Where has this year gone? It's really been a whirlwind! It seems like only a few months ago when we were in Las Vegas; now we're about to come to another Fall Meeting in Cincinnati. The reality is beginning to sink in that this is my last article I will be writing for The Record as your Speaker. Please allow me to thank you once again for the privilege of serving this august body in such a capacity. I thank you for the confidence you have placed in me, the support you have given me and the patience you have shown me. You have been quite gracious and forgiving! Though this year has been event-filled, challenging and just downright hectic at times, it has ultimately been one of the most enjoyable and rewarding years of my professional career. I have been associated with the House of Delegates for over ten years now and I have never been prouder of the House nor the Association than I am right now. As Bob Hope would say, "Thanks for the memories." No time to relax, though - it's still full speed ahead . . .

We have a lot going right now; here are some updates.

1.) The deliberations between the California Respiratory Care Board and the NBRC continue. The contractual agreement between the two bodies has been extended through December of this year; work is still continuing on many fronts in this regard.

2.) The AARC will be participating in a strategic initiative during September in New York - the American Institute of Life-threatening Illnesses. We will be supporting this effort because it's the right thing to do and we also harbor hopes of developing some key longer-term strategic relationships; it gets us to the table with several players. Additional support is something we can always use, don't you agree?

3.) We finally have some encouraging news related to our membership numbers. For the first time in about three years or so, we have a documented stabilization in our membership numbers. Yeah, it's early but I believe from the bottom of my heart that it cannot help but be related to the efforts being made by the House and Board. People, I put forth to you that we're just getting started! Thanks again for all your help in this very worthy cause. Keep up the great work!

4.) Congratulations once again to the North Carolina Society and their licensure victory. It's been a long and hard-fought battle but will be worth it over the long-term. Once again, proof positive that hard work and perseverance seem to somehow ultimately manage to pay off.

5.) Well, just when we seemed to be having such a feel-good year, controversial internal politics have once again reared their ugly head over the ballot for our election this year. I am honestly grateful that it's not the House throwing stones at the Board or vice-versa this time! I don't think we've ever touted contentment over the fact that we had only one candidate for two positions on our ballot this year. In fact, we have been seeking feedback for months on strategies which might help identify additional candidates for future proceedings. I would encourage each of you to help spread the "rest of the story" as I shared in my earlier missive via the listserv. One reason we have enjoyed the high levels of success that we have this year is related to our focus on the important things rather than on political infightings. Please seize any opportunity you can to help us maintain that focus. Let's avoid becoming tangled in another web. I must salute two of our delegates, Tom Wagner-CA and Norman Kerr-OR for the stands they took in defending the integrity of the process, the House, the Association, et.al., in these proceedings. I encouraged people to stay on the high road and these guys took it to the next level. Thanks to all of you for your efforts on this behalf. Norm, Tom - huge kudos to you!

Well, Cincinnati will be here before you know it. As you know, we are going to once again be working under some very restrictive timelines. As was the case for Vail, appropriate preparation will be the key to our completing the business at hand within a reasonable timeframe. Our level of success will again be directly proportional to your level of preparation prior to our meeting and the length will still be inversely proportional to the same. Your House leadership has been brainstorming for months and we'll be implementing several strategies from a meeting - management standpoint to keep things moving along. The Elections Committee and Resolutions Committee are already making significant adjustments to help us. Review your minutes now and contact your Scrutinizing Committee Chair, Betty Fisher with any changes so that they might be included with recommendations in her Committee report. By the time this issue arrives, you will have received your resolutions for consideration. Please discuss them with your affiliate boards, get their input and share any supplemental information or ask any questions you might have of the authors - get them answered ahead of time! We will also be receiving copies of the AARC 2001 budget before going to our meeting. The AARC Controller, Bob McCarthy has graciously agreed to field budget-related e-mails prior to our presentation during Joint Session so get your questions asked and answered early! Review your agenda materials as soon as you get them, develop a set of questions and send them to the right address to make sure that we have clear and concise information. (Remember, we need to use our agenda binders from the Summer Meeting.) Your preparation for our meeting in Vail made all the difference in getting things done as efficiently as we did. Though we will have even more business in the Fall, a two-day meeting is still quite doable. We will just have two very full days! We will not adjourn until the work is done. We need to take care of anything and everything we can before we convene - please give us your help!

For those of you in the running for House Officer positions, don't forget that once elected, your life is no longer your own throughout the rest of the International Congress. Bring plenty of options for business attire; you'll have a different reception and multiple events to go to every day throughtout the remainder of your stay!

In spite of my best efforts and intent, formal business attire will be required for both days of this meeting. We will be having Joint Session on the first day and the AARC photographer will not be coming to snap us in action until day two.

Please remember the Cultural Diversity workshop on Saturday. It promises once again to be a good way to spend part of your Saturday evening. Janyth and her committee have worked overtime this year to really impact the ways in which we live, think and act every day.

Gwen Valentine and her Orientation Committee once again have a great orientation session slated. If you are new to the House, please remember that your attendance is required prior to your being seated as a Delegate. For you that have been around the block more than once, please help us make sure our new members are properly welcomed and get off on the right foot.

Our Association has been blessed this year. Though we have had a few hiccups here and there, I believe 2000 will be go down as one of the most memorable years in our history. I appreciate the thoughts and prayers which have gone up on our behalf and encourage each of us to keep up those efforts in that regard. Healthcare is a mission and a ministry all to itself. We can and are making a difference in the lives of our patients, coworkers and others around us. Let's be thankful for our accomplishments and seek guidance for our future.

Peace.

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