Executive Director Message

Hello Everyone–
We've just celebrated another wonderful ESA International Convention in Minneapolis, Minnesota. As you look through the website this month, you'll find materials reviewing many of the accomplishments and programs that were highlighted at convention, including materials and information that was presented at many of the wonderful workshops that were held during the week.

We celebrated events that culminated at convention such as the Virtual Food Drive and also reviewed some of the many good works that chapters and states performed through the Hope for Heroes Program. 2010-2011 International Council President, Dora Dill announced that she will continue to encourage ESA to support the Hope for Heroes Project and will once again  publicize Veteran's Day this November as a focal point for our ESA activities on behalf of our  military and their families.

This year, she also is asking us to focus on the month of October as ESA Recruitment month, where members and chapters are asked to hold events that will encourage participants to become members of ESA. She noted that the Bunco events to raise dollars for the kids of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital will be a good event to promote ESA recruitment. You will learn much more about this program in the coming weeks as you receive your fall rosters and newsletters.

Once again, those at convention were able to hear from St. Jude patients and celebrate the $8,526,930.46 that ESA was able to contribute to the hospital. We also were able to enjoy an evening at the Mall of America to complete the IC Challenge that raised over $86,000. It was a delight to watch all of the participants, who were dressed in bright orange walking through the mall, bringing attention to both ESA and the kids of St. Jude.

The ESA Foundation also celebrated its 40th anniversary at convention, complete with cake, and the annual listing of scholarship winners. Once again, the Foundation has been contacted by tens of thousands of students who are learning about ESA as they come to our website for scholarship information. This year, the Foundation also introduced a new PowerPoint presentation that is available to introduce and promote the ESA Foundation and its great work.

We also welcomed Ken Tracey and Matt Keenum who began working with ESA merchandise earlier this spring. I think all those who met Ken and Matt in Minneapolis were pleased to know that there will be two more fine people working to develop ESA's merchandise for our membership. You might want to take a look at the new merchandise site that they has been created for your use.

Again, as you look through the website, note that there also are new resources for you to use to help you show and tell the ESA story. Specifically, there are new Hope for Heroes, Circle of Life, and St. Jude presentations that feature ESA's good works. Both of these are suitable for showing to those attending ESA events this fall.

In summary, we celebrated a good year, even in these hard times. We look forward another great year this year. As Kansas begins its preparations for next year, I encourage you to begin making your plans to be at IC Convention next year in Kansas City. IC Convention is a true opportunity to see all that ESA does and accomplishes in a year. It's a great experience celebrating what you do as a member of our wonderful organization.

You create miracles for the world. Congratulations and best wishes for continuing the proud traditions of Education, Service and Association that make ESA so special. Thank you for all you do–you are truly amazing.

Agape'.

B.J. Clark

B.J. Clark
Executive Director