Trustee Report, June 2006
UUA TRUSTEE REPORT
Joan Lund
June, 2006, General Assembly, St. Louis, Missouri
We came, we saw, we learned, we worked, we worshipped, and we played. Now General Assembly (GA), 2006 is history, a fine one at that. My husband, Gene, and I arrived at GA Tuesday a.m. in time for me to attend the first of two Board of Trustees (BOT) meetings held at GA. This year GA occurred from Wednesday through Sunday night. The BOT also meets the morning following the night of the Closing Ceremony. Gene and I stayed another day to spend time with some of our family. While at GA I re-united with many UU friends and acquaintances and was infused with UU spirit and love. Next year I hope to be with many of YOU in Portland, Oregon. This Trustee report will consist mostly of my personal observations and brief summaries on specific activities of particular interest to me during GA because the BOT does not generally ?conduct? business during this time.
I hope all of our Florida congregational presidents at GA attended the Friday afternoon workshop. In order to be partially reimbursed (75%) for GA registration presidents need to submit the form distributed at that event. According to our District Office 112 Florida UUs registered for GA, including 14 incoming or current presidents. As you know most of the significant GA happenings can be found at www.uua.org. It is a site I often frequent for news and information. A memorable event for me was the Ware lecture, poetry reading, by Pulitzer Prize winner Mary Oliver, who read her poetry with the grace and warmth only the writer can do. My favorites were the ones about her mischievous little dog, Perry. I urge you to visit the website and find what interests you. If you have questions or comments please let me know at jlund@uua.org.
President Rev. Bill Sinkford
Rev. Sinkford reported UU growth to be a BOT and Association priority. UUA growth was slightly over 1% last year and according to some data RE growth has dropped but in other data it is reported to be up 12%. He strongly stressed our need to improve the quality of our data research. There is a UUA Monitoring Team in place for the Devon, Pa. church start-up, as suggested from Pathways recommendations. Plans for Devon are proceeding as expected and more data will be forthcoming. The possibility of a Meadville Lombard/Starr King consolidation is proceeding. Negotiating will start in the fall, if the consolidation is to become a reality. One of the new capital campaign targets will be theological education. Rev. Sinkford reported on the Youth Ministry Consultation; more about that will appear later in this document. Also I will highlight later in the report some of Rev. Sinkford?s message to the Plenary.
Finance Committee- Lyn Conley and Dan Brody, UUA Financial Advisor
At the Tuesday BOT meeting Lyn reported a $100,000 loss in Friends of the UUA Income. However the Friends telephone solicitation did bring 6,000 new UU Friend donors. Lyn indicated Pathways will not be an expense in the 2007 fiscal year. The 2008 UUA budget was presented and received by the BOT. The bylaws require having this budget in place before GA. Dan talked about Community Investing and the importance of helping our congregations invest in places consistent with our values. As of GA 303 UUA employees have responded positively to the proposed UUA health plan. As has been stated in all the information to congregations, there must be 500 employees willing to sign on to the plan in order for it to become a reality. For questions that cannot be answered in the literature sent to every congregation or at the UUA website contact Rev. Ralph Mero (rmero@uua.org). The BOT will vote on finalization of the health plan at the October, 2006 meeting. We also heard from Barb Brown, member of the ?Congregations Come First? Initiative Committee, a team assembled by Moderator Gini Courter to find ways to remove organizational obstacle to congregational health and vitality. Look for the Trustee Tidbits August, 2006 column in which the topic will be/is this important initiative.
On Monday after GA the BOT spent much time talking about the successes and areas that need improvement in upcoming GAs. There is always conversation about growth and how our UUA goes about making decisions and carrying out plans. It was emphasized that there are currently 11 growth experiments underway in our Association. The BOT continued its discussion on the new guidelines regarding Independent Affiliates (IA). Much information has been disseminated to IAs and we are confident that the groups will work through this process. District UUA Trustees will be getting in contact with their respective Youth Council Representatives to initiate conversation and relationship between us. I look forward to talking with . The BOT and Department of Ministry continue to be concerned about the lack of tasteful behavior exhibited by a few of the congregants who feel the need to applaud or react in an inappropriate manner during the Service of the Living Tradition.
Last, but far from least, Bertha Perez, Treasure Coast UU Church, was approved as the new Florida District Annual Program Fund (APF) chair. A heartfelt thanks to her from our District and me.
