AramcoBrats, Inc. News

Tell Us What You Think!

Tue, 03 Apr 2012 04:05:42 GMT

The board would like to hear your feedback on the directory CDs published last term. This is the first time we have published and distributed the directory in PDF format which is significantly less expensive than a paper copy. At the same time, we have also gone to an online directory which is as up-to-date as each individual brat keeps it and is available 24/7. To put it another way, as soon as we dump the database and burn to CD, it's out of date!

You can guess how we feel about the directory CDs, but we'd like to here from you guys! Tell us what you think by voting in the poll or leaving your thoughts in the feedback forum.

BratNews

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 14:02:56 GMT

In this Issue:

Hard at Work

Your Reunion Committee has been hard at work planning our next get together. Erica Ryrholm DH72 (Chair), John Prugh RT66, Colette Philip DH69, Hirath Ghori DH75, and Alex RT74 and Donna Yiannakakis (spouse) want you to know they are... (more)

Reunion Raffle Treasures

What to Do with Those Former Treasures?

The reunion is quickly approaching us, with just over a year until we are gathered in Tucson. Do you have some old treasures from Arabia that you want...(more)

Exciting AdBak News!

At the beginning of each new term, ABI's board finalizes financials for the preceding fiscal year and sets a new budget for the full, 2-year term. Part of this budgeting process is to review all our our non-reunion income and expenses, estimate...(more)

Get the Herd Together!

You may have noticed a few Brat-sponsored events listed on ABI's calendar over the past year. Several were in conjunction with the Dallas reunion, but others were completely independent, like the Las...(more)

In Case You Missed It...

Here are some interesting items you may have missed:

* PUSH Tunisia * * Distant Arabia Videos *

(more)

New on Facebook

If you haven't visited ABI's Facebook page in a while, we recently converted to the new "timeline" format which features a "cover" photo across the top. This is a great place to show off photos that capture the spirit of being a Brat, like those that were ...(more)

Antiquities Homecoming Project Launched

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 05:04:22 GMT

Saudi Aramco’s King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture has joined hands with the Saudi Commission for Tourism & Antiquities (SCTA) to encourage the donation and return of Saudi Arabian archeological artifacts currently in private collections around the world.

Saudi Aramco signed an agreement with the SCTA on Dec. 26 to cooperate in recovering valuable heritage artifacts. “The antiquities are national treasure and all efforts to recover them are highly appreciated,” said Prince Sultan ibn Salman, SCTA chairman.

In a letter to retirees, Mae Mozaini, director of Public Affairs at Aramco Services Company in Houston, Texas, said that Aramcons and their dependents had, over the decades, developed a number of collections of Saudi antiquities, large and small, often motivated by a desire to preserve them for posterity. “Saudi Aramco and the SCTA are deeply grateful to all who have rescued and preserved antiquities of the Kingdom,” she said.

She said that Saudi Aramco is extending a special invitation to all who haveundefinedor think they may haveundefinedsuch artifacts to consider donating them to the National Museum in Riyadh. The types of artifacts sought are not related to Aramco, but rather they are objects of national historical interest, with an emphasis on pre-Islamic archeological objects.

In return, donors of significant items will receive a Certificate of Appreciation from Saudi Aramco’s president and CEO, and be named, with the artifacts they donated, on a plaque displayed at the Center.

They will also be invited to attend a ceremony of thanks in Riyadh, planned for February 11-13, 2012, followed by a tour of major sites of archeological interest. The ceremony will coincide with the annual National Heritage Festival at Janadriyah, which will include an exhibition of recovered antiquities at the National Museum in Riyadh.

Those who believe they haveundefinedor may haveundefinedobjects that could qualify for a “homecoming” to the Kingdom’s museums, are asked to please do the following before Jan. 16, 2012:

Take a photo or two of the object(s);
E-mail the photo(s) with a brief description of each object, including its provenance, if known, to: arthur.clark@aramcoservices.com (or by regular mail: Arthur Clark, Aramco Services Company, MS 546, 9009 West Loop South, Houston, TX 77096).

Donations of significant artifacts will be accepted after Jan. 16, but to be considered to attend the recognition ceremony in Riyadh, individuals must send photos and information about artifacts before that date.

For more information, please visit the following links:

http://arabnews.com/lifestyle/offbeat/article554067.ece

http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article551150.ece

https://www.aramcoservices.com/news-publications/aaaj/documents/aaaj30-31.pdf

La Paloma Reservations are now open!

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 02:19:40 GMT

You may begin making your reservations today. The group reservation site for the Westin La Paloma, site of the 14th biennial reunion, is up and running. Please note that we will again be having a drawing for comp rooms, so be sure to read the information provided carefully and get your name in the hat!

Your ABI Board for the 2011-2013 Term

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 03:25:55 GMT

We have a full board of directors for this term! There are a few new faces that we are happy to have on board and look forward to working with. Gina Hess-Tanner is joining us in an appointed position as Publications Director. Many of you may remember her from the 2011 Dallas reunion committee where she was a huge help! Annie joins us as Director at Large in charge of nominations. She has performed ABI audits in in the past, and while we were most appreciative, we hope serving on the board will be much more fun and rewarding for her!

Marie Littlejohn-Dunn (DH77) President

Penny Dougharty-Maher (DH72) Vice President

Tom Littlejohn (DH84) Treasurer

Andrew Bobb (DH74) Secretary

Diane Knipfel-Adams (AB75) Reunion Oversight Director

Gina Hess-Tanner (AB76) Publications Director

Dawn Kolb (DH92) Website Director

Duane Hopple (RT79) Database Director

Robin Payne White (DH59) Class Representative Director

Diana Ryrholm-Geerdes (RT62) DAL (contracts)

Annie Oskam (DH74) DAL (nominations)

Looks like we have another great team!

