A note from President Ron Bellamy in Eugene: 

As an organization, I believe that TAFWA accomplished something this year, in the improvement of our Web site into something that can grow and evolve with us in the future.  While there will  be inevitable things to get used to in such a transformation, I believe that it's necessary for our viability.

Some things I propose we address before the end of the year:

1. We currently do not have a vice president. My term runs through the end of 2009; I propose that we form a nominating committee to come up with a candidate who could be elected by acclaim to serve as VP in the coming year, and be ready to take over at the end of next year. If you are interested in serving on such a committee, have ideas about such a committee, or wish to nominate someone for this position, please let me know by emailing me at ron.bellamy@registerguard.com .

2. I would like us to create two new TAFWA awards for 2009, to cover work done in 2008: An award for photography, and an award for excellence in blogging and Web coverage. I would like input from members on what the criteria would be: submit five photos, for example? Submit five links for Web coverage and blogging? Please give me some suggestions.

3. The USATF outdoor meet is at Hayward Field next June. I'll attempt to find out how closely the media arrangements and mixed-zone access will mirror the Olympic Trials or whether it will be a scaled-down situation. I'll communicate that in a future posting.

-- Ron