Update...finally!

First, let me apologize for so long between blog posts. Hurricane Ike put a crimp in my plans, and holes in my fence and roof, but we fared much better than many others, and I'm finally feeling back on track. To our colleagues on the hard-hit coast from Freeport to Sabine Pass, you are in the thoughts of the SWATA family; please let us know if there is anything we can do.

Second, the work of SWATA has continued since our last communication.

• We have signed the contract with the Houston Westin Galleria for the 2011 Annual Meeting.
• We have signed a contract with the NATA Research and Education Foundation to establish an endowed SWATA scholarship for Master's degree students.
• We have established a regional grant program to assist with the costs of regional AT meetings (e.g., NTATS, GHATS, SPATS, etc.).
• We are preparing to host the golf tournament for the NATA Annual Meeting in San Antonio next June.

In addition, we are preparing for the ATSA's Competency Workshop January 30 and 31 in Dallas.

We are also preparing for the Board's Midwinter meeting January 31 and February 1 in Lubbock, Texas. In connection with Midwinter, the Board is hosting a reception from 6 to 8 PM on Saturday, January 31 in Lubbock, so please plan to stop by and chat with us.

I would also like to remind everyone that we will have an election next spring for Second Vice President. Past President Melinda Terry is accepting nominations from now through February 15.

I'll try to post more frequently from here on to keep you up to date with SWATA activities.

Thanks for supporting your professional association, and we'll be in touch soon.