Ma'assalama to Randa, Mike and Kim

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 01:35:04 GMT

It's hard to believe that we have reached the end of the 2009-2011 term and even harder to believe that we will be saying ma'assalama to some valuable board members who have all served multiple terms. Randa Owen-Williams (VP), Mike Simms (Publications Directory), and Kim Zinszer (Secretary) will be leaving us. *sniff* I'd like to thank them personally for their many hours (or years?) of service to the Brats and all the ideas, opinions and humor they brought to the board. You have all been a pleasure to work with and will definitely be missed!

Shukran!,

Marie Littlejohn Dunn

BratNews - September 28, 2011

Thu, 29 Sep 2011 01:40:55 GMT

In this Issue:

2013 Reunion Announcement

Thanks to eagle-eyed Annie Oskam, who spotted a tell-tale book title in a Facebook teaser photo, the cat is out of the bag for the 14^th Biennial AramcoBrat Reunion! ABI is pleased to confirm that the 2013 reunion will return to one of our favorite... (more)

Reunion Auction Extravaganza!

Every summer should have a kickoff as exciting as our Brat Reunion was in Dallas. And the excitement of seeing old friends and making new ones during the...(more)

AramcoBrats in Arab News

Arab News recently published an article in their "Life and Style" section about Aramco Brats. Entitled "Isolation and Adventures in Arabia" by Aisha Al Hajjar, the article gives a brief description of the Brat phenomenon and some insights as to what that has meant... (more)

Mother-of-All Brat Slideshows

Those of you who attended the reunion in Dallas may recall the "Mother-of-All Brat Slideshows" that played Saturday evening on the wall by the Fairmont's pool. Photographs for the slideshow were (more)

The Sidewalks of Dhahran

James Davidson (RT '67), who currently works for Saudi Aramco in Dhahran, recently posted an item in the Bratboard forum about an interesting new hobby. On his walks about camp, he has found marks of Brats that have stood the test of time, frozen in the sidewalks...(more)

ABI Secretary Position

Erica Ryrholm, our Secretary-elect, has agreed to chair the 2013 reunion in Tucson. She will, therefore, be ineligible to serve on the Board for the 2011-2013 term...(more)

Reunion Photos from Eyecatch Designs

Eyecatch Designs reunion photo gallery expired on 8/31. You can no longer order prints from Eyecatch Designs, but you can still view web-sized images, including the fun "photo booth" shots, in our Flickr album.

Show Us Your Pics!

Have you checked out the Dallas Reunion photo album on Flickr? There are already more than 400 pictures to view! Thanks to those who have already shared their photos with everyone, but we'd love to see...(more)

Q2 2011 Financials

Our latest financial statements (through the end of the previous quarter) are available for your viewing pleasure.

Upcoming Events

- 2013 Reunion Announcement

- Reunion Auction Extravaganza

- AramcoBrats in Arab News

- Mother-of-All Brat Slideshows

- The Sidewalks of Dhahran

- Reunion Photos from EyeCatch Designs

- Upcoming Events

- Show Us Your Pics!

- ABI Secretary Position

- Q2 2011 Financials

Follow Us:

ABI on facebook

ABI on twitter

ABI on Flickr

ABI on YouTube

New in the Suq:

Check out the newest items in the online Suq: Dallas reunion sports towels, ghutra print pens and mouse pads!

ABI Board:

President

Marie Littlejohn-Dunn DH'77

Vice President

Randa Owen-Williams DH'65

Treasurer

Tom Littlejohn DH'84

Secretary

Kim Zinszer DH'67

Reunion Oversight Director

Diane Knipfel-Slingluff AB'75

Director at Large - Nominations

Andrew Bobb DH'74

Director at Large

Diana Ryrholm-Geerdes RT'62

Database Director

Duane Hopple RT'79

Publications Director

Mike Simms AB'78

Class Representative Director

Robin Payne-White DH'59

Website Director

Dawn Kolb DH'92

2013 Reunion Announcement

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 05:02:09 GMT

Thanks to eagle-eyed Annie Oskam, who spotted a tell-tale book title in a facebook teaser photo, the cat is out of the bag for the 14^th Biennial AramcoBrat Reunion!

ABI is pleased to confirm that the 2013 reunion will return to one of our favorite reunion cities –

Tucson, AZ! We are able to go back to Tucson thanks to the commitment of some true blue brats. Erica Ryrholm DH72, John Prugh RT66, Colette Philip DH69, Hirath Ghori, DH75, and Alex RT74 and Donna Yiannakakis have selflessly stepped forward to ensure that we will have another fantastic reunion in 2013. Please be generous with your gratitude to all of these fine brats. Without people like them, the reunions would not happen.

The ink has barely dried on the contract, so we still have a few things to do before we can share the exact location. As soon as we are set up for reservations, we’ll let you in on the rest of the secret. Watch ABI's website, facebook page, tweets and your e-mail inbox for further information.

See you in Tucson!,

ABI

BratNews - July 30, 2011

Sat, 30 Jul 2011 15:50:22 GMT

In this Issue:

Dallas by the Numbers

The 13th biennial reunion in Dallas was, judging from the smiles and laughter, a great success. There were many of the same, old regulars and plenty of first-timers. The venue was superb for socializing and soaking up that end-of-spring Texas sun (and wind?!), for enjoying our very own outdoor (more)

A Class (AB '65) Act

(The story of how a "missing" Brat discovered AramcoBrats, Inc, tracked down other missing classmates, became Class Representative, doubled the number of her classmates in the database, and rallied her class to attend what would be her first reunion in Dallas.) (more)

The Votes Are In

The ABI Board would like to thank all of you who voted . . . voting matters. It is important for the Board to operate under officers chosen by the collective wisdom of all Brats. So again, a big "shukran" to all of you who voted! (more)

Order Reunion Class and Group Photos

If you forgot to order you class or group photo at the reunion, you can still do so online. EyeCatch Designs image gallery will be available online through August 31, 2011.

