As I come to the end of my years as President, I can think of no better message to write than to express appreciation to some particular NAVVF members who have contributed so much to the work of our organization. Had it not been for these relatively few, we would not be functioning at the level we are.

The success in three major areas of work is necessary for an organization to succeed and they have been my major interest during the past three years. They are membership, management and money. Sound familiar? Members we must have, management directs achieving goals and purpose, money supports the work to achieve the first two. And it is in these areas that the generous involvement of the following members has been so concentrated.

FLORENCE DAVIS has spent many hours and considerable energy researching, recruiting, investigating, writing, telephoning, e-mailing, mailing and more to keep our membership stable and hopefully growing. When current members lag in dues, she has been in touch; when sources of new members needed to be found and prospective members contacted, she did it. Thank you, Florence.

HOLLY VAN VALKENBURGH took over as editor of the News Notes in 1991. After the sudden and unexpected death of Lee Van Valkenburgh, 3 years ago, she also took over the publishing. And what a job she has done! It takes many hours of work to put it together and prepare it for mailing. We are so fortunate to have her in this position. She has been faithfully assisted by Pat Mersereau, who proofreads each issue. Holly has put the newsletters on a CD-ROM and the Greene County Historical Society also has a copy. Thank you, Holly.

RICK VAN VALKENBURGH is a real hero to NAVVF. When Robert Van Valkenburgh had to resign as membership coordinator, Rick came to the rescue with all his fast computer skills and worked magic to convert our membership files to a new system. This affects every mailing we do with timing and labels. Talk about time and effort. Rick truly deserves special recognition for this contribution. Thank you, Rick.

DALTON VAN VALKENBURGH is a special angel to NAVVF. For the past three years he has assumed responsibility for our financial stewardship. He has carefully and thoroughly brought all our records up to date, made detailed and on time reports, managed the budget, accounted for membership dues and given sound advice. We are so fortunate to have him as our money manager and we want to keep him (see enclosed by-laws proposal). Thank you, Dalton.

SANDRA VAN VALKENBURGH is our outstanding genealogist. The deaths of Jean Van Valkenburgh and Peg Sica were not only personal losses but left a void in the genealogical information available to us because of their knowledge and research in that area. Sandra, too, has been researching Van Valkenburgh family information most of her life. As the appointed

genealogist, she has already provided us with

fascinating presentations at our annual reunions,

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(President's letter, continued)

which we trust she will continue to do. Additionally, she is a constant resource to those who wish to seek her help in tracing personal family history. Thank you, Sandy.

MARMA VAN VALKENBURGH has for years prepared the rationale and wording for any proposed by-laws change. Her legal experience has made her an invaluable resource in this area. She is also responsible for insuring that our ballots and voting procedures are proper and legal. These are tasks which must be done according to our by-laws, and she has assumed this important work for a number of years. She is the NAVVF Historian and has also worked in detail on the reunion chairman's manual. Thank you, Marma.

JEAN MERSEREAU has done a terrific job as our reunion site-selection chairman and also as a resource to those serving as reunion chairmen. At her own expense she has made visits to reunion locations, met with hotel staff, and in an expensive market has tried to find hotels that are reasonable in cost to our members. Jean is the liaison between the NAVVF and the Greene County Historical Society, our official depository for NAVVF materials. Jean has also been serving as the nominating chairman to find members who are willing to serve as directors for three years with a commitment to attend three annual reunions and serve as chair of a committee. No small task! Thank you, Jean.

BARBARA HOLMES has for years been serving as our ways and means chairman, particularly in handling the details of our product sales. As you know we have a variety of sale articles with the VV emblem and Barbara sets up shop at the annual reunion to make them available for on-site purchase. She also monitors the by-mail purchases. Thank you, Barbara (Rusty, too).

ANN ZOWADA is vice-president and sends cards and notes on behalf of NAVVF to members when we learn of events in their lives to be noted. She also is on call for almost any job that needs doing, attends every reunion and has been active for many years. DORIS BEFF has been a most dependable secretary for the past two years. The minutes are accurate, prepared promptly and she

is always present. ROBERT VAN VALKENBURGH of Florida contributes as a key player in the membership picture as he mails out the membership cards. Thank you all.

Then there are the reunion chairmen. It has been my good fortune to have worked with terrific chairmen. HOLLY in Reno in 1998, KARL VAN VALKENBURGH in 1999 in Hartford and GLENNA MARTIN who is chairman of our upcoming meeting in Indianapolis. At each there has been good programs, great sightseeing and entertainment, too much food, fun together, and good accommodations. What more could we ask? Thank you Holly, Karl, Glenna and your assistants.

During the past three years, three other persons previously served as Directors - Mary VV McNamara, as an excellent secretary, BILL MARTIN in publicity and CURTIS VAN VALKENBURGH in publications. To each: my thanks.

I have intentionally used this space in News Notes for the purpose of recognizing and thanking these members because most of our members do not attend the reunions. It is important that everyone be aware of the gifts of time and talent that keep the NAVVF in existence. It is my hope and wish that they and others continue the good work in the good cause of keeping alive the heritage and tradition of one American family.

Mary E. Van Valkenburgh,
President, NAVVF