Avanti Magazine Winter/Spring 2003 #121 | Page 4

FROM THE PRESIDENT H appy New Year! I’m honored to be your president. The new board of directors was formed with your votes and you picked a great team. We are moving into the Fast Lane. These guys and gal have already accomplished many things for you this year. We drafted a business plan highlighting our goals and objectives for the next two years. The chapter presidents have received a copy to review and share with c h a p t e r m e m b e r s . We welcome your comments. The final version will be presented to the members at the board meeting this June in Sacramento. ❏ Thanks to Chris Altenburg, Carolyn Crall and Mike Shutko for all their years of service. They have been good stewards of the association and we have grown because of their efforts. The next time you talk with them, please express your heartfelt appreciation. ❏ 2003 Roster: I hope you enjoyed the 2003 Membership Roster. Please review your membership data to make sure it is correct. If you would like to make a change, contact Cornerstone Registration, Ltd at (763) 420-7829 or Email: mark@cornerstonereg.com Enhanced Communications: I have implemented board meeting conference calls on the first Sunday night of every month. This has dramatically improved the teaming among the board members and has provided some quick results. Our secretary, Steve Montgomery, will e-mail the meeting minutes to the board members and chapter presidents following each conference call. For those of you who don’t belong to a chapter yet, the minutes will be published in Avanti Magazine. Any member concerned about issues discussed and voted on during the conference calls can ask for items to be reconsidered at the open board meeting in Sacramento. A O A I T- s h i r t : T h e b o a r d h a s approved the production and distribution of one complimentary A O A I T- s h i r t f o r e a c h p a i d membership starting with February renewals. Life and five-year members will receive their T-shirt request letter shortly and annual members will get their t-shirt shortly after their renewal is processed. For 4 A VA N T I Magazine only $10 each, you can get additional t-shirts for your family and friends. Shipping is paid for by AOAI. See the AOAI membership form for more details. (A new form is reproduced near the back of this issue) Thanks to Carl Doughty of the Florida Chapter for getting the shirts designed and produced. The Arizona Chapter, our newest, is handling the distribution of shirts. Sacramento 2003: I’ve registered for the national meet in June. Have you? Don’t miss out on the opportunity to escape the madness of daily life and enjoy the fellowship of trusting Avanti friends. Steve Montgomery, Meet Chairman, is well organized and ready to ensure you’ll have a great time. I look forward to seeing you there. Judging Guidelines: J i m Pe a r c e h a s worked hard over the past year to revise our Meet Judging Guidelines. These are published in this issue so you can prepare yourself and your Avanti for the meet. Those who judge Avantis this year won’t have to pay the AOAI general meet registration fee. Contact Jim if you are interested. Credit Cards & Online Membership Form: Lew Schucart is setting up our secure www.aoai.org webpage server to accept credit cards and process online membership forms. Take advantage of this convenience. Membership Questionnaire: Keith Phildius spent a considerable amount of time composing the enclosed questionnaire. Please complete the form, enclosed in this issue, and help provide direction for your club. Here is your opportunity. Appointments: Jason Ford is now the Membership Director. He will be collecting the enclosed membership questionnaire. Don Jones and Hugh Edfors are the new chapter coordinators. They are composing a chapter starter kit and an AOAI prospecting brochure to compliment the postcards. Read the board meeting minutes to learn about additional ways we are helping membership and chapters grow. Committees: I have appointed the following board members to chair these committees. They have formed their committee as shown below. If you have suggestions or See BAKER, Page 7 Winter/Spring 2003 Issue 121