by Carl McCoy
Meetings and seminars on fascinating topics, social gatherings, tours, and all-around good fellowship are just a few of the components of ACB's national convention. The 2005 convention will take place in Las Vegas, Nev., from July 2 through 9. The Durward K. McDaniel Fund Committee offers you the chance to throw your name into the hat from which two lucky winners will be selected to receive an all-expense-paid trip to the convention this summer.
Durward McDaniel was the driving force who held this organization together during its formative years. He worked tirelessly for ACB, and his forte was membership development. One of his main goals was to increase the membership of ACB. The McDaniel Fund Committee, named in his honor, has the same goal. Since he always said that people are our greatest resource, we decided to sponsor the McDaniel First-Timers' Contest, which brings two new people -- one from each side of the Mississippi -- to each national convention, where their leadership skills will have a chance to blossom and grow. If you're interested, read on!
If you have been active in your state or local organization, send us a biographical sketch, so that we will know something about you. Then, approach your state affiliate president and ask him or her to write a letter of recommendation for you. Send your documentation to the Durward K. McDaniel Fund Committee, in care of the ACB national office, 1155 15th Street NW, Suite 1004, Washington, DC 20005. Be sure to get all your documentation in by April 15, 2005. Letters carrying a later postmark will be ignored.
You will be notified in plenty of time to make your reservations if you win. If you have never been to a convention, I can tell you it will be a tremendous experience. If you have attended conventions before, you already know how great that is. Describe convention to your friends who have not had that good fortune! (Hint: you'll need a good pair of walking shoes.)