After the exhilarating UU University activities, late afternoon on Wednesday we attended our Florida District In-gathering, at which Steve Helle, our District President eloquently spoke our fond farewells to Mary Higgins, District Executive (DE), who is leaving for the northeast. Mary expressed her gratitude to the Florida District UUs, and various folks who have taken on leadership roles while she has been among us. Farewell, Mary. The Florida District has been fortunate beyond words to work with you as our DE. for 10 years. May you find your new position challenging, rewarding, fun, and spiritually fulfilling. I spoke briefly encouraging the congregation presidents to take advantage of the presidential conversations that would be occurring on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, plus a workshop the BOT Anti-racism/Anti-oppression/Multi-culturalism (AROM) Team to be offered Thursday a.m. After the In-gathering the congregation presidents and BOT attended a reception given by Rev. Sinkford and Moderator Courter. The Opening Ceremony included a wonderful jazz band, the Jazz Edge Orchestra of St. Louis, entertained us as a prelude and then during the banner parade. When the Banner Parade ended, Dr. Linda Friedman, chair of the GA Planning Committee, explained that, contrary to custom, there would be no greetings from local Native Americans at this General Assembly. The invited Native Americans declined our UUA invitation saying in part, "Why should we drive four hours to come to St. Louis to speak to your Assembly for two minutes so you all can feel better about yourselves??...an accurate ?telling? message to all of us. We were reminded by Pres. Sinkford and Moderator Courter about practicing right relations in our beloved community, among ourselves, and throughout GA. There was so much more. Check out the website.
Bright and early Thursday a.m. the BOT AROM Team (the group I convene) conducted a workshop about leading in congregations using an AROM lens. We enacted a mock congregation board meeting with an observer and then ?dissected? the meeting, with responses from the attendees. I will be sending to those folks who requested (via the Internet) materials and information within the next few weeks. On Thursday, Friday and Saturday afternoons I was involved in conducting/helping with three lightly structured opportunities to meet with congregational leaders. There was time during each of these to talk in small groups sometimes with folks who are in congregations approximately the same size, and at other times in groups organized around important issues as expressed by the congregational leaders. The BOT was/is especially interested in hearing about success stories within congregations. There was time to share with the entire group ideas and concerns of great interest. Another very worthwhile workshop I attended concerned challenging the ?religious right?, conducted by Rev. Bill Sinkford and Rev. Peter Laarman, based on the Beacon Press book, Getting the Message. The two presenters reminded us that the message and values of Christianity do not belong to the ?religious right?. Almost as many people say they are religious liberals as religious conservatives and most, when surveyed, consider themselves moderate. They talked about religious scholars always indicating that bible stories are mythical, and Jesus was a loving, good, merciful man who must be known as a healer, peacemaker, reconciler, and welcoming of all marginalized. Rev. Sinkford stressed that religious conversation must be re-framed and the fundamentalists should not take religious language away from the rest of us.
Plenaries (I attended all of them)
So much more than I can write can be found on the UUA website; my comments will be brief. In addition to many, many reports and awards on Thursday, Rev. Jose Ballaster and the Special Review Commission (established after the Ft. Worth GA) let the assembly know the core issues of inequality/oppression in many areas are not new and similar incidents were reported as far back as 1961. He suggested that congregations must discuss the report and act, so that in fifteen years, people won't say that the same issues still exist. Plenary this year included open discussions. Moderator Courter informed delegates that one of the new parts of Plenary this year would be the opportunity to discuss at least two substantive issues of import to the Association without having a motion on the floor. Both discussions were preceded by facts and information from our UUA Staff and/or persons who are in rapidly growing churches with strong Religious Education programs. The first topic was: what are the common traits of growing congregations? What are the common traits of those congregations with stagnant or declining membership? The second topic was: What do we need to teach?as best we can?to children, youth, and new members? The President?s Award for Volunteer Service was given by Rev. Sinkford to identical twin sisters, Janice Marie Johnson and the Rev. Hope Johnson. The list of their devotion to UUism is legend and Sinkford said, what he values most is "the faithfulness with which they both hold the vision of the beloved community that inspires this community wherever they are present?. The Distinguished Service to Unitarian Universalism Award was presented by Rev. Jose Ballaster to Denny Davidoff and Jerry Davidoff. Rev. Ballaster said of them, ?You hold us to your high standard, requiring of us no less than what you require of yourselves: that the liberal religious vision of truth, justice, and love be incarnated in our deeds and in our lives?. In Rev. Bill Sinkford?s report he indicated he had preached in 30 congregations, traveled to Barcelona, Chad, Taiwan, Israel, and Washington, D.C. (7 times). He also conducted President?s Round Tables and attended district and cluster meetings. Rev. Sinkford said until same-sex marriage is a reality in every state we will publicly oppose all efforts to not allow this to happen. Breakthrough Congregations: UU Church of Annapolis, UU Fellowship of Eastern Slopes (Tamworth, N.H), UU Fellowship of San Luis Obispo, and First Unitarian Society (Madison, Wis).
