The hawk-eyed amongst you will notice that this email is dated October.... when it's actually already November. Well, I thought I'd try to fool you, because I totally lost track of October, and forgot to do an E-ComMenT. So this is a belated October one, and maybe there will be another later in November!!
October has been so busy, I don't know whether I'm coming or going, but it's been a good month, with lots more Awareness raised, and money raised (and spent!) and lots happening.
I'll try and update you on some of it - but keep your eyes peeled for the next edition of ComMenT which might fill in the gaps!
Karen
URGENT RESEARCH APPEAL
As we said in the last update, we're able to go ahead with our research plans, thanks to your generosity. But remember, research is a never ending, ongoing challenge, and your help to top our kitty back up would be greatly appreciated.
If you can help, click on the link below to make a donation to the Research Fund - or you can send a cheque to the usual address, or text DOSH14 £10 to 70070.
Thank you so much - you're amazing! But remember, we can't do this work without your help.
Fundraising Manager
Since Nichola Hibbert decided to move on back in August, we've been discussing recruiting a new Fundraising Manager.
Well, we've now got past the discussing phase, you'll be glad to know, and have engaged a specialist agency to help us. And they've come up trumps and we're interviewing four great candidates next week.
Hopefully, we'll be able to introduce you to our new Fundraising Manager very soon!
Annual Conferences
Many thanks to all of you who took time to complete our survey regarding changing from one main Annual Conference to a series of Regional ones....
It's human nature, of course, but your responses don't help much - everyone wants regional conferences, preferably in their own town!! But you still want us to have nationally or internationally respected speakers - which of course, is pretty impossible - the likes of Mary Reilly just couldn't commit to that much travelling around, maybe for only a handful for people. Some of you are worried about the cost for us, of changing the format, but most of you want good hotels for little or no payment..... !
We're still pondering, but I suspect we may well stick with the one Annual Conference (sorry), but maybe - with Fundraiser doing his/her job - we can have the occasional mini conference dotted around the country too! Once the Trustees have had an opportunity to discuss the matter thoroughly, we'll let you know what we decide.
In the meantime, you can benefit from a discount for our Annual Conference for next year (11th April, Hilton Coventry) by going here - http://www.cmt.org.uk/annual-conference.php - please check with us first if you're unsure whether you're a "supporter" or a full member.
Spreading Awarenesss
We've been absolutely delighted with all the media coverage over the past two months - some of it still appearing just last week. Paula has done a great job for us, as ever, and we'd just like to thank everyone who took part in the publicity campaign this year. I know it's not exactly comfortable discussing yourself with journalists, and I also know that in a couple of instances, the quality of what was produced (and published) wasn't great, but of course, we have no control over that bit, much as we'd like to!
You can read most of the articles at www.cmt.org.uk/news.php - if there were any that you were in, that aren't featured here, send me the weblink if you have one, or a scan or copy of the article, and I'll upload it. It's nice to have as many as possible on the website, I think!
To volunteer for next year's Awareness campaign (I know, a bit early, maybe!) - just complete this short survey. You don't need to do this, if you completed it this year - https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/stories2015
And with professionals:
Lisa Welsh and I represented the organisation at the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists' Annual Conference in Birmingham recently, handing out mints, leaflets, pens and our expertise (!) to as many of the delegates as we possibly could!
and look who turned up to say hello (ignore the wine glass....!)
Christmas Cards
It's still not too late to order our lovely Christmas cards for this year. This is one of the two new designs and costs £3.25 for ten cards.
This one is called "Christmas in the Village".
The other new design is a singularly inappropriate one for us, considering how dodgy we are on our feet, but it's selling like hot cakes, and we only have about 20 packets left!!! Called "Balancing Santas", they are also £3.25 for a pack of 10.
If you are a "supporter" of the organisation, you may well have received a brochure in the post, telling you what we're about, and how you can help us by joining. We've had a pretty good response so far, considering they've only been out a couple of days.
If you've received one, and want to upgrade your membership online, don't forget you can do that easily at www.cmt.org.uk/pay-membership.php - we're looking forward to hearing from you!
Remember, together we really are stronger, and we need you as much (if not more!) than you need us! And if you have anything at all you want to know about, or comments to make, just ask!
We've been absolutely delighted with all the media coverage over the past two months - some of it still appearing just last week. Paula has done a great job for us, as ever, and we'd just like to thank everyone who took part in the publicity campaign this year. I know it's not exactly comfortable discussing yourself with journalists, and I also know that in a 
