This Special Edition of the Chapter 30 Newsletter was written by outgoing Region 15 Governor, Timothy A. Griffith, ASA.

Dear Region 15 ASA Members:

It has been my privilege to serve you as Regional Governor for the past two years. The bar was truly set very high by my predecessor, Paul D. Roberts, ASA. The last two years were critical for our organization in addressing two major issues -- a change in the governance structure, and a need to stem the tide of financial losses.

I am happy to inform you that the Board of Governors addressed the financial matter, reversing the trend, and producing consecutive annual profits. The governance change was a divisive issue that only passed after the work of a Strategic Task Force, membership surveys, and an emergency meeting by the Board of Governors in Chicago. This change is just now being implemented and I truly hope it turns out to be a "better mousetrap." Going forward, the two issues may be interrelated. Although the Board of Governors cut expenses, the ongoing drop in membership, and thus revenues, could quickly lead us back to financial instability.

I have noted two important challenges locally -- a lack of volunteers to fill the officer positions at the chapters, and sparse attendance at chapter meetings. I have always thought that the chapters were great breeding grounds for new members and ASA leadership. I have seen firsthand what can be done at the chapter level when good people volunteer to serve. This year the March meeting at the Northern New Jersey Chapter was a sellout!

I want to thank the state directors, chapter presidents, officers, and board members who served with me over the last two years. At some chapters, the officers are literally keeping the chapter together by agreeing to stay on to serve additional terms. In particular, I wish to thank Paul Roberts, ASA, Kal Barrow, ASA, John H. Marcus, ASA, Ellen J. Epstein, ASA William A. Quackenbush, ASA Alan Conrad Aimone, ASA Robert J. Connelly, ASA James F. Tonkinson, IV, ASA, Kenneth J. Weinbrecht, ASA, Ronald M. Gold, ASA, Charles T. Rosoff, ASA, and Joseph Eckl, ASA.

Please read the attached Governor's Report carefully. It was prepared by Roger P. Durkin, ASA of Boston, who kindly agreed to share his thought provoking analysis.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve you, and I wish for the best success of our new Region One.

Sincerely,
Timothy A. Griffith, ASA
Governor Region 15

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