It is summer. I promise. Though I can see how this torrential rain may have you persuaded otherwise.

And summer is always a fantastic opportunity to rest, relax and hang out with friends. Which is exactly what I have been doing for the last month! Some of these have even been non-JCI friends who were starting to forget I existed. Weddings, trips to the seaside, a few nights out and some quality time with my little nephew have all helped me to really recharge my batteries and get ready to make the most of the rest of this awesome year.

Don't worry though, I haven't totally neglected my JCI duties! Over the last month, we have hosted friends from JCI Mayo for our twinning weekend, and JCI Southampton for JCI Presenter training. We've volunteered at SAFE@LAST's Not So Strictly event where we cheered on JCI contestants Ben Hawley and Katie Ogley. We hosted extempore training and were delighted to bring the trophy back to Sheffield for the third year in a row (well done Gareth!). Cancer Maverick, Nina Joy, shared her incredible story of how she is surviving and thriving against the odds. If you missed it, don't forget you can buy her fabulous book!

I have also been thrilled to see our members representing JCI Sheffield throughout the region, and around the world. They have been out and about at the Yorkshire Day boat party, JCI Barnsley's legendary train pub crawl, JCI UK's strategy weekend and even European Academy in Sweden! We also have a JCI Yorkshire TOYP candidate, Rich Jones from Bradford, named as one of the Top Twenty Outstanding Young People in the world. To get him into the top ten and honoured at the JCI World Congress in November, vote now.

We all know though it's back to school time soon. Far from being depressed at, as I look ahead to September I cannot WAIT to get stuck in! We are kicking off with a new members' night, hosting the JCI Yorkshire Debating Competition, popping down to sunny Southampton for the JCI UK AGM and their Sea City Gala, learning about our Emotional Capital with Conor Moss and then rounding the month off with our Hollywood themed annual dinner! WOW!!

Before all that we do have a couple of fab events, so I'll hopefully see you tonight for Danny Lacey, Yorkshire Filmmaker, next week for debating training, or on 27 August for our Network Wednesday. Don't forget to bring any old sunglasses or glasses with you to these events to support our Shade Aid appeal.

See you soon!