Dear Members,

Starting a new year is an opportunity to reflect on the successes and unfinished goals of the year before and to plan and set goals for the year ahead. NYSTRA implemented new services this past year that we hope have helped in your successes. We will continue in our efforts to support your plans for moving your career and the profession forward. Education, networking, employment opportunities, resources and advocacy are some of the support systems we offer through our web-site, annual conference, newsletter and other services.

The NYSTRA Board met on Monday, January 12th via conference call and moved forward on conference preparation, policy and procedure issues, web-site services and scheduling educational workshops.

As you start to plan your year, a great way to re-energize and reward your self, and to help plan your agenda for self and career improvement, would be to mark your calendar to attend the annual NYSTRA conference taking place in Albany, April 15-18, 2004. It looks to be another exciting four days of educational and networking opportunities with your peers and many professionals in the field. The web-site link to conference will give you all the details and registration information. Conference booklets will be mailed out in February. Check out the scholarship options for students and professionals. We have revised the criteria to make it easier for you to qualify, so take advantage of this great money saver by applying.

Nomination forms for our annual awards will soon be in the mail. These awards are a great way to recognize and acknowledge the achievements of your peers. Take a moment to think if there is someone you know who has done an outstanding job, created a new service, advocated for the profession... for the betterment of our client base and Therapeutic Recreation. If so, they deserve to be recognized and you can help in that process by placing them in nomination.

I invite every member to consider running for office on the NYSTRA Board. There will be several openings that start in June. The opportunity to work with other professionals in the service of others and for the profession is extremely rewarding and educational. My experiences on the board improved my skills, knowledge, confidence and professional manner and abilities. You don’t have to know everything, just have a willingness and desire to work with others and make a positive impact on the profession. Nominations will be coming soon in the mail. You can nominate a peer or yourself. If you want to nominate another, check with them first to ensure they would be willing to run.

The Resource link on our web-site is now up and running. We are very proud of this new addition and I encourage you to check it out if you have not done so. If you have used a vendor or organization that is not listed, that would be beneficial to other clinicians, please forward the information to Isabel Kellerman, Secretary. Her address is listed under the NYSTRA Board link.

Wishing you a productive, rewarding and successful year. See you at the conference!

Ron Becker, CTRS
President