A B A T E of Washington has been growing and accomplishing. We have made changes and have experienced growth. The more efficient we operate the more we will accomplish.
We are getting closer to operating like one organization with many Chapters.
All committee chairs have been filled and new positions have been created.
Thanks to all of the Chapter Treasurer’s and our State Treasurer for getting in all of the reports in. This allows us complete our annual tax returns.
With our financial reports we see that we have focused on Charity events and not so much on Legislative. It does not mean that we stop or curtail our Charity events; however we need to focus more on the Legislative. I would encourage each Chapter to dedicate at least one fund raiser this coming year to the Legislative Fund.
At STEAM this year we introduced a class on the Charter Chairpersons Planning Guide along with a Charter Committee Workbook. (You can download these under STATE FORMS on our website. (www.abate-wa.org)). This management tool can be a great asset to ABATE to have a record of how we run our events and projects. If used it will give each committee a tool to focus on a plan and a resource for others to use and improve on the success of each committee and give a permanent record for all of ABATE of Washington.
Our Webmaster and Communications Chair, Mike Middleton, has many ideas with possibilities. You will be seeing many innovations in the near future.
Our Legislative Affairs Officer, Donnie “Breeze” Landsman has been busy traveling all over the State working with the Chapters to establish Legislative Affairs Chairs in each chapter. I encourage each of you to get involved as you Legislative Chair gets informed and involved in our Legislative program. At the last Board meeting of ABATE of Washington we voted to Endorse and Participate in the Defenders program. We spoke at the last Confederation of Clubs meeting and let the COC know that ABATE of Washington supports and will participate in the Defenders program. Breeze presented the draft and the COC felt it was a good agreement. We will present the proposal to the Board at the January meeting for final approval. (See LAO’s article)
Be sure to make plans for Black Thursday January 21st, 2010. Let’s show our elected officials we support our issues.
At the last ECOM meeting I appointed Vicki Kosco, to be our Membership Booth Chair. She will work on getting booths at major events throughout the State to recruit and get the message of ABATE of Washington out to the public. The first event will be the Olympia Toy Run. We will be looking for volunteers to Chair, and participate at the various events.
Have safe and joyous Holiday Season. Let’s Get Err Done,
Mick Gillispie
State Coordinator