It is my great honor and pleasure to serve our Chapter as President for this year. I have big shoes to fill given Dan Heil’s outstanding leadership and productivity. Thankfully, I can rely on the considerable energy and expertise of the Executive Board members to continue the work we started over two years ago. As you know, in that time we have completed several key projects, such as the migration to an online database management system, a new web site and file management system, and an updated conference registration system. Behind the scenes, the Executive Board has also had to adjust to a new way of “doing business” using online document management software, new e-mail addresses, and so on. While some work still remains to be done, we have made great progress and we are very excited for the possibilities the new technologies will provide to all of us.

In addition to streamlining all online operations, this year we aim to provide all members with many more opportunities to interact with each other and also contribute to the work of the Chapter. Our website is designed to allow each member to upload interesting information, offer comments and insights using blogs, and communicate with the three Members-At-Large who represent the main constituencies of the chapter: fitness, clinical, and research professionals and future professionals. Their regular communications, online postings, and blog entries should serve as contact points. We invite you to explore these options and add your voice to the ongoing conversations. Do not forget to explore our Twitter and Facebook links as well!

My goals for this year are to twofold: first, I intend to communicate with other organizations in the Pacific Northwest and work together towards our common goals of bringing the latest research to our professionals, and the best knowledge to the communities we serve. Second, I want to expand the opportunities for our members to benefit from the collective expertise in the region. The Executive Board is exploring opportunities for lectures, local informal gatherings to discuss best practices and latest research, and so on. Ultimately however, the success of these efforts will depend on the contributions from each individual member. Our challenge is to create new opportunities for you without further burdening your busy schedules.

Finally, and in my capacity as the next Annual Meeting Director, I invite you to mark the dates of the 2013 Annual Meeting: March 29-30, 2013. The conference will be held at Willamette University, in Salem, Oregon. The theme of the conference is “Exercise IS Medicine” echoing the ongoing campaign of the National ACSM. Please visit the 2013 Annual Meeting section of the web site for frequent updates.