburg Industrial Services

Friday February 3, 2012

Mr. Mike Leonard

Executive Producer & NBC "Today" Show Correspondent

“This One Became Personal"

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Register for this luncheon >
Deadline to register:
Tuesday, January 31st