Thank you all for attending the forty second annual meeting of the Northeastern Mosquito Control Association. This organization has come a long way. It wasn't that long ago, at one of these prior meetings, that the membership had some conversation about our future. But thanks to the involvement of our past and future officers we have a great deal to be proud of.

For example, past president Dave Scott made it a point to set a standard for our "Proceedings". The goal was to bring it to the publication quality of like documents. Due to the assembly of an authorial format, the involvement of a technical editorial staff and (for the last two years) the direction from Sarah MacGregor and her publications committee, the "Proceedings" are something to be proud of. Sometime, take an opportunity to thumb though the pages. As an example, look at the lovely memorial written by Dave Henley to honor Bob Armstrong. You should also know that these proceedings are now being referenced in other journals.

The efforts of George Christie should not go unnoticed either, with regard to our "new" newsletter, "the Northeaster". I've seen bits and pieces of it show up in other articles around the country. Also, as can be attested to by the size of the group assembled here today, our reputation for putting on a meeting is a reflection of the effort by the likes of our program chairman Paul Capotosto. Surely, we'll have to bring in more chairs as it looks like standing-room only.

I would also like to acknowledge David Boyes, our Treasurer. For several years Dave has watched our funds like a hawk. Whenever a costly expense or proposal came forward, Dave has always examined the finances closely and judiciously. Dave was personally involved in our trek back from the taxation penalties, to a point where we now are able to fund (near fully) the Jobbins Scholarship and the McColgan Grant-in-Aid.

This Association is also rich in its membership. Our wealth is in the people who are involved. We can boast of members from many states even from outside of New England. This has been evident to me personally this last year as I have sought assistance from members from New York and Delaware. In this room we have people who have been presidents from associations in North Carolina and New Jersey, the American Mosquito Control Association ... and former Regional Directors, including Ken Ludlam from Plymouth County, who in his own gracious style has keep us all informed on A.M.C.A. business. And, speaking of Plymouth County I would like to acknowledge Joanne Fawcett from that Project, who for years has been the smiling face who greets us all at the registration table; an unforgiving job with little or no recognition.

Finally I would like to speak to the new members and the young attendees who may be here for only the first or second time. You are the ones who should get involved. It is you who will run this association in the future. When I only attended these meetings annually, I thought that, that was enough. However, these last six years on the Executive Board have been the most rewarding! I urge you to step forward and volunteer to serve on a committee. If asked to run for election as an officer ... accept!

This organization started out with a very few people. It has become what we see here today. A handful, at one time, thought that they could help out the Association (fiscally) by contributing to a status of membership that we seem to have forgotten. That is, the Life Member. Therefore, the Executive Board has a gift for the Association. I have here a beautifully laser-cut wood plaque that acknowledges those first Life Members. This plaque will now sit on the registration table as a reminder to us of those humble beginnings and the people whose names appear on it.

Congratulations to us all. Thank you and have a wonderful meeting.

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