We welcome you to NVPS '08-'09. This will be an exciting and active NVPS year. We will be treated to wonderful speakers, competitions, photographic presentations, field trips, education sessions, exhibits, and other learning experiences. You will be encouraged, provided with educational opportunities, and challenged.

This will be the 44th year for NVPS and we will maintain the club's outstanding reputation as one of the very best photography clubs in the region. NVPS is a very active club with activities to challenge and appeal to the many "tastes" and skill levels of our members. We are intent on encouraging and helping less- experienced photographers to increase their skills.

We are very fortunate to have a Board of very talented volunteers, with a good mix of prior Board experience and "new" Board members. As you know, all Board members are volunteers. Please strongly consider volunteering to serve in one of the unfilled positions, which include: Secretary [the elected person's job workload increase caused a resignation], Exhibits Coordinator, & Meadowlark Coordinator.

Congratulations to the many fine photographers who "graduated up" from Novice to Advanced level, based on their demonstrated higher skills during competitions last year. Congratulations also to Scott Musson for being a great President last year and for completing & analyzing the masterful Members Survey, for revamping & publishing the Board Member Guide and his many other initiatives.

We greatly look forward to seeing you on Tuesday, 2 September, at Dunn Loring Fire Station as we kick-off another exciting year. I am very honored to follow in the footsteps of so many wonderful former NVPS presidents.

Tom Brett
tombrettphoto "at" cox.net