ALASFAA: Alaska
by President Carrie Burford

Welcome to Alaska! We hope that you are all planning on attending WASFAA 2000, April 16th-18th. It isn't too late to register! April and May bring an increased amount of daylight, sunny skies, and gradually warming weather to Anchorage. It's the time of year that most Alaskans have come to adore, due to the long, cold winter season we have once again survived.

This is the time of year when we shovel out the old and bring in the new. Not only am I referring to shoveling snow and uncovering green grass, I'm also talking about my stepping down to make room for ALASFAA's new President, Peter Miller from the University of Alaska, Anchorage.

Peter has played an integral and very involved role as President-Elect. He set ALASFAA up with a listserve, has plans to put our directory on-line, and has a number of other innovative ideas too numerous to mention. We are a small association and, because of this, face many challenges. Peter sets a record for consistent volunteerism, as well as having a desire and commitment to do a fine job. He will make ALASFAA an excellent President; we are lucky to have him. He's got a taste for what is in store for him, because I needed him to fill in for me at the last Executive Council meeting in Salishan, Oregon. He's still up for the challenge of taking on the title role.

As for my experience as President -- it's been interesting, both personally and professionally. I'm not sure I'll be up for another such interesting year for a while yet. I do know that this is not a one person organization -- you depend quite heavily on volunteers and the support and advice of those more experienced. I don't have the space to thank everyone in this article, but without those whose help was essential, I wouldn't have made it. Thank you. I will continue to be an active volunteer for my association. We are still children yet, and with the support of our members, have so much room to grow.

See you at WASFAA 2000!!