Consultation on Ministry to and with Youth
Three hundred of our congregations have had conversations focused on youth ministry, yet the youth survey taken as part of this Consultation shows that half of our youth don't consider their congregations to be their spiritual homes. One thousand, three hundred ninety nine youth surveys were analyzed and the average age of the respondents was 15.2 years old. Youth who took the survey identified 3 key areas in which youth ministry could be improved: 1) meeting the spiritual needs of youth, 2) providing leadership development opportunities, and 3) making youth ministry more of a priority. On all levels of youth ministry and across all ages and identities, youth report that their spiritual needs are not being met. Of significant interest is that only about half of the respondents believe that adults (other than advisors. Sixty-one percent of high school youth and 65% of older youth believe junior high youth should have separate programs. RE directors/teachers, ministers) or their congregation?s board members support youth ministry. Of the 10 Florida congregations committed to having an intergenerational congregational conversation about their youth ministry only one had done so as of mid-June and reported to the Consultation. If your congregation is one committed to our youth and youth ministry I suggest you take part this exciting and worthwhile opportunity.
Sunday Worship with Rev. Gail Geisenhainer
This was my personal pinnacle of GA, the Sunday morning service sermon delivered by Rev. Gail Geisenhainer, UU Fellowship of Vero Beach. Rev. Geisenhainer?s sermon was titled "We Who Believe in Freedom Cannot Rest?, quite simply one of the best sermons I have ever heard preached at a General Assembly (I?ve been to many). She told the story of being invited by a friend to a UU church in Maine, being totally reluctant and steeped in ?attitude?. She ultimately ?stayed?, even though words of discrimination and oppression were spoken during a service by a member of the church. As she tried to unobtrusively leave the church a member said as both a question and statement, ?See you next week?. Her message to us embodied covenanting to walk together through all that life brings, which means when things get ugly, we don't walk away. To Rev. Geisenhainer the words in the song "Ella's Song", focus her mind, motivate her heart, and direct her hands: "Until the killing of black men, black mother's sons, is as important as the killing of white men, white mother's sons, We who believe in Freedom cannot rest". As she closed her message to us she said, ?We are here to practice this faith, with all its rigorous demands. We are here to build this faith, expanding its broad possibilities. We are here to celebrate living. We are here to make life better?.
GA Service Project, Lift for Life
Each year in the city of our GA a service project is selected for attendee giving. This year?s selection was an after-school program for inner-city youth, whose mission is to provide positive alternatives through social, athletic, and educational programs. At times during Plenaries delegates were treated to ?exercise? breaks by some of these youth. This year the amount raised at the time of reporting was $31,886.00.
The End Is Near
I thought I could keep this report to four pages?alas, it?s five. Here it comes! Imagine how you could serve your Association. The Nominating Committee is seeking candidates who offer a balance of skills, life experiences, cultural competencies, abilities, and geographic representation for the Committees, Commissions, and Positions elected by GA delegates. If you are interested PLEASE contact me or go on-line for an application. The Nominating Committee has a two-year cycle and would be delighted to receive your application for the 2007 election. The deadline is August 15th of this year.
That?s all from me, folks. Thanks for your indulgence of my personal GA observations.
Joan Lund
June, 2006, General Assembly, St. Louis, Missouri
We came, we saw, we learned, we worked, we worshipped, and we played. Now General Assembly (GA), 2006 is history, a fine one at that. My husband, Gene, and I arrived at GA Tuesday a.m. in time for me to attend the first of two Board of Trustees (BOT) meetings held at GA. This year GA occurred from Wednesday through Sunday night. The BOT also meets the morning following the night of the Closing Ceremony. Gene and I stayed another day to spend time with some of our family. While at GA I re-united with many UU friends and acquaintances and was infused with UU spirit and love. Next year I hope to be with many of YOU in Portland, Oregon. This Trustee report will consist mostly of my personal observations and brief summaries on specific activities of particular interest to me during GA because the BOT does not generally ?conduct? business during this time.
