by Joe Attwood, A.A.E.
April, 1997
A huge thank you to all of the Board members and conference committee leaders who took the time to travel to Salt Lake City for our Winter Board Meeting. I was truly surprised, and obviously very pleased to see everyone there. A list of attendees looks very much like a "Who's Who" list of our Chapter . . . very gratifying indeed!
Please do whatever planning is necessary to ensure that everyone possible in your organization can attend both of the Chapter's upcoming meetings. You just would not believe the efforts being made in the attendee's behalf, but I can assure you that both conferences will establish a new high water mark for content, location and enjoyment. You simply must not miss the hospitality and grace of British Columbia nor the beauty of Oregon. I feel very fortunate, indeed, to preside this year.
I attended this year's Annual Chapter President's Meeting with AAAE staff and Executive Committee. If you are ever in the area, you really owe it to yourself, as a professional member, to arrange a visit to AAAE. It is one of the most revealing and rewarding experiences in the D.C. area. Honestly, it is just amazing to see how little space and so few people do so many remarkable things for us, the members.
When one visits AAAE offices it is immediately clear that our trade Association has grown from a $1,000,000 cottage membership association to a $6,000,000 business which is in need of new office space.
Perhaps as notable from the event was my realization too of how committed the Chapters are to the National Office. Some of that awareness is, of course, what describes the purpose of the Chapter's leadership visit. I would recommend that the seated President and the in-coming President attend henceforth. It was a very beneficial session.
You may want to know that since Utah has joined with the NW Chapter, as a border state choice, California is now the next border state for consideration - just kidding folks!
In other news, now that the Northwest Chapter has its own web page, we need to decide what type of information we want to see presented on our web site. Please contact me [Joe Attwood] with your ideas. We appreciate your input!
To all of you who do so much for the well being of the Chapter, I thank you and look forward to our next visit in Minneapolis.