The six and one-half months that I have served in filling the presidential position after the unexpected death of Johnny Davis is rapidly drawing to a close. On Tuesday, March 30th, I am looking forward to seeing many of you at our 2010 Annual Meeting in Montgomery. Our membership has increased to a record level this year, and we are expecting a record attendance at this year’s meeting. Also, equally important as we gather is the great

fellowship of seeing longtime friends and making new acquaintances.

Plans for our Annual Meeting are complete with NEA Vice President Lily Eskelsen as the morning speaker and Dr. Shelly Stewart, a motivational speaker, as the luncheon speaker. Updates on various association programs will also be presented. As noted elsewhere in this issue, three constitutional amendments will be presented for consideration.

The three area Lobbying Network Meetings were a success thanks to our many dedicated members. We need to remember the commitment each of us made to be available to work in the 2010 legislative races to help elect and re-elect friends and supporters of public education, and also to help protect our health benefits.

Great progress has been the key for the association this year as we have continued to be a leader among the state retired educator associations at the national level. AERA was recognized as the leader in membership growth, an outstanding magazine (The AERA Voice!), the AERA web site, and our community service projects. This could not have been accomplished without our supportive members, our dedicated board of directors, our capable office staff, and our hard working area coordinators. Accolades to all involved! Check us out on our web site, Facebook, and YouTube.

Attending two TRS/PEEHIP Board Meetings during my tenure has helped me to have a greater appreciation for the dedication of our elected board members and the work of the TRS/PEEHIP staff in spending hours striving to arrive at the best ways to meet the challenges with reduced funding due to the downturn in the economy. May we continue to keep TRS/PEEHIP benefits the envy of education retiree associations throughout the nation!

The experiences as your president these last few months have been rewarding and a pleasure. I look forward to continuing my service as I move back to completing the remainder of my elected two-year term as vice president beginning April 1^st.

Sincerely,

Charles E. Smith

AERA State President

District Directors

Effective April 1, 2009