Message from Tom Williams, President of the Vermont Chapter

A MESSAGE FROM CHAPTER PRESIDENT TOM WILLIAMS

This past year has been active for both our Chapter and the home front. Our Chapter has progressed and we have delivered to our members both innovation and progress.

Unfortunately our home front has seen many of our friends and neighbors struggling to keep their “way of life” in tact.

As the economy has struggled, budgets have been decreased and each of us is being asked to do more with less. For the Chapter, the delivery of our newsletter via the internet has decreased our costs. Our website, while time consuming to keep up to date, is a tool that can bring news and innovating information to all members quickly. There is a forum page for members to use and a host of available tools on our website (VTIAAI. ORG) .We continue to be on a learning curve with the website but it has been a successful tool.

Our annual dinner is scheduled for June 10. The time and location will be announced shortly. Any suggestions for a venue are appreciated.

Mark Galle continues to put out our newsletter. Any efforts a member has to assist him would be appreciated. It is a thankless but important job for the organization. I also continue to appreciate the guidance and counsel of Gene Bastian, our long time Treasurer.

I am exploring the possibility of our bringing an EXPERT TESTIMONY class to the area. I hope that we can enlist the interest of other New England Chapters. I have been in contact with the International Association of Arson Investigators home office to seek guidance. If you have any thoughts or wish to assist with the program please contact me. It would be a fall program.

I welcome Green Mountain Chapter of the International Association of Electrical Inspectors as the newest sponsor of our website and thank them for their contribution. They are linked on our website and would appreciate your support.

This past year I have addressed numerous professional organizations and presented seminars throughout the state and elsewhere. I am happy to report that we have an enthusiastic group of supporters.

My continued thanks to all of you for both being members of the Vermont Chapter and for your efforts towards its improvement.