Sylvia and I join the Officers and the Executive Council of the Academy in wishing you that these holidays are a time of warm spirit filled with friendship, love and good health that remains with you and yours throughout the coming year.

I would like to share with you some of the projects that are currently on-going and will be reported on next year in Portland

I have been uncomfortable with the process that we have been using to select future annual meeting sites. After our business meeting in Santa Fe, I felt we needed to explore a more organized manner. The Ad Hoc Committee for Method of Meeting Site Selection was appointed with Jerry Andres as Chair. The Committee proposed modifications which were then massaged by the Executive Council in Chicago. The concept of geographic regions determined by the time zones with a General Arrangements Chair appointed for each region is being prepared for a possible by-laws change. Jonathan Wiens expands on this proposal in his Secretary/Treasurer’s report.

The financial solvency of our annual meeting is presently heavily dependent on guest attendance. Each Program Chair has faced the difficult task of developing an excellent program worthy of the Academy’s reputation without having a definite budget. The Program Chair has frequently helped raise the funds to support the program. Consequently, the Ad Hoc Committee to Plan the Program Budget was established with Cliff VanBlarcom as Chair. This group will explore past expenses and present methods of establishing a definite budget for future programs. Gary Goldstein is chairing the Ad Hoc Committee to explore the possibility of increasing our corporate support and the potential of including non-dental companies.

The Ad Hoc Committee to Revisit the Mission of the Academy is tasked to focus on the role of the Academy as well as its relationship with other prosthodontic organizations. Can we serve as a filter of science and technology for the prosthodontic community? What impact can the Academy have in the development of the future leaders in Prosthodontics? Charlie Goodacre and his committee will report their thoughts and suggestions at the Portland meeting.

I am looking forward to my first visit to Portland. George Murrell and his committee have prepared a program which will be scientifically stimulating and yet allow time for reminiscing and socializing. Vangie and John Sorensen have concentrated their efforts to arrange a variety of events which will allow us to enjoy the flavor and beauty of Portland.

Steve Eckert and our new Webmaster, Roman Cibirka, have developed an outstanding Webpage which the Academy can be proud of, and they keep coming up with improvements. Please go to www.academyprosthodontics.org Steve Eckert is also to be congratulated for the excellent, thought-provoking. editorial he wrote in the last newsletter regarding Sept. 11.

As I drive into Washington D.C., past the gaping wound in the Pentagon now under repair and then come upon the expansive rows of white grave markers in Arlington Cemetery, I ponder with new appreciation the cost in lives expended to maintain our freedom and democracy. My thoughts drift to the thousands in New York, many also taken in their youthful prime, who will never enjoy the holiday season with their loved ones. For most of them, there is not even an individual grave site to visit. I will hold my children and my grandchildren a lot closer and pray for those who are less fortunate, as well as the many young people who are in harms way defending our country, God Bless America!