Obviously I cannot report on the January State Meeting as it has not been held yet; however I can tell you that I am looking forward to an exciting meeting. Several of the things we had started in September have been addressed and we will hopefully complete.

I am extremely satisfied with the results of the voting by the membership concerning the 501(c)3 which was received in January and that we had enough to validate the results and it did pass. Thank you all for your consideration and your prompt responses. As a result of that we will be taking the necessary steps to complete the action. The Special Committee to update the Constitution and bylaws under the excellent leadership of Joyce Sebree and Su Evans, with Doug Keyes and Ellen Ostrum have work diligently for long hours to complete, will also be brought up during this meeting; which becomes the second part of the requirement to complete the 501(c)3 action. They have been meeting during the holiday season, gathering here at my office to complete the action. This has given me the opportunity to stop in occasionally to peruse. I will tell you it has been a long and hard job. Thanks to all four of you for your professional and competent job in updating the bylaws and standing rules. I would also like to thank Vern Boggs and his committee for their work on the update of the Article concerning the Festival sponsorship by the State Board if it became necessary. Again a lot of work, excellent job; this will be included in the acceptance with the other changes. It is remarkable to be involved with such dedicated people. It seems all of our State Federation meeting attendee’s are likewise dedicated.

Also at the January meeting I will be forced, by the directives, to appoint someone to handle the State Festival for 2014 if no one steps up to sponsor at the meeting. I will let you know the results. I hope you were able to safely join the meeting; it is an important meeting in that the other topic will be a slate of officers for the 2012-2013 board. Fay and I have enjoyed the two years we have and are presently serving and wish the new slate good luck in their endeavor.

Enjoy your new year, see you all at the National Convention and hopefully at Circle 8 for the Seminar – and please remember the State Pageant will be held at the Seminar.