PUT IT DOWN! 

Thank you from John Svensson...

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the membership of the DSAA for the privilege of serving as your President for the past two years.

There are a lot of people, all volunteers, needed to make the DSAA function effectively. To all of you, I am in your debt. However, the whole process begins with you, the membership, whose continued support and belief in the organization provides the mandate that propels us forward.

Beginning with our founding members, each successive administration has diligently set the policies and procedures in place that now form the foundation upon which we continue to incrementally build the DSAA ever higher. So, to all our Past Presidents, thank you for your leadership, vision and perseverance; working with your boards to innovate and overcome the inevitable myriad of challenges along the way. Your efforts continue to positively influence the DSAA on a daily basis in its quest to provide value, service and resources to its membership and achieve positive road safety outcomes for our society.

As with every president before me, I have a special fondness in my heart for those who have served with me and without whom none of our accomplishments would have been possible. For some, merely surviving the most serious recession in our lifetime may seem accomplishment enough. However, with your indulgence, I would like to touch upon just a few highlights from the 50+ projects and subprojects undertaken by this ambitious cadre of school-owner volunteers and, in many cases, their extended families and staff.

• The DSAA has moved to the "cloud". Members can now interact with the DSAA online and in real-time through our Association Management Software System. Members can create and update their personal data; complete membership applications and renewals; register for conferences, seminars, workshops and courses; and finalize transactions through our online payment system. There are many additional features to be rolled out in the future and The DSAA is also making its exceptional merchant account rates for credit card processing available to all members.
• You are reading this article in the DSAA e-Bulletin, a convenient, easy-to-read format designed to improve our communications and access to resources for members, sponsors and partners.
• The National Standards Document was released by NHTSA titled: "Novice Teen Driver Education and Training Administrative Standards". The DSAA had significant input into this landmark document that represents the first serious re-examination of novice teen driver education and training in over 50 years. Several states have already undergone a voluntary audit of their delivery system, as measured against these standards. Several more are in the works and the DSAA has been privileged to have a representative on the audit team. These standards will have a significant impact on the delivery of novice teen driver education and training for many years to come.
• "Safe Teen and Novice Driver Uniform Protection Act of 2009" or the `STANDUP Act' is introduced. This act that seeks to raise the learner's permit age to 16 on a national basis will have a significant impact on the current delivery of novice teen driver education and training. The DSAA has met with many stakeholders and legislators at all levels of government, including the Bill's authors, and continues to monitor developments closely.
• The DSAA Five Year Strategic Plan has been developed and adopted as a roadmap for the future.
• The DSAA National Standardized Student Assessment Project is underway which seeks to provide a standardized on-road driver assessment for graduates of novice driver education and training programs across North America. Evaluator training programs have already been provided in Louisiana, Michigan and Ontario, with Ohio scheduled in March 2011, with many more to come.
• Much of the DSAA's future success will rely upon its relationships and its ability to build successful strategic partnerships. To this end, the DSAA has established many new relationships and partnerships as well as strengthened its existing ones: politically, organizationally and corporately.
• The DSAA Accredited School and Student Certification System and National Auto Insurance Project are on the launch pad.

Efforts to expand and refine DSAA initiatives continue at a frenetic pace under our new President, Sharon Fife.

Be assured that The DSAA is in excellent hands with Sharon. Sharon has my unequivocal support and admiration. I am confident that she will also enjoy the same enthusiastic support, from her board and the membership at large, that I experienced during my tenure. I predict that great things are in store for the DSAA.