Title: AramcoBrats Reunion 2011

Passcode: abrats2011

Photo booth images are also available.

Upcoming Events

2011 Florida Mini-Reunion - Nov. 6, 2011
2012 Saudi Aramco Annuitants Reunion - Oct. 5, 2012
14th Biennial AramcoBrat Reunion - May 23-27, 2013

Show Us Your Pics!

Have you checked out the Dallas Reunion photo album on Flickr? There are already more than 400 pictures to view! Thanks to those who have already shared their photos with everyone, but we'd love to see even more. (Don't think we don't see all those fabulous photos on facebook!) (more)

Q1 2011 Financials

Our latest financial statements (through the end of the previous quarter) are available for your viewing pleasure.

Extra Special Donor Shukran

We would like to thank the following Brats for donating beyond the suggested AdBak amount this term. Your generosity helps keep the ABI going! Donations are...(more)

- Dallas by the Numbers

- A Class (AB '65) Act

- The Votes Are In

- Order Reunion Class and Group Photos

- Upcoming Events

- Show Us Your Pics!

- Q1 Financials

- Extra Special Donor Shukran

Follow Us:

ABI on facebook

ABI on twitter

ABI on Flickr

ABI on YouTube

New in the Suq:

Check out the newest items in the online Suq:reunion-logo coffee mugs, ghutra print pens and mouse pads!

ABI Board:

President

Marie Littlejohn-Dunn DH'77

Vice President

Randa Owen-Williams DH'65

Treasurer

Tom Littlejohn DH'84

Secretary

Kim Zinszer DH'67

Reunion Oversight Director

Diane Knipfel-Slingluff AB'75

Director at Large - Nominations

Andrew Bobb DH'74

Director at Large

Diana Ryrholm-Geerdes RT'62

Database Director

Duane Hopple RT'79

Publications Director

Mike Simms AB'78

Class Representative Director

Robin Payne-White DH'59

Website Director

Dawn Kolb DH'92

Share your Dallas reunion photos

Sun, 12 Jun 2011 17:31:56 GMT

There are 2 simple ways to share your photos from the Dallas reunion.

(1) Email upload directly to ABI's flickr site. This works best if you only have a single photo or small number of photos to upload. Please be sure to put the photo title and identifying tags to help us keep everyone's photos organized:

Email address: turned16youre@photos.flickr.com

Your photo title tag: reunion Dallas 2011

Body: your photo description

(2) Batch upload your photos to ABI's reunion photo dropbox. If you have a bunch of reunion photos you would like to share in ABI's Dallas 2011 Flickr album, you can upload them to the following folder, and we will upload to the flickr site for you. Please place them in the Dallas 2011 Photos folder and send Marie a note to let her know there are photos to pick up.

URL: https://public.me.com/marie.dunn

Password: brats2011

ABI Announcement #54

Fri, 20 May 2011 05:42:24 GMT

Announcement #54
May 20, 2011

Deadline for Online Registration
Discount Raffle Ticket Deadline
Updated Fairmont Reservation Instructions
Sign Up for Reunion Text Messages
Mobile Reunion Photo Sharing
Mail/E-mail Those Ballots!

1. Deadline for Online Registration

Online registration with online payment will close at midnight Sunday, 5/22/2011 in order for us to finish printing badges and all that other last minute scramble to prepare for Thursday.

If you miss the cutoff, no worries! You are still welcome to register onsite. We hope to see you there!

2. Discount Raffle Ticket Deadline

Online discount raffle ticket sales will also close at midnight Sunday, 5/22/2011. Get 'em now, folks, or pay a little more to buy them onsite. We've got some really cool stuff to raffle off!

Discount pricing:

$5.00 for 3 tickets
$10.00 for a packet of 8
$25.00 for packets of 25.

(At the reunion, the cost will be 2 tickets/$5.00, 5 tickets/$10.00, 20 tickets/$25.00).

3. Updated Fairmont Reservation Instructions

Our room block has been released, so online booking is no longer available. You can still reserve a room by calling Fairmont Reservations Department at 1-800-441-1414. Make sure you identify yourself as being with AramcoBrats Reunion for ease of booking.

4. Sign Up for Reunion Text Messages

To receive the very latest information about the 2011 AramcoBrats reunion straight to your mobile phone, text BRATS to 53137. We'll send you updates via text message* with news and info about the biggest Brat party of 2011.

*Your carrier's text message rates apply.

5. Mobile Reunion Photo Sharing

Share your reunion photos instantly with the Brat community by uploading to ABI's flickr account via email. Your photo(s) will automatically appear in ABI's Flickr photostream AND on ABI's Facebook wall. It's simple! Just email your photo(s) to the mobile upload email address. Your subject line should be your photo title plus tag: reunion Dallas 2011. The body of your email should be any photo description you would like to include. Thanks in advance for sharing!

Email address: turned16youre@photos.flickr.com

Subject: Your photo title tag: reunion Dallas 2011

Body: your photo description

6. Mail/E-mail those Ballots!

Don't forget to vote! It's getting a little late to return ballots via snail mail, but remember: properly filled out, signed and scanned ballots may be submitted via email to ballot@aramco-brats.com. Emailed ballots must be submitted before 11:59 pm on 5/28/2011 to be counted.

