Many of you may be unaware that I am also the Chairman of the Board for a corporation that owns two retirement communities in California. I write you today from Orlando, Florida where I am attending a conference of the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (AAHSA). This is a wonderful conference where I would urge everyone who provides services to senior citizens should go and learn about an industry that will and does affect us in so many ways. There are so many connections between this association and my relationship with you and this industry. Every day I am amazed at how much of my experiences and learning applies to both areas of my focus. But enough about that, I will tell you more about my thoughts on this subject as time goes by.

The important thing today is to talk to you about your association, NAIFA-Fresno. NAIFA is facing the same challenges and issues of almost every organization in the country. Every problem and concern that rears its ugly head stems from one core element ----MEMBERSHIP, or the lack there of. Somewhere along the line, the conviction to be a part of something and make a difference in the lives of others through a collective purpose has been lost. Why aren't people the joiners they used to be? What keeps them away or not engaged in a common union of people? Good question! I would be famous if I had the solution that would turn that around. But it's not enough to be perplexed and ponder this subject. Nor can we resign ourselves to accept this plight and just watch as the organization continues to waste away and eventually die a skeleton of the few who "hung on 'til the end". How sad is that? So what are we to do? Do membership drives work? I think they can be effective, but they aren't the solution. Membership drives can increase membership, which is good, but organizations thrive on active, engaged people moving forward the vision and mission of the group. We need to provide opportunities for involvement and promotion of ourselves so that we can have the strength to pursue our goals.

NAIFA is a membership organization. It is the members who structure and carryout the future of the organization. This is why I would personally like to invite you and a guest to come to our next meeting to personally hear and be involved in the State of the Association presentation at the November 8 luncheon meeting. We, your leaders and board of directors, want to have a candid talk about our vision, our feelings, and our concerns. You will also hear about the proposed increase in our dues along with our analysis of its impact for the good and for the bad. But most importantly, this is your opportunity to speak, listen, and interact with your club, your membership. We want to -- we need to -- hear from you. Tell us what you think about membership, NAIFA-Fresno, NAIFA-California, and NAIFA National. You just might be sitting on the solution.

Belinda Roberts

President