It's been another busy year for the club and I'd like to thank the board and our members for everyone's hard work! We are all volunteers and it always amazes me how giving and generous people are with their time!

This past month has been bitter sweet with Dave and Sue Allen moving to Florida. In addition to being board members, they gave selflessly of their time volunteering at events and managing the Hospitality Committee as well as the raffle table. They also volunteered monthly at the Pet Zoo in Eagle River. They leave big shoes to fill.

The Allen's leaving has left two board positions vacant. Susan Allen was the club's secretary. Dee Powers has been appointed to fill that position. Dave Allen was Member-at-Large. Janice Peterson has been appointed to fill that position. Additionally, Marta and Eric Muth have volunteered to manage the hospitality functions and raffle table. Kris Porter has volunteered to represent TABC at the Eagle River Pet Zoo. We are very grateful to have caring members willing to step forward to help out! If you don't know Janice, Marta or Dee, please come to our meetings and say "Hi".

Nominations for all Board of Director positions will take place in October, with elections in November. For the first time, and in response to survey responses, we will be mailing ballots to members statewide. If you would like to run for an office, work on a committee or help out in other ways, please don't be shy! We are very busy and need more help. Election results will be announced at the December meeting, and of course, published on the website and in the newsletter. Enclosed with the ballots and available on the website will be our annual survey. Please take the time to let us know what's important to you! We use information in the surveys to craft the meeting topics and events for the following year.

This year, TABC applied for and was awarded a $5000 grant from Petfinder.com to help with our 5 year disaster plan. Disaster equipment and training funded by this grant will make a huge difference in how quickly TABC can meet the goals outlined in this plan. The 5 year plan can be viewed on the website. This is just the beginning. We intend to apply for other grants and seek donations to continue to build our response capability across the state.

We are very fortunate, again this year, to have a world-renown avian expert present at our annual seminar. Susan Friedman is a highly sought out, very respected professional that specialized in positive behavioral reinforcement with parrots. The information she'll provide at this seminar will give us all a better understanding of effective ways to help our parrots live in a human world. We have several incredible fundraising items in the silent auction, so register early for this event!

Another new feature this year has been the addition of the "How To" series. If you haven't checked this series out yet- please go to the website and take a look! If you have an idea or something cool you've made for your bird please write the steps involved and e-mail the corresponding pictures along to TABC's e-mail address. Since all of us have struggled with "How To" problem with our birds, this is a great way to help other bird owners! If you have a project or idea that you would like TABC to pursue, please bring it forward!

I would like to encourage readers who aren't members to step forward and help us out! Stay tuned for an exciting next year- it promises to be busy and fun! Thank you members and volunteers for your continued support!

-- Leanna Rein, President

The Alaska Bird Club • P.O. Box 101825 • Anchorage AK 99510
akbirdclub@yahoo.com