PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE ****************************************************************************** by Harry Winter When Dottie and I came to the organizational meeting of the Ann Arbor Orchid Society back in 1992, we never intended to do more than just sit quietly in the back, enjoy the orchids, and learn about growing them (since we then knew next to nothing). But we should have known better. While some people seem to be able to keep a low profile, we always get sucked into the operations of the organizations we belong to, such as stamp clubs, where we have served in various capacities from President on down - which is what happens when you don t know how to keep quiet. Thus, we found ourselves serving on the Board of AAOS for almost its entire 5-year existence, and now I have been entrusted as its third President. I hope I can live up to that trust, but I have some tough acts to follow. Our pioneering President, Neal "George Washington" Foster, did a marvelous job of getting our society underway, and on firm ground; and Connie Bailie, our super, hard-working second President, set a precedent for organization, especially the board meetings, and on her watch the Ann Arbor Orchid Festival was established becoming instantly more successful than any of us could imagine. I think most people don t realize just how hard Connie worked, and how seriously she took her responsibilities to the Society. She, of course, will remain on the Board as Past President, as will Neal, who has been appointed to serve the remainder of Glenn Lehr s term as Director, which he resigned to run for Vice-President. So, what lies ahead for the third President? I really see no major changes that need to be made, nor do I think we want to embark on any major new undertakings. Both from financial and manpower considerations, I think we are operating about at our optimum level. I would like to see that the Society is on a firm, reliable, and possibly expanded financial basis, so that we can begin to think of other projects such as handling a regional Orchid convention. There are a few vacancies on various committees and society positions, and I will be asking for volunteers to fill these vacancies. If the volunteers don't speak up, then I might call on you to help out. As always, our major event for the summer will be the annual picnic, once again to be held at Glenn Lehr's estate in Manchester. We hope to see you all there - in the meantime, happy Orchid growing! *****************************************   Harry Winter