I hope all of our Florida congregational presidents at GA attended the Friday afternoon workshop. In order to be partially reimbursed (75%) for GA registration presidents need to submit the form distributed at that event. According to our District Office 112 Florida UUs registered for GA, including 14 incoming or current presidents. As you know most of the significant GA happenings can be found at www.uua.org. It is a site I often frequent for news and information. A memorable event for me was the Ware lecture, poetry reading, by Pulitzer Prize winner Mary Oliver, who read her poetry with the grace and warmth only the writer can do. My favorites were the ones about her mischievous little dog, Perry. I urge you to visit the website and find what interests you. If you have questions or comments please let me know at jlund@uua.org.
UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST UNIVERSITY
This first-time endeavor was a huge hit according to everyone with whom I talked (a bunch of folks). In fact it was so well received that attendees clamored for UU University, attended by over 400 UUs this year, to be offered next year, even though it has been scheduled as an every-other-year event. I was able to attend the keynote speech on Tuesday evening, delivered by Peter Steinke who based his message on the reality that all systems tend to keep what is familiar in place, which is why it is difficult to make change. After explaining some new research on right/left brain theory Steinke explained that in an emotional system, "you function better if you can handle anxiety?, and went on to talk about how this affects the emotions of a congregation. The second part of UU University, opened by Moderator Gini Courter occurred on Wednesday a.m. and I attended ?Closing the Revolving Door? a section offered by Rev. Peter Morales and Dea Brayden, both from the Jefferson Unitarian Church (JUC) in Golden, Colorado. JUC has seen a membership growth of 140 in two years. They stressed the key to growth is to intentionally invite new members to contribute in meaningful ways that match their personal gifts. Members stay when they develop personal connections and feel valued. I suggest you go to the UUA website for all the UU University ?happenings?, and plan to be there next year if/when this valuable experience is offered again.UUA BOARD OF TRUSTEES INFORMATION
President Rev. Bill Sinkford
Rev. Sinkford reported UU growth to be a BOT and Association priority. UUA growth was slightly over 1% last year and according to some data RE growth has dropped but in other data it is reported to be up 12%. He strongly stressed our need to improve the quality of our data research. There is a UUA Monitoring Team in place for the Devon, Pa. church start-up, as suggested from Pathways recommendations. Plans for Devon are proceeding as expected and more data will be forthcoming. The possibility of a Meadville Lombard/Starr King consolidation is proceeding. Negotiating will start in the fall, if the consolidation is to become a reality. One of the new capital campaign targets will be theological education. Rev. Sinkford reported on the Youth Ministry Consultation; more about that will appear later in this document. Also I will highlight later in the report some of Rev. Sinkford?s message to the Plenary.
Finance Committee- Lyn Conley and Dan Brody, UUA Financial Advisor
At the Tuesday BOT meeting Lyn reported a $100,000 loss in Friends of the UUA Income. However the Friends telephone solicitation did bring 6,000 new UU Friend donors. Lyn indicated Pathways will not be an expense in the 2007 fiscal year. The 2008 UUA budget was presented and received by the BOT. The bylaws require having this budget in place before GA. Dan talked about Community Investing and the importance of helping our congregations invest in places consistent with our values. As of GA 303 UUA employees have responded positively to the proposed UUA health plan. As has been stated in all the information to congregations, there must be 500 employees willing to sign on to the plan in order for it to become a reality. For questions that cannot be answered in the literature sent to every congregation or at the UUA website contact Rev. Ralph Mero (rmero@uua.org). The BOT will vote on finalization of the health plan at the October, 2006 meeting. We also heard from Barb Brown, member of the ?Congregations Come First? Initiative Committee, a team assembled by Moderator Gini Courter to find ways to remove organizational obstacle to congregational health and vitality. Look for the Trustee Tidbits August, 2006 column in which the topic will be/is this important initiative.
On Monday after GA the BOT spent much time talking about the successes and areas that need improvement in upcoming GAs. There is always conversation about growth and how our UUA goes about making decisions and carrying out plans. It was emphasized that there are currently 11 growth experiments underway in our Association. The BOT continued its discussion on the new guidelines regarding Independent Affiliates (IA). Much information has been disseminated to IAs and we are confident that the groups will work through this process. District UUA Trustees will be getting in contact with their respective Youth Council Representatives to initiate conversation and relationship between us. I look forward to talking with . The BOT and Department of Ministry continue to be concerned about the lack of tasteful behavior exhibited by a few of the congregants who feel the need to applaud or react in an inappropriate manner during the Service of the Living Tradition.
