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Message from ATRA's President-Elect I am honored to serve as the ATRA President Elect and Chapter Affiliate Council liaison. You can be very proud of your elected Chapter Affiliate Council officers. In just the few months since their installment I have witnessed the significant amount of leadership and service dedicated to the service of our Chapter Affiliates. I have complete confidence in Becki, Cathi & Michael in leading this year's Affiliate Council. Since September, I have had the privilege of visiting Chapters in New Jersey, Oklahoma and Indiana. The opportunity to visit members and discuss their needs has been very valuable. One of the concerns we have heard is how can we make the yearly ATRA dues payment easier on our member's budget. I am pleased to announce that the ATRA Executive Board has recently approved to implement a new membership dues payment plan for monthly or quarterly installment. The specific implementation details of this new service are currently being developed. Watch the ATRA newsletter or www.atra-tr.org for more information. Needless to say the act of traveling to our Chapters since September 11th has taken on a new level of Country's history, I believe that post September 11th offers some valuable lessons for an organization such as the American Therapeutic Recreation Association. Primary among these lessons is that we must face adversity with action, breakdown barriers with boldness, and overcome challenges with courage. Now more than ever, our members need and deserve a National Organization and State Affiliate Chapters that are prepared to support their needs as caring health care providers. On behalf of the ATRA Board of Directors, thank you for your leadership and the service you deliver through our chapter affiliate organizations. ATRA's success is based on our grass roots focus and service. Through a strong national organization and a strong chapter affiliate we will assure the success of each ATRA member in their respective Recreational Therapy practice and work setting. Thank you Chapter Affiliates for all that you do for the ATRA MEMBER! G.T. Thompson |