So you’ve decided to join The Strawberry Tarts!! Welcome to The Red Hat Society
WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT??
The Strawberry Tarts, Chapter 68980 of the Red Hat Society is a social group of women “of a certain age” who come from many walks of life, The chapter exists to encourage fun and frivolity, individuality, personal growth, and sisterhood and to do it all with verve, humour and élan. What can be better than that?
We’re about taking a little personal time out - putting aside, for even a short while, our family and/or employment demands, dramas and concerns happening in our lives, deadlines and time constraints, and spending some time recharging our batteries by having a good laugh and enjoying fun and friendship.
We’re about approaching middle-age (whatever age that might be) with a twinkle in our eye. As we grow older (gracefully, or disgracefully – whatever!) then let’s do it with humour and understanding. Underneath the frivolity, we share a bond of affection, forged by common life experiences and a genuine enthusiasm for wherever life takes us next.
Too young? Too Old? Neither!! This is not about how old we are, - it’s about how old we’d think we were if we didn’t know how old we really are!! We don’t stop playing because we growing older…..we grow “old” because we stop playing. So we are going to PLAY!! We dress up in our Purples and Lavenders with our Red or Pink Hats and we have FUN!
Please read on for answers to frequently asked questions. Meanwhile, happy Red Hatting,
Bev Fussell,
“Queen of Tarts”
The Strawberry Tarts (Chapter 68980, Red Hat Society)
Western Australia.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
HOW DID THE IDEA OF THE RED HAT SOCIETY BEGIN?
It all started with a poem by English author - Jenny Joseph, entitled "Warning". You will have heard of it (".... I shall wear purple with a red hat that doesn't go....") But then one glorious woman took it one step further when she invited a friend to tea...and gave her a red hat to wear! Read more at the Red Hat Society web page. www.redhatsociety.com or for more comprehensive information about the RHS in Australia go to matildaroserhs@ozefamily.com. The Strawberry Tarts web site is here… http://strawberrytarts.googlepages.com/
WHERE ARE THE HEADQUARTERS?
“Hatquarters” of the Red Hat Society Inc. is located at Fullerton, California, USA. There are currently over 40,000 Chapters throughout the world in over 30 countries, involving approx. 1,000,000 women.
WHO ARE THE CHAPTER OFFICERS?
We don’t have formal meetings, elections or officers per se. The founder of each chapter is affectionately known as the “Queen Mother” – in our case Bev Fussell (“Queen of Tarts”). The Vice Queen of The Strawberry Tarts is Kerry Fussell (“Countess Kezzie of Krazy Kapers”).
All you need to remember is that we are a Monarchy – with the Queen having the final say! (and probably a lot leading up to it J) In keeping with this “royal” theme, each member of The Strawberry Tarts is invited to bestow on herself a “royal” title. If you can’t think of one for yourself initially, - no problem – other members will help with suggestions.
WHAT ARE THE RULES?
The RHS describes itself as a Disorganisation!! It has only one rule, but other than that, – just some guidelines. The only rule is the Dress Code.
WHAT IS THE DRESS CODE?
We are required, as an official chapter of the Red Hat Society to promote the dress code. Red Hatters are age 50 and above, and wear a Red Hat and Purple clothes to all official functions. We also have a number of "pink hatters" in our chapter. These are women under 50 who also wish to have fun. They must wear lavender and a pink hat until they reach the magical age of 50 and when they “red-uate”! It sounds a little crazy, but this really is fun, and it promotes our sisterhood! Trust us on this one! The only exception to this one and only rule is that if a member wishes, she may reverse the colours in the month of her birthday. i.e. Purple hat and red outfit for the over 50’s or lavender hat and pink outfit for the under 50’s.
WHERE CAN I FIND A RED HAT?
From department stores, boutiques, (see our "Where to Shop" on our home page) Op shops and even your own wardrobe. The more elaborate the better! Feathers, beads, netting, buckles, flowers, tiny birds, ladybugs are all interesting. Let your hat express your personality. Don’t forget you can always add a little creativity to a plain bonnet. You would be amazed at what an ordinary straw sun hat can look like after it has been treated to a can of bright red spray paint and a bit of adornment. Straw, felt, cowboy, baseball, visors, fedoras – anything as long as it is RED if you are 50+ and PINK if you are under 50. You might find it’s so much fun, you will be going back for a second one – or more!
CLOTHING IDEAS?
Department Stores and Boutiques. Many of our members have had wonderful success in finding purple/lavender clothing at thrift shops….ie. Good Sammies/Salvos etc. You will be amazed at what you will find at a very reasonable price. Photos are an important part of our records, and we’ve found that solid colour photographs well, but in general, any shade of purple is acceptable. The same applies for Pink Hatters with their lavender clothing. As a starter, you might consider a “Sunday Best” outfit and elegant hat and a “Casual RHS” outfit for more informal gatherings.
WHAT KINDS OF EVENTS WILL BE SCHEDULED FOR MEMBERS?