See "all y'all" in Dallas!,

Marie Littlejohn-Dunn DH '77

ABI President

for the

ABI Board

ABI Announcement #53

Thu, 12 May 2011 10:51:54 GMT

Announcement #53
May 12, 2011

In this announcement:

Hami, Hami, Y'all!
Vote!
Help Build Your Reunion Jukebox
Discounted Raffle Tickets Online!
Check Your Contact Info

1. Hami, Hami, Y'all!

You know you want to be at the big bash in the big "D," so do yourself a favor and don't wait to register at the door! Online registration will remain open through 5/22/2011. The mail-in registration option will be disabled on 5/15/2011 in order to allow time for checks to be mailed and received before the reunion. Register now!

REMINDER: you must be either a Supporting or Sustaining member to register. (This is our newfangled way of saying you have to pay AdBak.) Not one? Go to your profile page and in the Membership Details section, click "Change Membership Level." Be sure to select the appropriate level (Domestic v. International).

2. Vote!
Check your mailbox for your ABI ballot form (if you haven't already received it), and please vote! Be sure to write your name/address information clearly on the form and return completed ballots via mail to:

AramcoBrats, Inc.

c/o Andrew Bobb

3729 Arnold

Houston, TX 77005

Please allow sufficient time for delivery before May 20, 2011. Ballots that arrive after May 20 may not be counted at the reunion.

Properly filled out, signed and scanned ballots may also be submitted via email to ballot@aramco-brats.com. Emailed ballots must be submitted before 11:59 pm on 5/28/2011 to be counted.

If you do not receive a ballot in the mail, we may not have current address information for you. Please download an electronic copy of the ballot from the website and check your contact information online!

IMPORTANT: if you returned your ballot via email on Monday, 5/9/11, please resend to make sure we received it. We had a brief glitch with that email address.

3. Help Build Your Reunion Jukebox
Just a reminder to help us fill our reunion jukebox with streaming music from grooveshark.com. Sign in as bratmusic2011 (password dallas2011) to check out what has already been added and/or add your own song selections to the decade-based playlists we have set up: "Best of the 19XXs," etc. Just look up a song in the search window, drag it into the appropriate decade playlist, and you're done! If you really want to get fancy, you can even upload music from your own desktop collection!

Feel free to contact Dawn if you have questions or suggestions.

4. Discounted Raffle Tickets Online!

Take advantage of our discounted prices by purchasing your raffle tickets online between now and May 22nd! The online sales will close on that date to give us time to tabulate the ticket purchases and have your tickets ready for you at registration. The more tickets you buy, the greater your chances of winning the raffle item(s) you have bid on.

Online prices:

3 tickets for $5,
8 tickets for $10
25 tickets for $25

Onsite prices:

2 tickets for $5
5 tickets for $10
20 tickets for $25

PURCHASE NOW and get more bang for your buck!

(For raffle/auction questions and donations, contact raffleauction@aramco-brats.com.)

5. Check Your Contact Info

If you haven't checked your contact information, now is a good time to do so before we finalize information for the directories. Whatever we have in our database as of Friday the 13th is how your listing will appear. To check your contact information, Go to your profile page and click "edit" at the top if you need to make any changes.

See y'all in Dallas!,

Marie Littlejohn-Dunn DH '77
ABI President
for the
ABI Board

ABI Announcement #52

Fri, 15 Apr 2011 00:26:15 GMT

Announcement #52
April 14, 2011

In this announcement:

There's Still Time!
Need to Cancel or Add a Reunion Registration?
Help Build Your Reunion Jukebox
Discounted Raffle Tickets Online!
Reunion Suq Vendors

1. There's Still Time!

There is still time to register for the reunion in Dallas. You can always pay at the door, but why wait? It's so much easier to walk into registration to pick up your badge and goodies then join the party! Register now, folks!

In order to allow time for checks to be mailed and received before the reunion, the mail-in registration option will be disabled on 5/15/2011. Registration with online payment will still be available through Sunday, 5/22/2011.

2. Need to Cancel or Add a Reunion Registration?
If you have already registered for the reunion and need to cancel or add a guest, please contact Dawn who will take care of it for you. (See cancellation/refund policy.)

3. Help Build Your Reunion Jukebox
Jukeboxes are becoming antiques, so we're trying something new in the canteen at this reunion: a netbook with streaming music through grooveshark.com. Instead of adding quarters and paging through CDs, folks will be able to search by song or artist and add their selection to the queue. Presto!

Wouldn't it be great if we could build some playlists before the reunion? We have already set up a grooveshark account, so you can do just that! If you want to help build a great music collection you and your classmates will enjoy, go to grooveshark.com any time before the reunion and sign in as bratmusic2011 (password dallas2011) to add songs to the decade-based playlists we have set up: "Best of the 19XXs", etc. Just look up a song in the search window, drag it into the appropriate decade playlist, and you're done! If you really want to get fancy, you can even upload music from your own desktop collection!

Feel free to contact Dawn if you have questions or suggestions.

4. Discounted Raffle Tickets Online!

Now that your reservations are made, it’s time to start gearing up for the event itself. In case you’ve been wondering, YES, our ever-popular raffle and silent and live auctions will take place again this year.

As in the past, we will have a wide variety of items - from brass camels and candlesticks, stuffed animals, bedu jewelry, clothing, books, decorative brass plates, coffee pots, hookahs and incense burners to cookbooks, books and manuals. Items are still coming in via donations from fellow brats. Among our goodies should be something which strikes your eye - something which you always regretted not having collected while you were there (perhaps your budget was nonexistent?).

Take advantage of our discounted prices by purchasing your raffle tickets online between now and May 22nd! The online sales will close on that date, to give us time to tabulate the ticket purchases and have your tickets ready for you at registration. The more tickets you buy, the greater your chances of winning the raffle item(s) you have bid on.

