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From the President

Office of Prez Paez:

Hope everyone that attended the 26th AEC had a rewarding experience, I certainly did.  I thought the atmosphere was wonderful, the weather cooperated and the program was superb.  Kudos’s to the planning committee especially the chair Nancy Atwood. There were nearly 200 sanitarians in attendance and certainly more with guests and speakers. We tried something new this year and presented awards to outstanding members during Thursdays Luncheon. The format for the ceremony was well received.  As usual, Pat Donavan did a wonderful job of hosting the ceremony. Award/Recognition recipients were:

Robert Paulus: Past Presidents Award
Gene Paez: LaRue L. Miller Life Achievement Award
Janet Phelps: Samuel M.  Stevenson Sanitarian of the Year Award
Adeline Hambley: David H. MacMullen Young Professional Award
Alfredi Guardiola: Distinguished Service Award
Lake Superior State University: Distinguished Service Award- Non-Member
Ken Priest, Lynn Madison: Outgoing Board Member Recognition
Bruce Gruner: Thomas Olson, Emeritus Award
Paul Hauck, CMU: Scholarship Award
Nancy Atwood, Holly Gohlke, Jane Phelps: Conference Chair Recognition

Congrats to all, for a job not only well done, but for stepping to the plate and going the extra mile.

Following the General Business Meeting (business meeting minutes will be posted), we held our first BOARD meeting with old and new board members in attendance. New to the board this year will be Chris Klawuhn, member at large and Scott Barr UP representative. We thank Ken Priest and Lynne Madison for their valuable service to our organization. Fortunately, Lynne will continue helping out, she was elected incoming president elect.  Congrats to Lynne, I know she is welcomed to the board bring much needed experience.
We dispensed our regular business and discussed our goals for the coming year. 
Of major concern will be getting our budget and finances in order. We have formed a finance committee to work the Treasurer John Texter to diligently review current budget and implement recommendations by the Audit committee submitted to the board in February. We will be sharing more information on this topic as the year progresses.
 Next on the priority list will be to make hard decisions on the status of Ground Water and Food Conferences for this coming year.  The Board has already decided not to hold the GW conference and we are currently debating the possibility of eliminating the Fall Food Seminar.  Low attendance, increased costs, and a short time for planning play into that decision.  We are leaning toward one large conference early next year with several tracks to compensate the elimination of one or both of these conferences. Feel free to share your opinions on this matter with Board members. Again we are at the discussion stage, however we must decide soon. 
Lastly, we need to support our licensure efforts and continue to move forward. We have a golden opportunity to obtain licensure but with a short time frame.  Pat Donovan gave a good summary presentation on the progress made by a collaborative effort by MEHA and MALEHA. The board will be making a decision on this matter shortly. Remember this is a lengthy process; we are at the early stages, once it goes to the legislature all verbiage we have agreed to may be changed.  We will still have a chance for input once their version of licensure is proposed.  In the final stages, all members will have a chance to discuss this important piece of legislation.

In summary, I will try to provide frequent updates on important issues. Minutes of Board meetings will be posted. I will also be attending as many regional meetings as possible to keep members up to date on progress of these issues. Further, we need volunteers again for all committees. If you wish to withdraw from a previous committee assignment let me or Addie know, otherwise the current rosters of committee members will continue. Please remember we are not a clique; anyone that wants to serve will have an opportunity. Fortunately, many of the same members keep volunteering but there is always room for more. I will make sure everyone has a chance. I will be choosing chair persons for the committee’s soon, so make your interest known. We especially need a chair for next year’s AEC.

Yours Environmentally Friendly,

Gene