We aim for an interesting mix of events to let all get a chance to have fun! We enjoy being a recognisable presence in the community, so some activities such as luncheons, dinners and other activities occur in public places, and some are in the form of private home gatherings such as afternoon teas, BBQ’s, parties, etc. Some occur during the week and others at weekends. To accommodate the interests of a wide cross-section of members, we have a broad area of affordable interesting things we can do. Overall we try to ensure that no one is excluded and we try to cater for all tastes and budgets.
Besides luncheons, teas and dinner gatherings, other activities include Concerts, Theatre, Shopping Trips, Tours, Dinner Cruises, Botanical Gardens, Picnics, Bicycle rides, Walks ……and anything else you can think of! Members are encouraged to contribute their ideas for activities. The emphasis is always on FUN AND FRIENDSHIP!!
WHO WILL ORGANISE THE ACTIVITIES?
In recent times we’ve adopted the “birthday month” system. That is, the members with birthdays in the same month, get together and plan activities for that month. In general, the buddy system applies – i.e. some members volunteer to host an activity together. However, some events may require a few members’ involvement. We look forward to being entertained as our event Hostesses are inspired to share something they love to do with the rest of us. The hosting role is not mandatory. It’s OK for Red Hatters to “Just don’t do it!” – but we hope that many do. It will be the role of the Queen Mother to ensure continuity of program, but the program itself is at the discretion of members
HOW DO I JOIN?
Make contact with any Strawberry Tart who will arrange to have sent to you a Registration form - either by email or post. Please complete and return to the address given on the form, together with your registration fee.
HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?
The Strawberry Tarts membership is currently $20/year (includes Public Liability Insurance) payable June each year. New members joining after December of each year pay just $10 for the remaining months of the year. . Cheques/money orders made payable to CASH (not Red Hat Society).
Each member pays her own way to each activity she chooses to attend. You are invited to participate as much as you like. Prices and information of each coming event will be announced in advance, so there are no hidden charges – and will feature in each monthly newsletter.
ARE THERE ANY OTHER COSTS?
At each event we have a raffle – usually 3 tickets for $2. Raffle monies help offset official registration with the Red Hat Society, and incidental expenses. Excess funds accumulated by the end of the year will be either used to subsidise an end-of-year chapter event, or donated to a chosen charity. Please note: Raffle prizes are often donated by chapter members at a cost of around $5, (usually unwanted gifts) but this is not a mandatory requirement. Such donations can be handed to Vice Queen Countess Kezzie of Krazy Kapers. To prevent prize acquisitions becoming a chore, it is appreciated if previous prize winners provide a prize for another event.
ARE OUR MENFOLK EVER INCLUDED IN OUR ACTIVITIES?
As many of our members do not have partners, and some enjoy the notion of a ‘girls only’ club, the answer to this one is ‘not usually’ – but yes, occasionally we do open appropriate outings for our partners to join us if they wish – and on these occasions they are very warmly welcomed.
HOW WILL I BE KEPT INFORMED?
The Chapter publishes THE STRAWBERRY TARTS NEWSLETTER usually monthly. Members are invited to submit information for the newsletter either by email…. b.fussell@iinet.net.au or by snail mail to the following address…
Queen of Tarts Bev Fussell, 30 Bonnard Cres., Ashby WA 6065
Members with an email address will be sent their newsletters by email. Those not on email (or who prefer snail mail) need to provide stamped addressed envelopes per year (pro rata to 1 January, eg Joining in July, provide 5 stamped envelopes, then 10 in January each year). These should be handed or sent to Queen Bev who distributes the newsletters each month.
YOU MAY ASK “WHAT IS EXPECTED OF ME?”….SOME GUIDELINES….
Just come along and enjoy yourself. Our whole purpose is Fun and quality Friendship!
Let your hair down and be yourself – the best person you can be.
Always remember that when The Strawberry Tarts are in the public eye, we can either fortify or mar the good reputation of The Red Hat Society….let’s keep that goodness fortified!
You may invite friends to join The Strawberry Tarts while chapter membership is open.
Warmly welcome new members.
Listen to the speaker.
Please give the Queen details of all outings as a courtesy.
Chapter event invitations includes all members, so do come along when you can. The more you participate, the more fun you’ll have and the stronger the friendships will grow.
Look for the similarities – not the differences in your sisters.
Think outside the square – it’s OK to be bold, innovative and creative – and this is very much encouraged. We’re all in this together to get the most and the very best out of life!
Be kind. If it is unkind, untrue or unnecessary - then let’s leave it unsaid.
Contacts for further information:
Queen: Bev Fussell “Queen of Tarts”
Tel: (08) 9404 5574
Mob: 0410 403 140
Email: b.fussell@iinet.net.au
Vice Queen: Kerry Fussell “Countess Kezzie of Krazy Kapers”
Mob: 0416 483 783
Email: kerry.fussell@bigpond.com
Strawberry Tarts website:
