PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE 
By Lisa Russell Hahn

Ah Spring! The definition is so apt to the current activity that is CLEAR. "A time or season of growth or development", with synonyms such as arise, originate, derive, flow, issue and proceed. Yes, there is a great deal underway in our organization's life cycle that I want to share in this issue of CLEAR News with our members and guests to our Website.

The mid-year meeting in San Diego was great! Hard work and conviviality combined to outline a program for the annual meeting in San Antonio, and to develop ideas and initiatives to broaden our membership base and usefulness to the regulatory community. As part of these efforts the Leadership Resource Group, made up of past presidents, as well as the Executive Leadership Training group met to develop their strategies for the coming year.

The annual conference flyer will be distributed in April that illustrates the fruits of the labors in San Diego. The program subcommittees made special efforts to make a number of sessions more reflective of the international community, and identified those sessions that are of particular interest to persons enrolled in the revamped Board Training Program. Of special significance to me is our plan to honor Dr. Benjamin Shimberg at the Opening Session of our annual meeting. Ben has been a revered member of the regulatory community for decades. As a founder of CLEAR, a prolific author, and a thoughtful mentor to many, I am delighted that we will be able to demonstrate our thanks for his immeasurable contributions.

The Website is " a work in progress". Recent changes include the addition of a Job Bank in the Members-Only section as well as the development of an area to post other organizations meetings. Plus, staff has been directed to continue to add past CLEAR publications for on-line use.

Throughout this newsletter there are notices of interest to all that actively participant in CLEAR; call for nominations for the Board of Directors; call for nominations for the Annual Awards; and, the solicitation of manuscripts for CLEAR publications.

An effort spearheaded by the Exam Resources and Advisory Committee led to the distribution of over three thousand flyers to increase the number of subscriptions to CLEAR Exam Review. This is an excellent journal that deserves a wider audience.

We are continuing to schedule the popular NCIT programs. Courses will be offered in Sacramento, Madison and San Antonio, with several other sites under consideration. Also, a project to expand the NCIT examination data bank is nearing completion. A hearty thanks to those who have worked on this important effort.

Finally, a Board Member Retreat has been scheduled in May to bring together the members for an educational and team building seminar. As this column points out we are busy at CLEAR, and in order to improve and grow we must sow the seeds of cooperation and nurture this dynamic organization.

Have a wonderful Spring!

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