All Advisors and Board Members:
I hope that you had a restful holiday season and are now back on track for a prosperous 2006. I am writing today to let you know that since we last saw you folks, your National Office has been working hard to assure PRIDE Youth Programs members and the many partners we work with that we very much plan to be around another 29 years -- and hopefully beyond that as well!
The Board of Directors and my staff have implemented many changes over the past few years to insure that PRIDE Youth Programs is recognized across our great country asAmerica’s premier peer-to-peer prevention program.” There is not an event on a national level taking place that PRIDE Youth Programs is not invited to participate in. None of this could be possible if it were not for the great work that each of you is doing with your team, in your local area, and across your state.
We continue to update our Newsletter monthly and our Website seems to always be changing! I hope that you are keeping up with these changes by viewing our Website often.
Our PRIDE 2006 Conference is shaping up wonderfully, and the addition of our new and revised National Team promises to be a huge success for our upcoming event. A big “Thank You” to all of you advisors who helped shape the direction of the National PRIDE Team. Congratulations to all 34 PRIDE team members who were selected and to the many others who applied. I want to reassure you that this National Team represents you and your local teams first; the National Team is second.
I also want to take this opportunity to introduce our new National Director, Mr. Tony Polasek. Tony has been with PRIDE Youth Programs for a few months serving as our National Program Coordinator. Tony’s main role in his new position is to work with advisors around the country and to oversee the Youth Department here. Tony has many years experience working with youth in a variety of different ways, including coaching and with church youth groups. His rock solid character and his warm personality will make it very easy for you to call and seek assistance from him. I encourage you to do just that. Give him a call and get acquainted or send him an e-mail. All of us here wish Becky Alderton-Pollack, Tony’s predecessor, a lot of success as she moves on and starts her new marriage, as well as in her future studies.
Please feel free to call on any of us anytime. I am looking forward to visiting many of your sites in 2006. Please, if you have an event or are planning a high profile fundraiser for your team, just contact my assistant, Nancy. Or you can send me an invitation andNancywill do her best to get you on my schedule so I can visit as many of you as possible.
We have made it easy for you to contact any of my staff via email: all you have to do is remember their first name and add @prideyouthprograms.org. If you don’t know the name of the person you need to contact, just send your question to info@ . . . and someone will get back with you right away.
I wish all of you a Healthy and Happy New Year!
Warm Regards,
Jay
