Collaborations ’98 was a great success! From the pre-conference training to the VRA Members Forum to the closing gavel at the business meeting to the hilarious, yet thought provoking words of Brett Leake, this conference was truly a Collaboration.

My thanks again to everyone who had even a small part of this effort. I was proud to be a VRA member. And speaking of that, please find the survey in this month’s NewsNotes. This is a direct result of the Members Forum held on Oct. 1. Members from around the Commonwealth met and discussed issues that affect VRA. Two strong points that I feel were made by the majority:

1. VRA should be strong in advocacy and partnering with other groups.

2. VRA should hold regional training opportunities throughout the year in addition to the conference.

Thank you to all that attended. This forum was a risk that I took in an effort to gather people together and get involvement in a non-threatening, non-commitment way. I appreciate you for making this risk pay-off.

I hope many of you will be able to attend the NRA Annual Conference in Orlando in November. Look for information about legislative sessions and training with our new advocate, Jim Rothrock.

There is much still going on and I hope everyone will monitor issues and be active in advocacy for our consumers.

The year has gone by so quickly, and I really can’t believe it!! My year is almost complete and I feel like there is so much left to do. I hope you will all provide Mary Kaye, Maureen and the officers and Board for 1999 the same amount of support and encouragement that you have given me this year. I have learned a large amount of things this year, the least of which is that VRA members are dedicated, committed and caring professionals. I am proud to have been given the opportunity to be your President.