Dear Fellow Members:

It is truly an honor and privilege for me to have the opportunity to serve as president of the Mid-Atlantic Council (MAC) for the 2011 fiscal year.

Our council has quite a history of 37 years. In fact, Paul Kuhns took the time to write the history; and better yet, it appears in our MAC Directory that was first assembled by Jack Wright. What makes our council strong is the simple fact that it has the support and dedication of our members. When our council meets every quarter, you find not only the officers of Council but also the representatives of the chapters and even more impressive past MAC presidents. Our past presidents don’t sit on the side lines; they participate by volunteering to serve on working committees.

We are coming off a great year. Under the leadership of Brandon Weinstock, our Council won the Council of Excellence award from the IMA. Better yet, he took us in a new direction by establishing goals and working committees for not just his fiscal year but for the forthcoming years. As a result, I have the opportunity to continue his programs, add one or two of my own, and pass our council on to the Bob Listerman at the end of my year.

So where are we heading? Well, we need to continue working on the vibrancy of our chapters. PA Northeast was facing termination only a few short years ago; they finished in 10th place this past year. Lehigh Valley facing extinction last year has rebounded. West Chester a newly born chapter only three years ago successfully finished in 1st place not only two years ago but did a repeat this past year. Egad, a first for our Council. But there is still much work to do in this area and Jim Romesberg will chair this committee during the coming year.

The lifeline of our council is the outstanding educational and professional development seminars that are available to our members. Through the ongoing leadership of Amy Snyder and her team of Steve Rossi, Don Mullen, Joanne Newfield, and Melody Cenkner our seminars are well attended because they have dynamic presenters with timely information. If you haven’t been there recently, you need to come out.

Our internal control group is beginning its second year under the leadership of Connie Davies. This group is doing an excellent job of preventing me from paying off my mortgage and formulating a new set of operating rules. Why couldn’t they have waiting until next year?

And our newest committee is focusing on student development. This committee is being chaired by Michele (Hutchinson) Kraynak. Michele faces a real challenge in developing our mission statement for this committee and then putting that mission into action. But like the other committees, I am thrilled that Michele was willing to step forward and take on this challenge.

So where are you going to fit in? Why not come out to a meeting and see what you can do for our members through Council. Our Council meets this July 22nd at the American Grill and Bar, which is located at 499 East Uwchlan Avenue, Chester Springs. The meeting starts at 6pm and ends by 9pm. If you care to do dinner, it costs only $25 but you need to contact Sharon Billey (Ulshafer) at Sharon.Ulshafer@WorleyParsons.com. Do you want to know more? Well, check out the MAC website at www.midatlantic.imanet.org.

Oh yes, I forgot about my contribution. Well, let’s be honest. I am the one that says hi, smiles, shakes hands, and takes all the credit. I am also quite modest. So why not come to the upcoming Council’s meeting (key word: OUR Council) and become a contributor of ideas and assistance. We need you, I need you. See you there.

Tony Curatola