We missed you! All 85 plus of us who were in Hartford for a delightful family reunion. We hugged and talked, went site-seeing, worked on genealogy, did a little business, ate of course and talked some more. We hope you will join us next year in Indianapolis but more about that later.

Sandra Van Valkenburgh did a wonderful, informative presentation on genealogy and making updated information available.

We want you to know that the Directors voted to establish a Jean Van Valkenburgh Memorial Fund for Genealogical Publications. Contributions now total close to $800 and additional gifts may be made to Dalton Van Valkenburgh, Treasurer.

Other committee reports were made at the annual meeting and two new directors were elected: Ann Zowada who will serve as Vice President and Karl Van Valkenburgh who will be Finance chairman. Other continuing directors are Mary Van Valkenburgh, President; Doris Beff, Secretary; Dalton Van Valkenburg, Treasurer; Florence Davis, Membership chairman; Holly Van Valkenburgh, Publications chairman and editor of News Notes.

During the annual meeting, a special tribute was made to Jean Van Valkenburgh, Flora Van Valkenburgh and Edith Groat, all long time contributing Members of NAVVF who died during the past year.

Also, the Directors have voted to present recognition gifts of six inch, beveled glass discs, beautifully etched with the Van Valkenburgh emblem, to members who in their opinion have made significant contributions to NAVVF. This year previous annual reunion chairmen were recognized for their important contribution to the life of our association: Rose and Russell Van Valken-burgh for Batavia; Bob Van Valkenburgh, for Raleigh; Barbara Spraker for Albany; George Van Valkenburgh and Rachael Teft for Fishkill; Pat and Paul Van Valkenburgh forMinneapolis; Mary Van Valkenburgh, for Atlanta and Decatur; and Karl and Joanna Van Valkenburgh for Hartford. Other former chairmen had been recognized last year.

It seems to me the life of our organization depends on three areas of concentration and if we do reasonably well in each one, we will be healthy. I'm speaking of the three "M's" - membership, money and management.

Management is largely defined by the decision-makers. In a volunteer organization that means officers and directors. The reports of committee chairmen will describe the life and times of NAVVF for 1998-1999 as seen by those of us who are charged with keeping things running. We have a strong Board of Directors and I want to express appreciation to those directors and their committee members for a year of hard work and willing involvement in decisions that had to be made. Each of the directors has been wonderfully conscientious and attentive to responsibilities.

In relation to money, I can be brief because generally speaking, it appears we are in good financial health. Our Treasurer's report clearly shows we are solvent and in a position to remain so in the foreseeable future if we sustain our membership numbers.

Concerning membership, we have a great potential, although we are now below our former membership level. Thanks to cooperative efforts, we are now beginning to track new members and follow up on those who have dropped out.

Linkage is complete between the membership chairman and her committee members, the membership coordinator, the treasurer and the News Notes editor, all of whom are involved in tracking members. With computer connections now in place everyone stays in touch frequently. If we fail to show some real membership growth in the coming year, I will be very surprised. You can help by keeping up your own membership and recruiting family members to join.

So, with our management, money and membership in good shape, we close the l998-99 year with thanks to all who made it so and look forward to greeting the new millennium with high expectations.