Our 48th convention was a great success. Joyce Mitchell and Judy Muzzi and their team of workers - Congratulations on a job well done. Many thanks to our dedicated staff, Beverly and Joyce, for putting the convention together and looking after the details and Beverly deserves a medal for looking after all of us at the Delta Inn in Kitchener.

Our slate of officers is:

Past President, Judy Muzzi
President, Marie M. Smith
1st Vice President, Ken Cunningham
2nd Vice President, Joyce Mitchell
Secretary, Ruth Peters
Treasurer, Roy Kerr

Board members who were re-elected are: Dorothy Kelley, Bill Flavell, George Crites. Newly elected board members are: Peggy Hawthorn, Susanne Robarts and Richard Kratz.

I am looking forward to working with each one as we begin our new year. Each Board Member has a wealth of knowledge and wisdom that will benefit the USCO.

Vic Bird, we will miss you and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all you have given and contributed to this organization. Look after your health, Vic, and keep in touch.

June Morden, thank you for your help and continued support. I look forward to working with you as a Field Rep and reading your reports.

Each Board Member has been an asset to the USCO and I thank each one of you for your hours of volunteer work. To all the members, thanks for all you do for your clubs and all you do for the USCO. I know you volunteer a lot of hours for the betterment of seniors.

I plan to keep you up-to-date on the government meetings we attend so you know what we are doing on your behalf. It is too early to report much in this message. I attended two meetings on Bill 102 but as yet have no report to give. I also attended a MPAC meeting and there is no exciting news, but they are working on our assessments. This Thursday, 1st Vice President Ken Cunningham and I will attend a meeting regarding Housing.

The National Pensioners and Senior Citizens Federation Convention is in Truro, Nova Scotia from September 18 until the 23rd. Your Federal Resolutions will be voted on at that time. The ones passed will be made into a brief to be given to the Federal Government.

Our Provincial Resolutions that you passed at the Kitchener Convention will be made into a brief which we will present to the Ontario Government for a reply.

I am looking forward to reading your meeting reports in The Voice. I also find them so interesting and this is where I get new ideas. Thank you for reporting.

If you wish for me, or our Executive or Board Members to speak to your club or Rally, please put your request in writing to the office. A map of how to get there and what you wish us to speak on is always helpful. (All requests should be in writing.)

Have a great fall and God Bless.

Marie M. Smith