August 1 starts the beginning of the new ABWA Year in chapters and networks all across this nation. Since our Lamplighter Chapter meets on the first Wednesday of the month it seems particularly significant that in August this year we will also be meeting on the first day of August to start our 16th year as a chapter.

1996 seems like yesterday in so many ways. We’ve come a very long way, Baby, while stretching and growing, celebrating our successes and working through our challenges. In so doing we have gained strength and through our experiences we learn the stuff of which we are made. Each of our accomplishments has been achieved through working together, through Teamwork…pooling our individual unique talents to make the extraordinary ’whole’ that we give awareness and appreciation to each time we gather.

Our transition meeting on Sunday, July 22nd was wonderfully productive with great input from the members attending, through insightful and carefully considered suggestions for the direction of the chapter for the new year. In reflecting on the strengths we offer as part of our membership, one of those most valuable resources shines in our speakers and the programming they bring to our meetings. We are so blessed with the terrific venue we have discovered in our meeting place with great food at an affordable price in a lovely private room. Let us consider that we have not only the potential to grow our membership but also the room and the tools to make that happen. Implementing these ideas opens the door to sharing our traditions with new members and the community at large. 

The new ABWA slogan from National is: Together we can, Together we will! I add to that the tag line I attach to each of my Symphony letters: Together we make it happen!

I am honored to have the opportunity to serve as your President in this new year.

Thank you

Dorothy Rose