Good Morning and Happy Law Day!

Today is the last day to submit names to the Nominating Committee.  Positions open to nomination are president-elect, treasurer, secretary, and five at-large seats.  If you are interested in becoming more active in the future direction of NATLE, or know someone who should be, click here for the nomination form.  All nominees will receive a follow-up questionnaire, due May 8th.

NOTE!  The riverboat tour is now an integral part of the Annual Meeting in Chicago set to sail on Saturday, July 25th (4:30p to 7:30p).  Our friends at Supio are sponsoring the activity to reduce any ticket cost (~$25-$30).  Families and guests are welcome to join us for this guided and catered excursion along the Chicago River.  The dock is a 2-minute walk from the Hyatt!  On this private cruise, we’ll explore amazing architecture, skyline vistas, stories, and more, discovering why no other city is like Chicago.  This will be an interactive experience to learn about the “ugly buildings” (this includes the House of Blues where we will have been for the AAJ Opening Reception!) and the City’s underbelly.  We’ll also have the whole boat and we’ll go rain or shine.  Reserve your spot(s)!  (The COP is inviting EDs to attend their dinner – details to come.)

Register for our Annual Meeting in Chicago (July 25-27).  NEW for this conference: Once you complete the NATLE registration process, you will automatically be added to a NATLE-member only (no vendors), listserv for Chicago registrants to help with any pre-con (and during-con!) arrangements. From airport rides to morning runs and dinner in between—connect and make it happen!  AAJ’s registration page is open and the confirmation contains a link to the hotel reservation site.  Don’t wait on registering and reserving a room – NATLE does not have a secret cache of rooms for fence-sitters! 

It’s back!  The in-person Leadership Symposium: Built for the Full Leadership Team will be a full-day program on Friday, Nov 6.  This is the day before the NATLE Governmental Affairs Conference in Tucson, November 7-9.  Leadership consultant, Jes Averhart, has provided a proposal to facilitate this valuable program designed specifically to bring together staff executives and volunteer leaders to build shared direction, strengthen decision-making, and accelerate results.  Help us spread the word by notifying your president and/or president-elect.  The Westin La Paloma is expanding our room block to include Thursday, Nov 5.  (If your volunteer leadership can only attend the Symposium and not the GAC, there will be a Symposium-only registration option.)  Help us right-size the room block and let us know ASAP how many rooms you’ll need for Thursday, Nov 5.

Speaking of the GAC, a Planning Committee is in the early stages of forming, so let Alison Dodge or me know if you area interested in helping shape the program and topics.

That’s the NATLE Weekly Wrap.  Have a great weekend!

P.S. In case you’re still here…Last night was the last exercise class for my friend, Sarah.  She’s putting her Pure Barre membership on pause as she counts down the last 25 days until she and her husband welcome their first baby, a daughter, to the family.  (I’ve been advocating for Amelia Rose or BethAnne Rose – Sarah’s last name is Rosenblum – but I’ve come to accept that I don’t have much sway in this whole naming thing.)  For those of us not directly involved, it feels like her pregnancy flew by, but for Sarah, the last eight-plus months have been a slog and she’s ready for it to be over.  Our little clutch of friends I lovingly call the Back Barre Babes will take her out for dinner in the next week or so since we recognize she won’t have as much time for us once Amelia comes along.

P.P.S. It’s Green Up Day tomorrow here in Vermont, at least.  If I’m not outside with other pickers, I’ll beep and wave a hand of thanks to those along the road who are.