• 4^th - Independence Day:
  It commemorates the severance of ties for the New World colonies, and all the people who were here, from previous rule imposed on them.

Out of town trips have prevented me fom attending recent BOD meetings and the monthly General Meetings. Since no one has communicated with me about either, I am not sure they were even held. The General meetings, have not had a scheduled corporate presenter, that I know about, and if held, probably only had a hand full of people even showed up. Overall interest in the organization appears to have waned. This is also evident by the ever declining membership and the fact that we have not had a full compliment of board members (one or more vacancy) for the past three years.

It is now late in June, and I have no indication that David Steward has any presenter for our next General Meeting (Jul 14th), other than himself. I keep hoping he will have an announcement posted to the website, but, based on his lack of success since about November of last year, I am confident we will have another in-house presentation. Since things can change, even at the last minute, on the day of the meeting, call the Learning Center for the most current information on location and presenter. I can only hope that someone will have made something available for the staff to pass along.

Each year when the first day of July rolls around it reminds me that we have finished the first half of the year, and we are starting the second half. I am sure it will bring other thoughts to mind for many, but one should be about the election process for the Alamo PC Organization, specifically for the BOD.

July is Alamo PC's annual nomination time for BOD positions that are vacant or expiring. The Elections Committee will try to seek members willing to serve at the BOD level, but since we have operated with one or more vacant positions since Oct 2005 (despite numerous pleas from me in past messages), it would appear the task may again prove to be difficult. Each member also has a stake in this process ‑ "This is OUR organization." Each member should consider themself to be responsible for trying to identify individuals willing to serve at the BOD level. The opportunity to submit names will be available at the July General Meeting, for members who are present. Once the list of individuals has been identified, individual biographies will be submitted for inclusion in the August PC Alamode. During August, the online election process will be conducted to determine the list of Board members for the coming year (Oct 2008 ‑ Sep 2009).

I continue to ask current members to consider what this organization has to offer, what it has done for you, and what it can do for others. You are our best source of free advertising. Perhaps by thinking about it, you will be prompted to renew your membership and provide some much needed support, at various levels in the organization - marketing, advertising & sponsors, software for evaluation, general meeting set-up & tear-down, trade shows, learning center volunteer, class teacher, etc. Please remember for this organization to survive WE must each continue to be a supportive member, through renewals and participation at some level (especially at the board level) .

Continue to consider some of the following items available to members (and please talk to others about them): free class benefit

• enroll in one or more of the classes;
• the "Wish List" - if a class you would like to have isn't on the list, make it known to the people at the Learning Center so they can put it on the list of classes that people have requested;
• one membership for the family - entitles one family member to vote, but it entitles each family member, in the household, to enroll in free classes during, the time the membership is current
• "The Dr. Is In" - Friday AM hands-on help with computer problems, at the Learning Center
• monthly presentations about current issues in the computer hardware and software;
• etc.

We continue to review member requested classes to determine if and when a new area of study should be scheduled. If you have a suggestion, let the Director of Education know. That is how several classes have been started, including the one in the next paragraph. Once it is determined that a class should be started, finding a teacher is usually a daunting task.

We are still trying to improve member retention, although new members have almost been sufficient to offset non-renewing members. (At present, almost all of our new members are derived from "walk-in traffic" at the Learning Center.) We want membership to continue to "grow" through each member renewing and trying to encourage others to join. (Please remember that you can help someone to join through the online process. They don't have to come to the Learning Center.) If you do not choose to renew, send a comment or two as to "Why?" to membership, with a copy to me at the organization or privately. I appreciate all communications, especially those on how we can improve the Alamo PC Organization and increase member interest!

As, I have said before, the future of OUR organization will always rest in the hands of its members. Whether WE continue (or not) depends on OUR interest and involvement. But, it primarily depends on membership renewals and/or financial support. Without those, we will not be able to meet our financial obligations and 'business decisions' will have to be made that will affect everyone.

I look forward to seeing members and guests at the July General Meeting.