Doll News Summer 2017 - 5

President's Message
Thoughts from the Doll Room

I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought,
and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder
G.K. Chesterton

s my term as President approaches its conclusion I reﬂect
on the past eight years with great pride for all that has been
accomplished. Our organization continues to develop in new
ways and the future of UFDC is full of promise and growth.
During the past eight years I have witnessed the creation of standing
committees that deal with membership, fundraising and collection issues. A new website was introduced
at the beginning of my journey as an ofﬁcer, and soon a brand new website will be introduced. Our
UFDC Museum has had a facelift, and we have received exciting donations that have completely
changed the direction for this important part of our organization. A new curatorial position was created
to allow us to better manage our inventories and care for our collection. This position also allows the
UFDC Museum to be open on Saturdays. Our ﬁrst symposium was held in the fall and another one is
planned for this year. We are updating and improving our ofﬁce management systems so that we can
run our ofﬁce more efﬁciently and give our members easier access to our shop, convention material and
online membership payments. The list goes on and the work continues. This has all been done with no
fee increases to our membership in over ten years, which is remarkable.
The magazine that you are now reading has also evolved over the past eight years. Michael Canadas
and David Robinson introduced changes in the format and size of the magazine and this has been
continued by the editors who followed them: Denise Buese, Laurie McGill and our present Editor,
Cynthia Musser. It has been a privilege to work with an editor of Cynthia's calibre, and like all our
members, I cannot wait until the latest issue of DOLL NEWS arrives at my door. I thank Cynthia and her
wonderful staff for the superlative job they do with each and every issue.
I also would like to recognize all the ofﬁcers I have served with. I have learned from each and every
one of them. I was fortunate to have Linda Edward as my predecessor as she was an exemplary role
model as President. The current ofﬁcers and myself share the same vision for a strong and growing
organization; and Loretta, Barbara and Maryll are all extremely dedicated to the UFDC. I look forward
to watching their achievements, and I know all our members will support them in the demanding roles
they have taken on.
The UFDC is an organization that is truly dependent on the army of volunteers that contribute to it in
so many diverse ways. Many have done so for decades and some have just begun their volunteer roles.
To each I say thank you. Without you we could not be the organization that we are.
So many thanks are also owed to so many who work on behalf of our organization in their local areas
and regions. To our Regional Directors, our Club Presidents and to all our members, I salute each and
every one of you. You support the organization with your time, your donations and your dedication to
our hobby. You are the true heart and soul of the UFDC and we value and need each one of you.
It has been an honor and privilege to represent this incredible organization as its President. I thank
you all for the trust you have placed in me and the support you have shown. It has truly been the most
incredible journey of my life.
Until we meet again,
Your President,

Janet
DOLL NEWS * UFDC.ORG

http://ufdc.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Doll News Summer 2017