I want to thank everybody for your confidence in voting me your new President of the Monterey Bay Association of Health Underwriters. Following the footsteps of Jim Goodacre and Ward McKalson is not an easy task and my feet cannot fill their shoes but I will do my best. To assist our organization in that regard we have hired PESC, the executive assistant agency that we had working for us in our first year under Past President Ward McKalson. They will be taking most of the "grunt" work out of the board positions, helping with the Treasury, setting up the meetings and contacting sponsors and newsletters as well as website maintenance. As such, if any one feels the urge to step up and serve on the Board, we could use your input. Our industry is being attacked at both the national and state level and if our next President is Barrack Obama, one of his major goals is to eliminate your jobs and institute national health care. We know the devastation, harm, sickness and death that would cause to the American public. We also know your jobs would wash away. If ever there was a time you needed to step up to the plate to save your jobs, it is now. In the next few months we most likely WILL be fighting for our survival like never before. We have always had attacks on our livelihood, but if you don't help us to try to fight for you jobs now, you will lose them. So, please, give one of the board members a call and step up. If you know an agent not paying his or her dues, get them to join and pay up. Because they are already members. Everyone who sells health insurance, DI insurance, LTC insurance, group benefits and dental coverage is a member of NAHU. But they are letting you carry them and foot the bill for them. Get them to join NAHU, it is only fair we all share the load.

We are working hard on bringing you great speakers and CE every month and you would be doing yourself a favor to attend one of your NAHU lunches that we have for you. For $ 20 or thereabouts you get a great speaker with some needed information for your business, CE and a chance to network with your peers. I hope to see you either in Monterey or Santa Cruz for lunch. This month's lunch in Santa Cruz will be a fascinating discussion on the topics I mentioned earlier. How the government is trying to screw up your business and the lives of Californians. Be informed. Come to lunch. See you there.

Respectfully,
Pat