Greetings:

We are living in days of drastic change. These forces affect the whole world, including our Association. We will adjust, adapt, and survive or we will evaporate like the morning dew. In times like these, it is difficult to pre-determine what is good or bad and the right direction to take. Yet one fact is evident. If our Association is to survive, it will take the combined efforts of all. Your input is both vital and essential. Our Association is a living organism. Thus, either we are growing, changing, or we are dying.

Robin Butler devoted a tremendous amount of time and energy to revising our Bylaws. We commend and thank him for his excellent work. The proposed changes include naming the counties composing the six geographical regions and the provision that each of these regions be represented by at least one person on the Board of Directors. Hopefully many of the committees will be expanded and reflect that same kind of representation. These changes will encourage and make possible the participation of more members in the leadership of our Association.

Note the expanded opportunities for participation at the Fall Conference, September 28, 29, 30 at the Voyageur Inn in Reedsburg. These don't diminish the regular agenda, including excellent speakers and the Jade Ring Banquet. But they provide ambrosial frosting on a delicious cake. The “Sherrie Avery-King/Queen” Open Mic (Saturday night) and the Writer's Roundtable (Friday night) have become established events. Please join in. Newcomers are always welcome. New opportunities that offer great value and promise are the following: Creative Fiction with Nate Scholze, Non-fiction with Robin Butler, and Poetry with LaMoine MacLaughlin (following the Open Mic on Saturday night); the possibility of having a one-on-one session with Michelle Grajkowski, Literary Agent; and meeting with Denise Sweet, who was named Wisconsin's second Poet Laureate in 2004.

When change occurs, we can choose to be leaders, participants, and decision makers, or we can be spectators, followers, and non-participants swept along with the tide; allowing others' decisions and actions determine our destiny. In our changing world and our evolving Association, will we seize the moment, take advantage of the opportunities, and make the necessary adaptations to be included in those who determine the direction in which our world and our Association will go?

Hopes and dreams dashed by bucketfuls of reality,

I linger on the precipice of a new day dawning.

Yesterday's defeats taste sour in my mouth.

Tomorrow's opportunities lift my spirit.

Springing from my bed while failure slumbers,

my courage kindled by the fires of impending victory,

I challenge new ventures.

Will I walk confidently through opportunity's open gate?

Or will I hide behind securely locked gates,

meekly conform, follow paths of least resistance,

and shun phantom perils?

Will fear of defeat prevail?

Will courage claim the victory?

Fear or courage—which will govern my life

and dominate my daily decisions?

Fear paralyzes, foreboding failure.

Courage spawns success.

Undaunted, I contemplate what might be.