Last, but far from least, Bertha Perez, Treasure Coast UU Church, was approved as the new Florida District Annual Program Fund (APF) chair. A heartfelt thanks to her from our District and me.
GA HAPPENINGS
Receptions, Workshops, Etc.After the exhilarating UU University activities, late afternoon on Wednesday we attended our Florida District In-gathering, at which Steve Helle, our District President eloquently spoke our fond farewells to Mary Higgins, District Executive (DE), who is leaving for the northeast. Mary expressed her gratitude to the Florida District UUs, and various folks who have taken on leadership roles while she has been among us. Farewell, Mary. The Florida District has been fortunate beyond words to work with you as our DE. for 10 years. May you find your new position challenging, rewarding, fun, and spiritually fulfilling. I spoke briefly encouraging the congregation presidents to take advantage of the presidential conversations that would be occurring on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, plus a workshop the BOT Anti-racism/Anti-oppression/Multi-culturalism (AROM) Team to be offered Thursday a.m. After the In-gathering the congregation presidents and BOT attended a reception given by Rev. Sinkford and Moderator Courter. The Opening Ceremony included a wonderful jazz band, the Jazz Edge Orchestra of St. Louis, entertained us as a prelude and then during the banner parade. When the Banner Parade ended, Dr. Linda Friedman, chair of the GA Planning Committee, explained that, contrary to custom, there would be no greetings from local Native Americans at this General Assembly. The invited Native Americans declined our UUA invitation saying in part, "Why should we drive four hours to come to St. Louis to speak to your Assembly for two minutes so you all can feel better about yourselves??...an accurate ?telling? message to all of us. We were reminded by Pres. Sinkford and Moderator Courter about practicing right relations in our beloved community, among ourselves, and throughout GA. There was so much more. Check out the website.
Bright and early Thursday a.m. the BOT AROM Team (the group I convene) conducted a workshop about leading in congregations using an AROM lens. We enacted a mock congregation board meeting with an observer and then ?dissected? the meeting, with responses from the attendees. I will be sending to those folks who requested (via the Internet) materials and information within the next few weeks. On Thursday, Friday and Saturday afternoons I was involved in conducting/helping with three lightly structured opportunities to meet with congregational leaders. There was time during each of these to talk in small groups sometimes with folks who are in congregations approximately the same size, and at other times in groups organized around important issues as expressed by the congregational leaders. The BOT was/is especially interested in hearing about success stories within congregations. There was time to share with the entire group ideas and concerns of great interest. Another very worthwhile workshop I attended concerned challenging the ?religious right?, conducted by Rev. Bill Sinkford and Rev. Peter Laarman, based on the Beacon Press book, Getting the Message. The two presenters reminded us that the message and values of Christianity do not belong to the ?religious right?. Almost as many people say they are religious liberals as religious conservatives and most, when surveyed, consider themselves moderate. They talked about religious scholars always indicating that bible stories are mythical, and Jesus was a loving, good, merciful man who must be known as a healer, peacemaker, reconciler, and welcoming of all marginalized. Rev. Sinkford stressed that religious conversation must be re-framed and the fundamentalists should not take religious language away from the rest of us.
