JAVS Summer 1998

5

FROM THE PRESIDENT

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I 'd like ro begin my first President's Message with a few "thank-you's." First, ro the AVS nominating committee for placing their confidence in me. Second, ro the members ofAVS for electing a fine slate of officers and board members ro serve as our leadership team for the next four years. Third, ro Tom Tatron for his committed leadership over the last four years. Fourth, ro such AVS "regulars" as David Dalron, Dwight Pounds, and Pam Gold smith for their willingness ro share their unique hisrorical AV insight with the board. I have just returned from the AVS board meetings, graciously hosted by David Dalron in Provo, Urah. Ar the meetings, I was asked by Tom Tattoo ro share with the board my ideas, concerns, and vision for the next four years. I'd like ro share those with you now because iris important for us ro realize thar AVS is nor jusr the officers or the board, bur each member. The success of this organization lies in the ability of each of us ro promote the performance and study of the viola and collegiality among violists. My three goals for the nexr four years (which I hope become your goals for AVS participation as well) are 1. Increase membership (ro a rarger of2000 members by rhe year 2000). 2. "Think globally-act locally." 3. Increase communication among violists. 1. Membership drive-the 2000 for 2000campaign: Continued growth in AVS member ship is essential ro our long-rerm health. Increasing our membership base will allow us robe come a more efficient organization (with fixed overhead cosrs shared by more members) and will allow rhe board ro investigate such activities as publishing, hisrorical CD production, in creased support for the Primrose Competition, and other worthy projects. Ar our current mem bership base of approximately 1,000 members, AV has run minor deficits in recent years. Ifwe each add 0 E MEMBER in the nexr year, we can create surpluses that can be used ro create new programs and enhance AVS membership for everyone. Please join me in the 2000for 2000 campaign and recruit a new AVS member this month! 2. "Think globally-act locally": From my experience in the Chicago Viola Society, ir has become apparent ro me that AVS serves irs membership besr when ir functions ar rwo levels: a national level, producing congresses and this fine journal, and a local level, encouraging area performers and creacing a sense of the local viola community. In Chicago we have had a mar velous rime with such events as a Chicago Symphony Viola Section Recital , a solo competition, and a play-in for amateurs, students, and professionals. These evenrs helped in adding over 100 new members ro AVS. The AVS board will be working diligently in the next four years to ful6ll Alan de Verirch's dream of a series oflocal chapters around the U.S. ro serve each member of the AVS ar both the national and local level. 3. Increase communication among violists: One of the pleasures of the advent of the Chicago Viola ociety has been the increased awareness of impottan r local viola happenings. A dedicated group wirhin the AVS board will be looking inro expanding our presence on the Inrerner and actively seeking our chapter news for the journaL We can all play our parr in this process by sharing our news of significant appoinrmenrs, recitals, competitions, ere. Feel free to e-mail any viola news ro me ar pjs279@nwu.edu. I will make sure that ir gers posted or published. I look forward ro serving the Society for the nexr four years and ro working with you to achieve these three virally important goals.