For those who attended the Spring Institute at the Renaissance Austin Hotel, you were part of a record setting event with over 400 in attendance.  On behalf of the GFOAT Board, I would like to thank the program committee, Becky Brooks and the TML staff of Lavern Gaines, Jacqueline Redin and Sharon Ball for all their work on the conference.  I also would like to thank the Sponsors for their support in making the event such a success. 

For those who could not attend the conference, we mentioned that a survey will be sent to GFOAT members in May to get input on current and future training initiatives.  The survey should take you about 15 to 20 minutes to complete.  Your responses will help the Board determine our training needs, so please complete the survey.  All those who complete the survey will be placed in a drawing and one name will be picked to receive a free registration to the fall conference in Galveston.

Congratulations to Bill Pollock (Highland Park) who received the Lewis F. McLain Jr. Ethics in Leadership Award at the lunch during the business meeting.   Bill had a prestigious entourage in attendance with Town Administrator Bill Lindley, former Town Administrator George Patterson, and Controller Clayton Gray stepping to the podium as Bill received the award.  As a side note, Bill was the chair of the Scholarship Committee for many years and was one of the first people I got to know a little over 18 years ago when I became a member of GFOAT.  Congratulations Bill! 

During the business meeting at the Spring Institute, the membership approved a new membership rate structure that will take effect October 1, 2010.  The new rate structure is posted on the website for you to see.  Additionally, the membership approved the slate of officers for 2010-2011 that takes effect beginning July 1, 2010.  Congratulations and thank you to the officers listed below that have agreed to serve our organization. 

President – Micki Rundell, Georgetown
President Elect – Corrine Steeger, Dallas
Treasurer – Keith Nelson, Deer Park
Secretary – Kent Austin, University Park
At Large Representative – Carl Wessels, Lancaster
North Representative – Bret Starr, Irving
South Representative – Collin Boothe, Conroe

Finally, just a reminder that the GFOA National Conference is scheduled for June 6-9 in Atlanta, Georgia.  Check the GFOAT website at www.gfoa.org for details.

Kent