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July - December 1999 Volume 20 Number 3/4
Letter from the
Chair
Carolyn
Olson
It was great seeing many of you at our annual meeting. Many thanks to Chris Beahler and Sarah Safranek, this year's meeting organizers. Taking over the conference on short notice without a conference hotel is not an easy task, and Sarah and Chris did a great job.
Two main issues were the topic of board and membership discussion this year. One is PNC finance and the other is membership participation. PNC is large geographically and small in membership, a combination that challenges us financially - we have less revenue from dues and meetings and higher expenses due to higher travel costs.
The finances of our organization have changed. In past years we made a substantial profit on meetings - this is no longer the case. Our cash reserves have dwindled over the past few years, not through mismanagement, but from lower revenue and somewhat higher expenses. Our expenses were based on revenue of a few thousand a year from meetings. If a meeting merely broke even, the effect on our treasury was not neutral - it was a negative few thousand a year. It only takes a few years of a trend like that to consume years of reserves.
The dues increase approved by members this year helps but does not totally correct the situation. It is a complex problem, one that other organizations also face, and one that requires continued attention. We need to have better systems in place to monitor and control expenses and to take a fresh look at the cost/benefit of our activities. The board is seeking input from members on the value of PNC activities and looking for suggestions on how best to manage this situation.
The same geographic issue challenges us for membership participation - fewer members who are geographically distanced. There is a demographic issue as well. We are over represented by baby boomers, with little turnover in membership. Both issues can lead to a "participation deficit". We need to evaluate our activities to make sure they are the best use of our members' time and give members in leadership roles as much support as possible to avoid "leadership burnout". Please take a minute to look over the committee participation part of your membership renewal form and check the area that interests you.
As the year ends, I would like to thank this year's board members - they are a wonderful group. Participation and board membership are a great way to get to know and work with members from all over our region. I highly recommend it and I hope the rest of you will take the opportunity to be part of that process.
Wishing you all a joyous holiday and a spectacular New Year,
Carolyn Olson
From the Editor
Well, I suppose it was bound to happen. This will be a combined issue. I could list excuses, but in the end it's the past and I'm much more interested in looking to the future. We're entering a new millennium and next year is already looking very exciting to me. We have the change to meet in Vancouver in May and then I hope to see all of you in Alaska next September. As always, my thanks go to all who have participated in making this newsletter a success, especially Loretta Andress. This combined issue is making it out the door almost entirely based on her efforts to compile the bits and pieces that have appeared in our inboxes.
Best wishes for a peaceful, happy holiday and a healthy, enlightening, and fantastic New Year,
kathy murray