AramcoBrats, Inc.

Brats,
In this announcement:
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1- Coming to a Mailbox Near You
2-A Little Shameless Groveling
3- Plastic Anyone?
4- Shameless Groveling Revistited
5- Time to Polish The Gold
6- Attractive Headware Required
7- One Big, Happy Family
8- 'Tis the Season
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1- Coming to a Mailbox Near You
The next edition of BratNews is nearing completion.  This issue will
be packed with business stuff like election information, reunion news
and the long-anticipated reunion registration information.  It's hard
to believe but Asheville is only six months away. We'll also have
updates on the database upgrade project, the ABI audit and the credit
card project.  In addition, look for important information on
anticipated information sharing with Aramco Services Company as well
as all the other regular columns, reports and features you've come to
expect from the ABI's flagship publication.

2-A Little Shameless Groveling
As the year draws to a close, please add paying your AdBak
(Administrative Baksheesh) to your list of things to do. If you are
doing your budget for '07 don't forget this all-important line item.
It's just $18(US)and $23(international).  And that's for two years, a
directory and that special good feeling that you've done your part to
keep the ABI going into the future.  The AdBak is used for ABI
operations which include reunion planning, newsletters, website
hosting and management, professional fees (accounting, legal,
etc.),postage and shipping... in short, all the stuff we need to do to
keep the organization viable. For a complete listing see the ABI
Budget at http://www.aramco-brats.com/ .
We are an all-volunteer organization and that spirit of volunteerism
extends to our fundraising as well.  The AdBak is completely
voluntary, but we depend on it to keep the doors open and the
newsletters and website going.  The only caveat is that those folks
registering for the reunion will be required to pay their AdBak to
complete their registration.  AramcoBrats, Inc. is classified by the
IRS as a 501(c) 7 Social Organization so, while we are a non-profit,
your donations are not tax deductible.  Sorry about that, but the
cause is a good one so don't let it deter you from participating. Go
to http://www.aramco-brats.com/adbak.htm for more information on how
to pay your Adminstrative Baksheesh

3- Plastic Anyone?
After years of talking about it, the Brats voting in favor of it and
months of research and deliberation, the ABI board has elected to
begin taking credit cards as a form of payment for AdBaks,
registrations, and other purchases from our various fund-raising
programs.  This was not an easy decision as the world of credit cards
and merchant services is a very messy place. It's basically a jungle
out there and we needed to make sure we were selecting the most
cost-effective, reliable and secure program possible. After much
floor-writhing and gnashing of teeth we settled on PayPal as the best
option to start with.  Future boards may wish to reevaluate the
options, but PayPal's much-improved service really is the best for us
to use at least initially until we can really measure the costs and
benefits of a credit card program.  The service allows for the
processing of payments with or without a PayPal account and allows the
ABI to offer the payment option without paying truly exorbitant fees
for the many months of the year when we simply don't have any
financial activity.  Look for more information on this exciting new
option in the very near future.

4- Shameless Groveling Revistited
Another critical component of our fundraising activity has always been
the very popular raffle and auctions at the reunions.  In order to
keep those happening, we need things to raffle and auction.  If you
have Saudi or Aramco-related items taking up space in you attic or
garage, why not consider donating them to this worthwhile effort.
You'll be using your stuff to make other Brats happy and will be
funding the ABI at the same time.  Beats having that stuff taking up
storage space.  Contact raffleauction@aramco-brats.com to offload your
stuff to a good cause.

5- Time to Polish the Gold
I've said it above, but I'll say it again: Asheville is only six
months away!  Better polish those bangles and name rings.
Registration forms are coming out in the newsletter and there will be
an online registration option once the newsletter hits also. In the
meantime, though you definitely need to make your travel and
accommodation arrangements right now.  There is information on that at
http://www.aramco-brats.com/navreunion.htm

6- Attractive Headware Required
Speaking of Asheville, the North Carolina Reunion Committee is still
looking for ghutras of any color or variety.  If you have any of these
tucked away in the linen closet that you can part with to enhance the
reunion experience for everyone, shoot an e-mail off to
reunion2007@aramco-brats.com

7- One Big, Happy Family
The database upgrade, another long-anticipated project, has progressed
by leaps and bounds thanks to some very dedicated hard work by two
Brat volunteers.  Jay Crawford and Mark Rines have put their database
and IT genius together to work out the consolidation of the ABI's many
databases into one comprehensive system that will allow the various
functional entities (Database Director, E-mail Director, Webmaster,
Treasurer, Reunion Registration) within the organization to work with
the same data in real time. It may not sound like much, but it is a
huge step forward and a project that could have cost the Brats
thousands of dollars if not for the able and generous help of our Brat
volunteers.  A parallel system is being set up and the project is
entering the test phase.  We anticipate several months of testing
before we finally flip the switch and go live with the new system.

8- 'Tis the Season
 Avoid those crowded stores, long lines, and other things that make
you go ?bah, humbug!?  Pick out something fun and a little closer to
home for your favorite Brat or family member from the ABI Suq.  To see
what?s available, just click ?ABI Suq? under Quick Links on the ABI
home page ( http://www.aramco-brats.com/ ).  What better stocking
stuffer than an Aramco Brat t-shirt or lapel pin?  Questions?  Just
drop us a line ? suq@aramco-brats.com

Mike Simms AB'78
ABI President