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Olin Thomas, Executive Director January 2008 The last four years have been a time of great stability in the Affirmation Executive Committee. This has been the longest period of time during which the same three people served: Olin Thomas, Alyson Bolles, and James Morris. As executive director, I can state unequivocally that it has been a pleasure to have had the same two assistant directors over an extended period, especially since both are of them are great fun and so easy to work with. However, nothing lasts forever. Alyson Bolles will be stepping down as senior assistant director. On behalf of all Affirmation members, I wish to thank her for her service and personally for her friendship over the last four years. I have appointed Dave Melson of the Washington, D.C. chapter to take her place on the Executive Committee. I have known Dave for five years now and he has shown great interest in and dedication to Affirmation and its members. He currently serves as the Washington, DC Chapter Director and recently completed a star turn as the conference chairman of our 2007 Conference, which was a resounding success. I am confident that Dave will be a welcome addition to the Executive Committee. Alyson will continue her service to Affirmation as the national women's contact and through continuing to organize events for women in Affirmation. James Morris, of San Francisco, will continue his service as assistant director. It is a great comfort to have the benefit of his long experience in Affirmation as I begin my final term as executive director. Beyond the Executive Committee itself are several crucial positions. Without competent and dedicated people in those roles, Affirmation would not function. The most important ones are treasurer, Affinity editor, webmaster, and membership secretary. Bruce Maughan, of Palm Springs, CA, will continue as our treasurer. Hugo Salinas will continue as Affinity editor and webmaster. Aaron Vinck, of San Francisco, will turn over the duties of membership secretary to Buckley Jeppson of Washington, D.C. Aaron was the first Affirmation membership secretary and deserves a great vote of thanks for organizing our current database and maintaining it for the last two years. We are glad to have Buckley as part of the key staff of Affirmation for 2008. I encourage anyone who is interested in seeing Affirmation continue in its mission to support and advocate for GLBTI Mormons to consider working with the Executive Committee or to nominate themselves to be members of the committee or other key positions. The two assistant directors and other positions are appointed by the Executive Director, who is elected by the membership. Affirmation will need more directors in the near future. Could one of them be you? Let me know by contacting me at www.affirmation.org/contact/ex_dir or 703-864-5527. |
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