Plenaries (I attended all of them)
So much more than I can write can be found on the UUA website; my comments will be brief. In addition to many, many reports and awards on Thursday, Rev. Jose Ballaster and the Special Review Commission (established after the Ft. Worth GA) let the assembly know the core issues of inequality/oppression in many areas are not new and similar incidents were reported as far back as 1961. He suggested that congregations must discuss the report and act, so that in fifteen years, people won't say that the same issues still exist. Plenary this year included open discussions. Moderator Courter informed delegates that one of the new parts of Plenary this year would be the opportunity to discuss at least two substantive issues of import to the Association without having a motion on the floor. Both discussions were preceded by facts and information from our UUA Staff and/or persons who are in rapidly growing churches with strong Religious Education programs. The first topic was: what are the common traits of growing congregations? What are the common traits of those congregations with stagnant or declining membership? The second topic was: What do we need to teach?as best we can?to children, youth, and new members? The President?s Award for Volunteer Service was given by Rev. Sinkford to identical twin sisters, Janice Marie Johnson and the Rev. Hope Johnson. The list of their devotion to UUism is legend and Sinkford said, what he values most is "the faithfulness with which they both hold the vision of the beloved community that inspires this community wherever they are present?. The Distinguished Service to Unitarian Universalism Award was presented by Rev. Jose Ballaster to Denny Davidoff and Jerry Davidoff. Rev. Ballaster said of them, ?You hold us to your high standard, requiring of us no less than what you require of yourselves: that the liberal religious vision of truth, justice, and love be incarnated in our deeds and in our lives?. In Rev. Bill Sinkford?s report he indicated he had preached in 30 congregations, traveled to Barcelona, Chad, Taiwan, Israel, and Washington, D.C. (7 times). He also conducted President?s Round Tables and attended district and cluster meetings. Rev. Sinkford said until same-sex marriage is a reality in every state we will publicly oppose all efforts to not allow this to happen. Breakthrough Congregations: UU Church of Annapolis, UU Fellowship of Eastern Slopes (Tamworth, N.H), UU Fellowship of San Luis Obispo, and First Unitarian Society (Madison, Wis).
Consultation on Ministry to and with Youth
Three hundred of our congregations have had conversations focused on youth ministry, yet the youth survey taken as part of this Consultation shows that half of our youth don't consider their congregations to be their spiritual homes. One thousand, three hundred ninety nine youth surveys were analyzed and the average age of the respondents was 15.2 years old. Youth who took the survey identified 3 key areas in which youth ministry could be improved: 1) meeting the spiritual needs of youth, 2) providing leadership development opportunities, and 3) making youth ministry more of a priority. On all levels of youth ministry and across all ages and identities, youth report that their spiritual needs are not being met. Of significant interest is that only about half of the respondents believe that adults (other than advisors. Sixty-one percent of high school youth and 65% of older youth believe junior high youth should have separate programs. RE directors/teachers, ministers) or their congregation?s board members support youth ministry. Of the 10 Florida congregations committed to having an intergenerational congregational conversation about their youth ministry only one had done so as of mid-June and reported to the Consultation. If your congregation is one committed to our youth and youth ministry I suggest you take part this exciting and worthwhile opportunity.
Sunday Worship with Rev. Gail Geisenhainer
This was my personal pinnacle of GA, the Sunday morning service sermon delivered by Rev. Gail Geisenhainer, UU Fellowship of Vero Beach. Rev. Geisenhainer?s sermon was titled "We Who Believe in Freedom Cannot Rest?, quite simply one of the best sermons I have ever heard preached at a General Assembly (I?ve been to many). She told the story of being invited by a friend to a UU church in Maine, being totally reluctant and steeped in ?attitude?. She ultimately ?stayed?, even though words of discrimination and oppression were spoken during a service by a member of the church. As she tried to unobtrusively leave the church a member said as both a question and statement, ?See you next week?. Her message to us embodied covenanting to walk together through all that life brings, which means when things get ugly, we don't walk away. To Rev. Geisenhainer the words in the song "Ella's Song", focus her mind, motivate her heart, and direct her hands: "Until the killing of black men, black mother's sons, is as important as the killing of white men, white mother's sons, We who believe in Freedom cannot rest". As she closed her message to us she said, ?We are here to practice this faith, with all its rigorous demands. We are here to build this faith, expanding its broad possibilities. We are here to celebrate living. We are here to make life better?.
GA Service Project, Lift for Life
Each year in the city of our GA a service project is selected for attendee giving. This year?s selection was an after-school program for inner-city youth, whose mission is to provide positive alternatives through social, athletic, and educational programs. At times during Plenaries delegates were treated to ?exercise? breaks by some of these youth. This year the amount raised at the time of reporting was $31,886.00.
The End Is Near
I thought I could keep this report to four pages?alas, it?s five. Here it comes! Imagine how you could serve your Association. The Nominating Committee is seeking candidates who offer a balance of skills, life experiences, cultural competencies, abilities, and geographic representation for the Committees, Commissions, and Positions elected by GA delegates. If you are interested PLEASE contact me or go on-line for an application. The Nominating Committee has a two-year cycle and would be delighted to receive your application for the 2007 election. The deadline is August 15th of this year.
That?s all from me, folks. Thanks for your indulgence of my personal GA observations.
