Let me begin my term as your new president with a big THANK YOU for serving our children. And welcome to a year of growth and change at OSBA. Consider this the first of many invitations from me to you, to increase involvement and create a stronger association.

As some of you know, the vote-by-mail resolutions failed to get two-thirds approval among members voting at our Saturday business meeting. Also, members unanimously approved the resolution to back the ODE's growth model pilot for No Child Left Behind (newsflash -- We learned this morning (November 15) the USDOE rejected ODE's application; we'll keep you updated on the next steps.)

Like I said during my acceptance speech on Sunday, many voices were heard during the business meeting. The 129 members attending were almost evenly split among those who wanted vote-by-mail, and those who wanted our new Governance Committee to explore the idea and come back next November with a plan, based on their research and talking to more OSBA members. 

The Resolutions Committee discussed the two vote-by-mail resolutions (for OSBA board members and resolutions) on Thursday night after hearing testimony from five districts. After a long discussion, the committee recommended a "do not pass" on both. We noted the following reasons at the business meeting:

• The OSBA board has already established a Governance Committee to review our entire structure, including elections procedures for board and officers; resolutions and nominations process and business meeting procedures.
• The Governance Committees goal is to unite our members into an association where every voice is heard and counted. A report on the recommended changes will be made to the OSBA board in September with action at the November 2007 business meeting.
• These issues demand a thorough review and exploration of all solutions, not just the single vote-by-mail solution. 
• The Resolutions Committee believes the Governance Committee should be allowed to complete its work before action is taken to change our voting system.

What does this mean? It means a bright light will shine all year on the Governance Committee. Their second meeting is this Friday and Saturday in Salem. As president, I look forward to being involved; Past President David Beeson will continue to chair and send you updates. This project is his passion. I expect good work and strong connections to be
made with our members as we follow this path.

Let me also welcome our new OSBA Board elected at the business meeting:

Craig Prewitt (Phoenix-Talent), president elect; Annette Mattson (David Douglas), vice president; Beth Gerot (Eugene), Secretary/treasurer. David Beeson will serve as past-president. A special welcome to a new face, Bobbie Regan (Portland) for our director at large position. Board members elected for second terms are Fred Marble (Forest Grove), 1st
Congressional District; Idalia Stam (Nyssa), 2nd Congressional District; Harry Ainsworth (Multnomah ESD), 3rd Congressional District; Wally Hazen (Coos Bay), 4th Congressional District; and Maria Caballero (Gervais), 5th Congressional District. 

I believe strongly in finding common ground. And, as a proud member of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, I will bring my culture of collaboration and discussion to this statewide table. Warm Springs is a nation where the sun shines most every day . . . I look forward to bringing this light to my service as your president.