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President's Message – November/December 2004 In this my first President’s message I’d like to express my sincere appreciation to all those members who voted and supported me in this past election. It was a pleasure to hear all the good wishes and encouragement from such a large number of BHCA members, and I pledge to do my best to live up to your expectations and work to safeguard your trust. For those who voted for my opponent, I’d like to reach out and open the doors for closer communication to gain your confidence. Mike Sosne and I met twice during the Nationals and after the election and we spoke of his concerns with membership continuity and he pledged his support. I consider Mike a gentleman and look forward to his input. The 2004 Nationals is complete; most of us left Portland looking over our shoulders at Mt. St. Helen’s and grateful to be on our way home without delay. After such an invigorating week of experiencing the total Basset Hound, we’re faced with a period of “coming down”. Memories are still fresh in our minds and those who worked so hard to make this event a success need to be recognized and applauded. Melody Fair, Nationals Coordinator; Bill Russell, Show Chairman; Holly Farthing Pierog, Hospitality Chairman; Jim Chester, Nationals Treasurer and the numerous list of volunteers, too extensive to name individually, did an excellent job arranging and delegating the many responsibilities of this years Nationals. The Board and all of our membership offer our sincere appreciation for a job well done and congratulations to all the winners who I’m sure will treasurer this Nationals as will the rest of us. Next stop…2005 Eureka, Missouri. It’s almost like coming home. The Missouri “gang” is just as enthusiastic as they were in 2000 through 2002 when they met the challenge of consecutive BHCA Nationals. Many of us enjoy the adventure of travel, holding the Nationals in new places and sites but when we return to Eureka it will be reminiscent of a family reunion, a known entity. Our membership should feel comfortable knowing that plans are progressing smoothly for 2005 under the leadership of Nationals Coordinator Beverly Barringer-Ruggeri and that they and their hounds are in good hands. The host hotel now flies the Holiday Inn flag has made several thousands of dollars in improvements since the last time we were there. And then where?? I’d like to encourage you, our members, to submit bids for subsequent years and I’ll keep you apprised of our progress. It would be advantageous to have National bids accepted several years in advance – Gettysburg? Texas? Coraopolis? Sacramento? We have a large reservoir of talent and broad spectrum of enthusiastic groups from which to draw. The BHCA is obligated and will always hold a Nationals but we need your bids. I will continue keeping you apprised of key activities taking place and committee progress through these President’s messages. We have already begun the process of selecting committee chairs for the coming year and they will be announced in the Tally Ho and posted on the website. I would encourage any member who has an interest in a committee to contact that chair and make your interests known. I’m pleased to tell you that some of this communication is already taking place. This leads me to some final thoughts about the BHCA and its new Board regarding compatibility. After serving four years under two distinctively different Boards, and my past Board life in the late 80’s, I now have the privilege of working with still another. Bill Nolan, Ellen Ferguson and Bob Opeka have been added to our management team and we welcome them. Their skills and talents blend well with the present Board and I can sense new synergy and optimism. Good chemistry and a sincere desire to operate as a group were obvious at our first meeting. We won’t be in agreement on every issue, but what’s important is we’ll be listening to each other’s views while working in an environment of mutual respect and trust. BHCA will grow to be a stronger and better organization as a result. Lastly, I’d like to honor those BHCA members we’ve lost during the past year - Ellen Crofford, Robert Livingston, Ruth Turner, Pam Gingrich, Margaret Cooper, Ruth Binder-Gresly, Linda Beam, Allison Fletcher North, John A. Miller, Pamela Sue Wagerly, Sheela Cunningham. Know that they are greatly missed and held in high regard by the Basset Hound Club of America. They can never be forgotten when we continue to cherish their memory and tell their stories. Best regards and travel safe, Thad Makowski, President
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