AASCIF - oct-nov-dec03 From the AASCIF president

WCB British Columbia hosted an outstanding annual conference last month in Vancouver!

Excellent program content gave us plenty of food for thought and fuel for action. A beautiful setting, terrific events and perfect weather made it especially fun. Warm hospitality and thoughtful hosts made it truly memorable.
On behalf of AASCIF, we extend to them our deepest thanks.

This first-ever joint conference of AWCBC and AASCIF was a strong reminder of our many commonalities. Even our differences are enriching: Who among us does not feel challenged these days to think outside the box? To see familiar issues from a fresh perspective with an open mind? To see the possibilities beyond the impediments?

The AASCIF organization depends entirely on volunteered leadership for its success in serving its members’ needs. With no permanent staff, that’s a challenging order for all of AASCIF’s leaders, including its officers, its committee members, and others who step forward with active participation. Especially in times when there are issues demanding still more of us at home.

That’s why I would like to extend congratulations and appreciation to our returning and newly elected officers: Russ Oliver (TX) as first vice president, and Ken Ross (NY), Dennis Smith (MO), Doug Sexsmith (MB) and Don Smith (AZ) as vice presidents, and my colleague Fran Kaitala as returning Secretary-Treasurer. It’s a good team to guide our organization going forward.

It’s why I’d also like to recognize a couple of long-term AASCIF leaders. Lane Summerhays has retired as AASCIF’s first vice president because of time demands of Utah WCF in reorganization. But, we count on him going forward for the kind of active participant leadership AASCIF needs of all fund members, and for continuing the think-outside-the-box perspective he has always brought to the table.

David Stuewe (NS) is returning to academia at some time in the future—we hope later rather than sooner—and so has also retired as an AASCIF vice president. What a devoted and effective advocate he has been for strengthening the bond among Canadian and U.S. funds and for bringing a range of perspectives into the mix. No one gave more generously of his time, talent and energy for the benefit of us all.

And finally, I’d like to thank our active committee members who contribute richly to the learning experiences of our membership through articles, analysis, advocacy and programming for the professional peer groups that AASCIF networking offers. Have you checked out the seminars they’ve organized for September and October? Have you made plans to attend or encourage a colleague to attend? You should!

Our members are generous with their ideas and support of one another. If you’ve been on the receiving end of that, you know. If you’ve been the one offering it, our thanks go to you too!