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 |