Online prices:

3 tickets for $5,
8 tickets for $10
25 tickets for $25

Onsite prices:

2 tickets for $5
5 tickets for $10
20 tickets for $25

PURCHASE NOW and get more bang for your buck!

(For raffle/auction questions and donations, contact raffleauction@aramco-brats.com.)

5. Reunion Suq Vendors

We've had a great response to Suq signup for this reunion. Brats will be selling everything from books and clothes to jewelry and Arabian artifacts and lots in between, so bring some extra spending faloose! That's the good news. The bad news is the Suq is almost full, so space and tables are now on a first-come, first-served basis. Wish we could squeeze in more because it would feel a lot like the old Al Qaisariyyah Suq in Hofuf, but we have to play by the rules.

Shukran!,

Marie Littlejohn-Dunn DH '77
ABI President
for the
ABI Board

ABI Announcement #51

Wed, 30 Mar 2011 12:42:54 GMT

Announcement #51
March 30, 2011

In this announcement:

What a Deal!
Yalla, Yalla!
Class Gathering Spots
Gift Registration
Got Suq Stuff?

1. What a Deal!

Road trip to Dallas	Your mileage may vary
Group room rates at the Fairmont Dallas	$105/night ($74 savings over average nightly rate) or $52.50/night because you're sharing with your best friend from childhood!
Discounted parking	$13/day ($10/day discount) or $5/day at the YMCA lot
4 fun-filled days and nights at the 13th Biennial Aramco Brat Reunion* including: 15% off food and beverages T-shirt, goodie bag, assorted Brat swag Nifty reunion badge (you won't get 15% off without it) Discounted banquet meal ($35 savings) Dance band Jukebox, foosball and other games Garage band equipment, so you can jam all night Fun door prizes Night time, poolside movies featuring "Hamad and the Pirates," "Home," and "Coming Home"	$79 or less than $20/day!
Coming home and seeing the best friends you ever had	........PRICELESS.

*Warning: may cause sleep deprivation, loss of voice from talking too much, prolonged periods of smiling, flashbacks, and ostentatious (is that possible?) displays of gold jewelry. Some may also experience tears upon departure, sudden urges to stay in touch with new and old friends, and solemn vows to never miss another ABI reunion!

2. Yalla, Yalla!

March 31st is tomorrow! This is the deadline for early registration and for full refunds on cancellations. As of April 1, a late fee of $20 will be applied to all registrations that are not paid in full. If you are paying by check, your envelope must be postmarked by 3/31/2011. Register now, folks!

REMINDER: you must be either a Supporting or Sustaining member to register. (This is our newfangled way of saying you have to pay AdBak.) Not one? Go to your profile page and in the Membership Details section, click "Change Membership Level." Be sure to select the appropriate level (Domestic v. International).

3. Class Gathering Spots

Need a place to gather your class before Saturday night’s (28 May) class parties? Your Brat board and reunion committee has the answer. Four rooms at the Fairmont are being set aside for groups of classes. We will arrange for tables to be set up in the rooms and a cash bar in the area adjacent. The rooms will be available from 4 PM to midnight. This will be a great place for classes to gather prior to outings to other venues for individual parties. And, yes, you can drop in on other groups.

The Oak Room with capacity for 180 will be set aside for classes 1980 through 1989; the Continental Room (capacity 90) will be used by classes 1970 through 1979; the Far East Room (capacity 90) will be set aside for classes 1950 through 1969, and the State Room (capacity 60 ) will be designated for classes 1990 through present.

4. Gift Registration

Want to register a brat friend? What a great idea, and what a great friend! If you were thinking of doing something like this for another Brat, the best thing to do is contact Duane (duane@aramco-brats.com) first to see if they already have an active account. He can then help you get everything taken care of and even email you the invoices.

5. Got Suq Stuff?

Brats like other Brats' works, so if you have something to sell, be it jewelry, book(s), photos, quilts, t-shirts, you name it, sign up for a table at the Suq. It will be conveniently located just off the pool, so you're sure to get plenty of traffic and not miss out on the party yourself. To reserve your table contact Cathy Singelyn-McDaniel at reunionsuq@aramco-brats.com. She will set you up with a table and answer any questions you have.

Shukran!,

Marie Littlejohn-Dunn DH '77
ABI President
for the
ABI Board

ABI Announcement #50

Thu, 24 Mar 2011 07:51:01 GMT

Announcement #50
March 24, 2011

In this announcement:

Yalla, Yalla! Early Registration Deadline!
A Place to Eat, Drink And Be Merry...And Rest
Last Call for Nominations
Where to Park Your Camel

1. Yalla, Yalla! Early Registration Deadline!

March 31 is just 1 week away! This is the deadline for early registration and for full refunds on cancellations. As of April 1, a late fee of $20 will be applied to all registrations that are not paid in full. If you are paying by check, your envelope must be postmarked by 3/31/2011. Register now, folks, and keep that $20 in your pocket to spend poolside with your classmates at the reunion!

REMINDER: you must be either a Supporting or Sustaining member to register. (This is our newfangled way of saying you have to pay AdBak.) Not one? Go to your profile page and in the Membership Details section, click "Change Membership Level." Be sure to select the appropriate level (Domestic vs International).

2. A Place to Eat, Drink And Be Merry...And Rest

In just a little over 2 months - Reunion Time!!!! The Fairmont will release our room block to the general public on May 10, so be sure to make your hotel reservation before that date. The room night rate is only $105. Even if you live in the Dallas area, you might want to consider reserving a room for a night or two, so you can visit with your friends into the wee hours without having to constantly check you watch and worry about getting in your car to drive home. Book now!

