Each quarter, when the President's message is written for the next issue of News Notes, I am challenged to think of some idea worth passing along to you, the members of NAVVF. Since our 700 plus member "family" is so widely scattered and so divergent in interests, age, geography etc. the usual family exchange of comings and goings is hardly possible. Anyway, the News Notes team of dedicated researchers and writers do a wonderful job of giving us stories and information about NAVVF. As each issue arrives, I sit down with a cup of coffee or a coke and read it from cover to cover. We are so fortunate to have this group of reporters for News Notes. (see committee listings for members).

My home is on a large lake, about 30 miles north of Atlanta, just off I-75, on which many of you who are snow birds travel. This morning in October is bright, chilly, windy and beautiful. The sun sparkles on the rippling water and falling yellow hickory leaves are blowing about; my favorite time of year. Our two greyhounds and three cats are snoozing in the sun. Barbara, the person with whom I share my home, is in the yard working on fall gardening projects. And I am sorting through ideas to share with you.

But wherever my thoughts go, they always return to the one subject of greatest interest to me - MEMBERSHIP. We should be growing in our numbers - there are so many VVs out there, most of whom are unaware that we have this opportunity to share our common history. And most of whom are younger and we need their energy and input. Interest in genealogy has never been higher; people are searching for their roots; magazines like TIME are featuring the ways and means of looking into family history. This is the time for us to be most active in attracting new members. Start with your own young family members.

Last month I had occasion to be in upstate New York, the Adirondacks region, and on an impulse, I looked in the telephone book at the motel where I spent the night. I found 13 VVs listed, some probably related. I copied names, addresses and telephone numbers and later sent them to Florence Davis our membership chairman. She will send them a letter and information about us. One person I actually telephoned. She was so happy to hear about NAVVF because of her young children. I hope she will join and maybe even come to Indianapolis. If even one of every twenty VVs join, we will have a nice increase in membership. So, I challenge you as you travel especially, or where you live, to check the phone book, copy the names and addresses and send to Florence. We may be in for a happy surprise.

One other thought. I have just mailed to Dalton my $8.50 "donation" to NAVVF. As a 78 year old, I am not asked to pay membership dues, but I choose to support our organization in this way. If you are in that age category we would be most appreciative if you could contribute the amount of dues. We thank you.

And so, as we close out this issue, we also close out this year and this millennium. What awaits us in the future, we can only imagine. But we live only one day at a time and my wish for you is that each day will bring good health, good friends, work to do, a chance to help someone else, a faith to live by and of course some fun along the way.