Club of the Month: January 2001

Quo Vadis Investment Club

First things first: We are all more dynamic, intelligent and better looking than this photo indicates. As well, three of our members are with us in spirit only.

Chicks: Where are you located?

Quo Vadis: We can be found under a vast blue sky, 3000 feet above sea level, in a land of oil rigs, cattle brigs and corporate digs. We're in the booming metropolis of Calgary, Alberta... Yahoo!!

How did you meet?
Six years ago most of us were members of the Junior League, a volunteer organization for women. Like all associations, there is a common thread among its members. We are high energy community minded women who could never say no to a great idea. More social time together while exploring the world of investing sounded good. Thus the concept was born.

How did you come up with your name?
Easy... a number of ideas were thrown out for discussion and with a bit of marketing from its contributor, the name was agreed upon. Quo Vadis: Where are you going? Latin

How many members?
Our by-laws allow for twenty members. Currently we have 18 and are content with that number. We generally have 12 to 15 at each meeting. This is important, as we need a quorum to vote.

Do you meet on line or face-to-face?
We meet one morning a month for approx. 3 hours (hardly enough time). In theory, our meetings are structured on parliamentary procedure, with an agenda and chair. However, as we all have great opinions and like to talk at the same time, motions and discussions can be a wild ride! It's tough being the secretary in our group. No wonder she sometimes puts whatever she wants in the minutes!

What stocks do you own?
Our guideline is 40% blue chip, 40% growth and 20% speculative. (As we are all gold paners by nature, it is tough to keep the shooting stars at 20%.)

Nortel and Royal Bank are our biggest holdings. Currently Walt Disney is our only US stock. We have a total of 12 stocks, 6 of them being tech…. ouch. Over the past six years we have averaged 6% return. (unlike mutual funds, this number is not compounded!)

What is the greatest benefit of the club?
Well... you need only attend one meeting to recognize the benefits. Just like you, the readers of this article, we are an amazing group of women who can organize the world, run a household, plan the future, analyze the past and drink coffee at the same time. To be in our omniscient presence is revitalizing.

What have been your greatest problems?
Problems are the corner stone of success! We have experienced all sorts of growth curves! Reviewing and renewing objectives keeps the group cohesive. Encouraging educational growth keeps the group motivated. Sharing the workload makes for a happy colony of ants. Delighting in our differences strengthens the bonds of friendship.

What advise do you have for other clubs?
We're not old enough to give advice.