And, remember - We have complimentary internet access in guest rooms for Fairmont President's Club members. Attendees may enroll prior to arrival at www.fairmont.com/fpc. It doesn't cost anything to join!

3. Last Call for Nominations

Last call for candidates seeking an elected position on the Board. Anyone wanting to run for: (1) President; (2) Vice President; (3) Treasurer; or (4) Secretary please submit your name(s) to Andrew Bobb by March 31, 2011. Ballots have to be printed, mailed and returned prior to the Dallas reunion to accommodate those who will not be attending! Ballots will also be available at the reunion.

4. Where to Park Your Camel

Discounted valet parking for 180 camels (cars) is available at the Fairmont Dallas for AramcoBrat hotel guests at $13.00 per day. The cost includes unlimited in and out privileges. This is $10.00 cheaper than their current price. Additional parking is available at various other locations. However, the hotel recommends YMCA (open lot) at Ross & Field Street which is located diagonally across from the hotel. They charge $5.00 flat rate - guests deposit cash or credit in the pay station.

Shukran and hammi, hammi, y'all!,

Marie Littlejohn-Dunn DH '77
ABI President
for the
ABI Board

ABI Announcement #49

Sat, 12 Mar 2011 12:26:24 GMT

Announcement #49
March 12, 2011

In this announcement:

Deadlines Looming!
Book Your Flights!
Seeing Double
And the Winners Are...(Upgrade Drawing)
Raffle/Auction Donations
Calling All Musicians!

1. Deadlines Looming!

Believe it or not, March 31, is just a few weeks away! This is the deadline for early registration and for full refunds on cancellations. As of April 1, a late fee of $20 will be applied to registrations. The committee will start placing orders for goodie bags and other materials based on early registration numbers. If you register after the deadline or at the reunion, you will not be assured of getting a goodie bag and contents. Register now, folks! Keep that $20 in your pocket to spend poolside with your classmates at the reunion!

REMINDER: you must be either a Supporting or Sustaining member to register. (This is our newfangled way of saying you have to pay AdBak.) Not one? Go to your profile page and in the Membership Details section, click "Change Membership Level." Be sure to select the appropriate level (Domestic vs International).

2. Book your flights!

If you have been watching the news or filling up at the gas pump, you are probably painfully aware that unrest in the Middle East is causing fuel prices to rise. Airlines are raising their fares accordingly, so be sure to book your flights as soon as possible!

3. Seeing Double

We still have people who were already in our database attempting to RE-register on the website. If you received this email, then you are already in our database and do NOT need to register, even if you have never logged into the new web site. If you have never logged into the new website, click "forgot password" in the login box at the top-right of the home page.

4. And the Winners Are...(Upgrade Drawing)

Here's how it went down:

The Room Upgrade Drawing was managed by a designated member of the Reunion Oversight Committee (ROC) and the Database Director.

As an email request was received at the upgrade drawing email address, the Database Director entered all the information into an Excel spreadsheet. The date/timestamp of the email was utilized to determine the order of entry. As the spreadsheet was updated, the Database Director forwarded a copy of the spreadsheet to the ROC member. If a request was missing some of the required information (as set forth in the rules listed on the web site), the Database Director sent an email to the Brat informing them of the missing information. At the time the full and complete information was received, then and only then was the information added as an entry in the spreadsheet.

When reunion registration opened, brats were sent numerous notices to register, as well enter for the drawing prior to the February 18th deadline. Once the deadline for entering the drawing closed, the Database Director reviewed all entries to make sure they fully qualified. Those not meeting all the requirements were excluded from the upgrade drawing. This list was passed to the ROC member who then confirmed the room reservation with the Fairmont Dallas.

The process of picking the winners was performed using a randomizer program. As the President was not privy to the spreadsheet, the Database Director sent the link to a randomizer program along with the number ranges to use. The President generated a list of numbers which was forwarded to the ROC member and Database Director. The Database Director then matched the numbers to the row number in the spreadsheet. The name corresponding to the row number was declared a winner. The winners and a list of alternates were passed to the ROC member who then validated the winners identified by the Database Director.

The ROC member contacted each winner to get their permission to switch the their room reservation to an upgraded suite. Winners were given 4 days to respond. Upon receiving the approval emails, the ROC member contacted the hotel to change the room reservation.

And the winners are:

TAMI PERCLE

BRIDGET HALPIN
DIANA LYNN
DONNA MAILHOT
BARBARA MARTIN
JEFF CIVALE
DIANE O'NEAL
NANCY PAIS
MAGGIE SILVERSTEIN
DEAN BARNES
LINDA SWARTZ
DAVID JONES
MATT ROSENBERGER

DAVID JESSICH

If a winner finds that they need to cancel their reservation, we have asked them to give us permission to cancel for them so that we may assign the upgrade to the next person in line on the alternate list.

5. Raffle/Auction Donations

May is just around the corner. Our plans are gelling and bode for a fantastic reunion! Just a reminder that those of you who want to clear out your attics and contribute items to our always popular raffle, silent and live auctions should probably not procrastinate much longer - or the opportunity will have passed you by. Please contact Randa at raffleauction@aramco-brats.com if you are considering making a donation to the cause or if you have any questions as to what types of items we would like to receive. Anything you contribute will undoubtedly be appreciated by another brat.

6. Calling All Musicians!

The Dallas Reunion committee encourages you to come to the reunion and jam with your fellow brat musicians. This reunion will be home to 2 (TWO) music venues! In addition to the usual garage band set up, we will also provide an Acoustic Oasis (complete with grand piano and acoustic guitar) for those that prefer their music 'unplugged.' The other side of the musical coin will have basic band set up (drums, guitars, keyboard, amps, and mics). Attendees are welcome to bring their own instruments. Don't be shy! Come to the reunion and step up to the mic and help make the party happen!

