Vol 1.1                                                                                      Fall 2009

Welcome to the first issue of our new online newsletter! Moving forward, each issue of FUSTA Footwork will live entirely online as a mini-website. Each issue will be archived online for a year, and accessible through FUSTA.us. Our hope is to bring you a newsletter full of rich content that can help improve us as professionals, Highland dancing globally, and FUSTA as an organization. If you have any thoughts or feedback, we would love to receive it. The only way to make this newsletter better is for the members to take an active part in its content, whether by providing us with content or simply offering suggestions for content.  We want this newsletter to reflect the membership and not just the editorial staff.  We welcome any suggestions and constructive criticism. Please let us know and enjoy the first issue of FUSTA Footwork online!

 

I would like to start my first President’s Message with a sincere THANK YOU on behalf of the FUSTA Board of Directors to Judy Hackett and everyone on the 2009 USIR Committee for hosting an outstanding USIR in Nashville.  Their attention to detail and the teamwork displayed throughout the weekend made it a memorable experience for all who attended. 

As you know this was a FUSTA election year and I would like to welcome the newest members of the Board of Directors: Vice President Bill Weaver, NW Delegate Kendra Roettjer, West Delegate Fred DeMarse, and Midwest Delegate Nancy Strolle.  I am looking forward to working with them and would like to thank Cindy Kopenski, David Tague, and Marie Grimes for all the work they have done during their term representing their region as Delegate. 

Congratulations to Cathy Hynd on her induction to the FUSTA Hall of Fame, a well deserved honor for her many years of dedication to excellence in Highland Dancing and to Sarah Clark from Michigan who was the 2009 recipient of the FUSTA Scholarship.   

Although the composition of the FUSTA Board of Directors has changed, one thing that will not change is the dedicated teamwork of the Board Members throughout the year.  We are also very fortunate to have five outstanding Scottish Delegates, headed by Aileen Robertson, who are committed to  representing FUSTA at the SOBHD Board Meetings.   

Finally, it has been a pleasure to serve with Ann Johnson during her terms as FUSTA President.  As Past President, I will look to her for guidance, and hope that I can serve with the diplomacy and wisdom that were so characteristic of her six years as FUSTA President.  Thank you, Ann, for a job well done.  

I will be sending out my report of the 2009 SOBHD Liaison meeting in addition to a summary of the meeting that took place at Cowal on Thursday which was attended by overseas representatives with regard to possible changes for 2010.  The Organizer was willing to answer our questions and listen to our suggestions for positive change for future years. 

I am thrilled to be the new FUSTA President and hope that you will feel free to contact me at any time with you comments and concerns.

Anne Donlan
FUSTA President

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