Colleagues –

In these difficult times, we're often overwhelmed by challenges just to keep our institutions healthy. Most of us are working harder than ever in our jobs. So, it's easy to lose sight of the truly wonderful things museums and the people in them do.

At the Western Museums Association Annual Meeting we intend to rectify that. Beyond our continuing education and networking, the Annual Meeting is a celebration of the fine work we as museum professionals do every day.

To that end, the WMA has several awards designed to recognize some of these special people -- the Charles Redd Award for Exhibition Excellence that acknowledges a temporary exhibition on some aspect of the West; the Director's Chair, which celebrates an individual who has made very special contributions to the museum world; and the Wanda Chin Scholarship that provides funds for individuals who would otherwise not be able to attend our meeting.

I urge you to nominate a special exhibit, a senior member of the museum community, and a beginning professional for each of these awards. Now, more than ever, we need to remember our ultimate goals -- constantly improving our museums and developing the very finest staffs.

I thank each of you for considering making several nominations.

Aldona Jonaitis
President, WMA