Questions can be directed to reunion2011@aramco-brats.com.

Shukran and hammi, hammi, y'all!,

Marie Littlejohn-Dunn DH'77
ABI President
for the
ABI Board

Unsubscribe

Room Upgrade Drawing

Tue, 15 Feb 2011 22:18:00 GMT

The deadline for the room upgrade drawing is just a few days away - Friday, February 18th. Don't forget that you must (1) be fully registered for the reunion and (2) hold a hotel reservation to be eligible. Hami, hami, y'all!

ABI Announcement #48

Sat, 29 Jan 2011 19:25:57 GMT

Announcement #48
January 29, 2011

In this announcement:

It's Now or Never - Upgrade Drawing
Time Is Running Out - Room Reservations
Check the Events Calendar
Seeing Double
PayPal Not Your Pal?
Raffle And Auction Items

1. It's Now or Never - Room Upgrade Drawing

Thanks to all of you that have followed all the rules and signed up for the Upgrade Drawing (see details). We have several upgrades to distribute. In order to cross one more thing off our plate, we have set Friday, February 18 as the deadline for the drawing. You have one more step to complete. If you haven't already done so, you need to register and pay for the reunion no later than Friday, February 18. Winners will be notified shortly after the drawing occurs which will give you plenty of time to get used to your new accommodations. When we notify you that you have won, we will ask you to give us permission to switch your current reservation to the upgrade. You will have 4 days to respond. If we do not hear from you within that period of time we will move on to the next winner. If you have any questions or concerns please contact upgradedrawing@aramco-brats.com.

2. Time Is Running Out - Room Reservations

Our room block is currently 86% filled. This means that there aren't many rooms left. The Fairmont has agreed to add to our room block as long as rooms are available. As we get closer to the reunion there probably will not be any more rooms available. If you haven't reserved a room, now is the time!

3. Check the Events Calendar

Be sure to watch the Events Calendar for alternative reunion activities organized by a reunion attendee. We currently have a Saturday afternoon activity listed that sounds like great family fun - LEGOLAND Discovery Center. The organizer, David, hopes there is enough interest to get a discounted group rate. If you are interested in doing this with your children, please let the organizer know by "registering."

If you would like to organize an outing or activity at the reunion and want to get the word out, the Events Calendar is a great way to broadcast it and keep track of who is coming. The Events Calendar works a lot like "events" on facebook:

A list of attendees is automatically generated, so you don't have to keep track.
Email updates and reminders can be directed to attendee list.

Send us the details and any contact information for an event you would like to organize, and we'll be happy to create a listing for you!

4. Seeing Double

We have had a number of people who were already in our database attempt to RE-register on the website. If you received this email, then you are already in our database and do NOT need to register, even if you have never logged into the new web site. If you have never logged into the new website, click "forgot password" in the login box at the top-right of the home page. If you do not remember what email address you gave us, it's THIS one. (Yeah, yeah...go ahead and laugh.)

5. PayPal Not Your Pal?

We have had several people alarmed by the fact that they were sent to a PayPal page to process online payment. This is ABI's chosen method of collecting payments online and does NOT require you have a PayPal account yourself. Once you are directed to ABI's PayPal page, you still have the option to pay by credit or debit card. You do NOT need to create a PayPal account.

If PayPal will not accept the credit card you are trying to use, it may be because you have a PayPal account yourself and have that credit card number listed under your account. (This is one of the ways PayPal protects against attempted fraud.) You will need to either (1) use your PayPal account to use that particular credit card or (2) use a different credit card.

6. Raffle and Auction Items

We are in need of items to raffle and auction at the reunion. We rely 100% on donated items, so we definitely need your help and involvement. Surely you have some Saudi/Aramco stuff taking up space in your attic or garage which no longer fits your decor, or you have too many duplicates and not enough room. Why not consider donating them to this worthwhile and entertaining event?

Contact raffleauction@aramco-brats.com to offload your stuff for a good cause, knowing that it is going to a good home to be proudly displayed and enjoyed. If you could include an image of the item, that would be appreciated as well.

Shukran and see you in May!

Marie Littlejohn-Dunn DH'77
ABI President
for the
ABI Board

ABI Announcement #47

Mon, 17 Jan 2011 23:37:17 GMT

In this announcement:

Reunion Registration Is Now Live!
Unexpected, Bratty Surprises
Improve Your Brat Connections

1. Reunion Registration Is Now Live!
The moment you all have been waiting for has finally arrived! We are happy to announce that you can start registering to attend the reunion this May. Just log in to the ABI website and REGISTER! Please read the explanation of fees, payment options, and cancellation fees before registering.

A few notes before you rush over:

You must be either a Supporting or Sustaining Member for the registration function to be enabled, so if you haven't upgraded your membership (paid your administrative baksheesh), you must do this first. Once you log in to the site, instructions for doing this are on the Main Gate page.
You are not fully registered until full payment has been received.
Even if you reside in the Dallas area and are only planning on attending one day at the hotel, you still must register and pay the reunion fees. The fees cover much, much more than just the banquet and goodie bag.

If you have issues regarding the website or registration process, please contact Dawn.

Questions about the reunion itself should be directed to reunion2011@aramco-brats.com

2. Unexpected, "Bratty" Surprises
In 2009, we received an incredible, anonymous donation in the amount of $5,000 from a Ras Tanura brat. The donor specified that the money be "used for the reunion." At the time we received this donation, the reunion budget and registration fee had already been set. The LA Committee choose to use the money to provide appetizers at the Friday Night Opening Reception which was not (and never has been) included in the reunion budget.

