What an exciting time for YOU and for VRA! Every Committee has a designated chair and members, the Board positions are almost complete (a resignation was received recently), AND VRA was represented this year at the Virginia General Assembly by a legislative advocate, Jim Rothrock. YOU have been telling us that legislative advocacy is an important part of what we do and that we need to do more of it! The Board heard YOU and responded to your concerns and interests by taking action. These efforts began last year with a plan to hire a legislative advocate, establish legislative priorities for VRA, conduct a legislative training, etc., YOU will read more about many of these activities throughout this newsletter. As you read about the activities we pursued this year for YOU, please give us some feedback and let us know how we are doing for YOU!

Additionally, YOU talked about other association concerns at the membership forum conducted at the Collaborations “98 Workshop, that we are beginning to address.

VRA Board of Directors and Committee Chairs (old and new) convened a Retreat on Friday, January 8th and Saturday, January 9th, 1999, in Richmond (snowy as it was) as well as the NRA Executive Director, Michelle Vaughan. We reviewed the goals, activities and accomplishments of 1998 and set goals and some of the activities for 1999. In addition to the established Committee goals, the Board established some priority goals for 1999 as follows:

• to conduct regional training in addition to the annual training

• to retain current membership

• to raise $5,000 to support association activities by conducting two (2) fund raisers in addition to the annual workshops’ silent auction, to be held at different times during the year

• to hold a Legislative Day annually in preparation for the Virginia General Assembly Session

VRA is again joining the VA APSE and vaACCSES to convene the ’99 Collaborations Workshop that is being held this year at Ft. Magruder, Williamsburg, August 15-18, 1999. Mark your calendars NOW. VRA is also planning to conduct regionally based training throughout the year.

Membership retention, at a minimum, is essential. Growth is a goal. Each Board member has committed to inviting at least one person to join as a new member. How about YOU!

Fund raising is essential to support the level of activities of interest and importance to YOU, the membership. We are always looking for new fund raisers that work in your area. How can YOU help and support these activities?

Legislative Day, see more detail throughout the newsletter. What more might YOU be interested in doing?

Please contact the individual committee chair for specific committee goals. Additionally, please let us know how YOU can and want to help with any association activities. Contact me at 804 662-9968 weekdays, 804 965-0514 evenings or weekends, or send email: mkaye1@erols.com, or c/o VRA, PO Box K-166, Richmond, VA 23288, or contact any other member of the Board.