Well chaps, we are officially Best Chamber in Scotland 2007!

At JCI Scottish conference in Glasgow this weekend, Edinburgh swept the board. Your current President was up and down like a yo-yo, which is quite a feat in taffeta, I can tell you....

Despite being close to tears, Alastair Davis managed to avoid any Gwyneth-style emotions when picking up his award for Best Member in Scotland! Or maybe the gin & tonic he smuggled in to the ceremony was a bit too strong....

For the second year in a row, Edinburgh's debaters (Karen, Andy, Ally & Marie) beat their arch-enemies Glasgow in a debate on the evils of alcohol...although surprising they were arguing against partaking. So, no alcopop patrons for us next year...

New speaker on the block, Stuart Ullathorne, was a fantastic ambassador for the Charlotte Square Club and was awarded the Best Speaker trophy - beating very able competitors from JCI Glasgow (Suzy Mimnah) and JCI Aberdeen (Pam Cradock). Stuart's world-class mentor, Andy McKechnie was also judged to have been the Best Debater in the final.

Later in the proceedings JCI Glasgow member, Suzy Mimnah picked up the Best New Member award and Pam received JCI Aberdeen's trophy for Best Project (for the JCI Scotland conference 2006), so they didn't go home empty-handed. JCI Inverness won the award for having the highest proportion of their membership at the conference.

Neil Ritchie, our T&D director for 2006 was recognised for Best Programme for his programme of training events. Kirsty & Stuart collected a silver tray and goblets on his behalf. Get dusting Mr Ritchie!

Last, but by no means least, Miss Lesley Fowler, was voted Best President for her 10-month stint as JCI Edinburgh President 2006 - a superb achievement! Lesley is currently available for mentoring and scrapbook coaching for next year's entries!

From me, an especially big thank you to Lesley, Ally & Neil who co-ordinated all the scrapbook entries this year - your efforts did us proud. As did all those who spoke, debated, participated and supported all our events in the last year.

If you weren't there in person, please join us for a celebratory drink next week, on Tuesday (1st May) or at First Friday Drinks at Ricks on Friday 4th.