As most of you know, the Board of Directors made it very clear at the National Convention that they wanted to return to having TWO Board meetings per year … and directed that we return to two annual meetings “as soon as practicable.”

Your volunteer leaders and the national staff have been working very hard to accommodate the Board’s desires, and I am pleased to inform you that we have finalized a contract with the Marriott Crystal Gateway Hotel in Arlington, Virginia, for a Directors’ Meeting to be held May 22-24, 2008.  The program will begin at noon on Thursday, May 22nd and conclude by 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 24th.  This will allow people to return to their homes in time to enjoy the long Memorial Day weekend, or perhaps choose to spend the holiday here in the Nation’s Capitol.  Either way, it promises to be a great time to hold a meeting here in DC, and I wanted to let you all know as soon as possible so you could plan accordingly. 

The program and other information were published in the March and April issues of Seapower magazine and are, of course, available on this website. 

Given the strong sentiment shown by the National Directors to return to two annual meetings, I am confident that I can count on each of you to support this meeting.  So, mark your calendars and make your travel plans now.

                            J. Michael "Mike" McGrath
                            National President