This very generous supporter has surprised us again with another $5,000 contribution to be used for the Dallas reunion. The money has been applied to the reunion budget to provide entertainment for the Sunday night dance and help defray costs of rental equipment for the Canteen (i.e. garage band equipment, games, juke box). This has allowed us to reduce the registration fee by $7.14 per attendee. Wow!!!

Amazing things "do" happen when you least expect it. Our sincere thanks to this RT brat!!!

3. Improve Your Brat Connections
Did you know you can now add your high school and college to your member profile. Both can be used as search terms in the directory, so you can find fellow alumni. This is a new feature, so have a little patience - it will take a while for enough people to update their profiles with their school info. While you're updating your profile, why not list the URL of your facebook page as your website? Help your long, lost friends find you on facebook!

Shukran and see you in May!

Marie Littlejohn-Dunn DH'77
ABI President
for the
ABI Board

BratNews - eEdition Winter 2010

Fri, 17 Dec 2010 09:01:45 GMT

Editor's Note

DALLAS 2011!

Howdy, Y'all - it's time to come to Dallas !!!! Yup, the home of J.R. Ewing, the Texas Rangers baseball club, and those football Cowboys is also hosting the next Aramco Brat Reunion. It will be held in downtown Dallas, center...

Click Here to Read More....

A Message from Your President

Fellow Brats,
When your board started the current term, we set out to accomplish 3 major objectives: (1) move financial records over to a more appropriate application, QuickBooks, (2) deploy a new website with an online database, calendar, and...

Click Here to Read More....

Have You Seen Us Lately?

On September 14, 2010 we launched the new ABI website. Not only do we have a new look, but the new site has many new features to help you stay connected with the brat community. To date, over 500 Brats have...

Click Here to Read More....

Calling On All Brats - DY’ AL HINNA!

Hello . . . . Third Culture Kids . . . . the REUNIONS don’t “JUST HAPPEN.” This isn’t BEWITCHED!
Our reunions happen because a group of dedicated Brats - your Board - work closely with another group of dedicated Brats - a site Reunion Committee - to plan and plan and plan - a massive three day party; and all you have to do...

Click Here to Read More....

One Aramcon's Junk Is Another's "Treasure"

So much about a Brat Reunion distinguishes it from any other reunion you may have attended. More than a class reunion, it is a community reunion which truly takes you back to...

Click Here to Read More....

ADBAK: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know (or not)

You may have noticed (and been confused by) the new process for paying AdBak. It is, in essence, the same as it always has been, but the mechanics are a little different with our online database. So here is AdBak explained: Your AdBak status for the current term is defined by your membership level...

Click Here to Read More....

Extra Special Donor Thank Yous

HONORED DONOR LIST We would like to thank the following Brats for donating beyond the suggested AdBak amount this term. Your generosity helps keep the ABI going! Donations are...

Click Here to Read More....

Treasurer's Report

The latest financial statements (through the end of the previous quarter) are posted on aramco-brats.com as soon as the board approves them. For those of you - you know who you are - who elected to remain on the print list, we include them below for...

Click Here to Read More (and for numbers you can actually see)...

The times, they are a changin' and your BratNews is not immune to the inevitability of the impermanent nature of the universe.

This is the first issue of BratNews in the new era of electronic only ABI publications. A very few of you have indicated you wish to receive all of your newsletters in printed form, so we've bit the bullet and converted newsletter operations to the electronic model. Sure we'll deliver flimsies to the 5 or 6 people who just have to have paper, but for the most part you're BratNews will now show up in your email box.
Click Here to Read More....

Quick Links

nominations form
Reunion Information
abi galleries on flickr
ABI on Facebook
ABI on YouTube

Dallas Committee

ABI Board

President
Marie Littlejohn-Dunn DH'77

Vice President
Randa Owen-Williams DH'65

Treasurer
Tom Littlejohn Dh'84

Secretary
Kim Zinser DH'67

Reunion Oversight Director
Diane Knipfel-Slingluff AB'75

Director at Large - Nominations
Andrew Bobb DH'74

Director at Large
Diana Ryrholm-Geerdes RT'62

Database Director
Duane Hopple RT'79

Publications Director
Mike Simms AB'78

Class Representative Director
Robin Payne-White DH'59

Website Director
Dawn Kolb DH'92

AramcoBrats, Inc. News

Tell Us What You Think!

BratNews

Reunion Raffle Treasures

Exciting AdBak News!

Share:

Antiquities Homecoming Project Launched

La Paloma Reservations are now open!

Your ABI Board for the 2011-2013 Term

Ma'assalama to Randa, Mike and Kim

BratNews - September 28, 2011

Reunion Auction Extravaganza!

AramcoBrats in Arab News

Share:

2013 Reunion Announcement

BratNews - July 30, 2011

We would like to thank the following Brats for donating beyond the suggested AdBak amount this term. Your generosity helps keep the ABI going! Donations are...(more)

Share:

Share your Dallas reunion photos

There are 2 simple ways to share your photos from the Dallas reunion.

ABI Announcement #54

1. Deadline for Online Registration

Online registration with online payment will close at midnight Sunday, 5/22/2011 in order for us to finish printing badges and all that other last minute scramble to prepare for Thursday.

2. Discount Raffle Ticket Deadline

3. Updated Fairmont Reservation Instructions

4. Sign Up for Reunion Text Messages

5. Mobile Reunion Photo Sharing

6. Mail/E-mail those Ballots!

ABI Announcement #53

ABI Announcement #52

ABI Announcement #51

5. Got Suq Stuff?

ABI Announcement #50

ABI Announcement #49

Room Upgrade Drawing

ABI Announcement #48

ABI Announcement #47

BratNews - eEdition Winter 2010