Happy New Year to you all. I know budgets are tight this year and it will be tough for all to attend trainings and the annual conference. As I talk to members at regional trainings the discussion usually turns to finding creative ways to finance teams to attend the ATC. Some agencies were looking for corporate sponsors, some doing fundraisers. In Petaluma, for the past 7 years, we have held a golf tournament to raise funds for our team. The first year it was slow going, but each year it has grown and become a very popular community event. There are many types of fundraising possibilities out there. I have found that many businesses were very happy to help their local law enforcement agencies.
As a brief reminder, be diligent with your credit information: After the 2008 ATC we discovered an unknown individual began using one of the Northern Regions credit card numbers to make overseas purchases. It has been a long process and we are close to recovering most of the monies taken. It just proves that no one, not even those of us in Law Enforcement, are safe.
As we approach the 2009 ATC your conference committee is hard at work planning the 20th Anniversary conference. Back by popular demand is the USS Midway. This year we will visit the Midway on Wednesday evening in conjunction with our banquet. The banquet will be held on the Midway.
There will be plenty of great speakers for your learning enjoyment throughout the week. There will be some new presenters and some presenters you have heard before presenting new topics. We are always looking for presentations, so if you know of any presentations, please contact your local regional representatives. This is your conference and we welcome your input.
With elections drawing near we need your involvement. This is a volunteer board and works for the good of the membership. Those of us that are on the board are committed to this organization and work hard for our members throughout the year. Having said that there will come a point in time for some of us to move on so we need your involvement. Contact your local regional board and get involved at that level to see if you want to make a larger commitment in the future.
As always this is your association and we welcome your input and ideas
Matt Thomas
