First of all, thank you for giving me the honor and privilege of serving as your President of the ASOG.

I wanted you to know that your ASOG board and committee chairs are off and running!  The 2011-2012 board orientation was held June 1, 2011 from 10:00-12:00 at Fitzgerald Hall.  New board members Larry Burton, Jane McKinney and Rich Tripodi were welcomed. Mary Wildgen reviewed the revised Bylaws and policies and procedures.  Dale Ronnel reviewed the budget for 2011-2012.
 

The dates for the ASOG Board meetings were presented as well as the dates for the ASOG General Membership meetings. The ASOG Fall luncheon will be Sept. 8, 2011, at 11:30 a.m. at the Little Rock Country Club.  The general membership meetings will be on the second Thursday of the month, some at lunch and some at 4:30 p.m.  

It was decided that we give the option to our members of making a reservation for a box lunch for $10, bringing their own lunch or just coming to the meeting.  The 2 meetings after work (4:30 p.m.) will be geared towards getting to know each other with a music program and general announcements. We will not meet in December or February.  

I have established a Membership Task Force chaired by Phyllis Barrier and a Symphony Designer House task force chaired by Camille Williams for the purpose of looking at  these critical areas and reporting back to the Board in early fall with recommendations.  I am grateful to those who have agreed to serve on these task forces and look forward to their reports.
 

Sherry Shinn, Phyllis Barrier, Debbie Bass and Jeannette Straub visit about Member services of the ASOG

Larry Burton, Rich Tripodi, Mary Wildgen, Dale Ronnel, Jane McKinney, Phyllis Barrier, Betsy Hollingsworth, Camille Williams, Helen Vanlandingham, Betty Herron

 

Julie Cabe, Larry Burton and David Cato meet to discuss Musician Appreciation at ASOG retreat

After the board had lunch, committee chairs and some committee members joined us for sharing information and also to hear from Errin Dean, co-chair with her husband, David, of the Opus Ball to be held October 29, 2011 at the Capitol Hotel. Errin and David have made some great changes to the Opus Ball and will be calling on us to volunteer as the time draws near.

Maggie McKinney, Associate Director of Development of the ASO, gave us a list of all staff members with contact information.  Maggie is to serve as our liasison between the ASOG and ASO staff.  She encouraged us to contact her with any questions and stands ready to help us is any way.

I appreciate the time given by the ASOG board members /committee chairs and look forward to a busy and meaningful year as we continue our efforts to support the ASO.  

Have a safe and restful summer and we will see you September 8th.  Mark your calendars now!

Sincerely,

Betty Herron, President