Karen Croneis
kcroneis@bama.ua.edu

Many thanks to everyone who made the 2002 Annual Conference such a great success! The organizers, presenters, and attendees worked together in the best PAM fashion to create an informative (and fun!) time for all in Los Angeles. Highlights of various sessions are in this issue. For more details, please see PAM's website.

The entire 2001-2002 year was a terrific one for PAM, thanks to the efforts of many people. At the top of the list is Kris Fowler, outgoing PAM Chair and program planner extraordinaire. Please join me in extending sincere thanks and appreciation to Kris for her leadership of PAM. Her stellar work has been recognized at the top levels of SLA—and rewarded with appointment to the 2004 (Nashville) Annual Conference Planning Committee. Congratulations, Kris! In addition to serving SLA this coming year, Kris will continue on the PAM Executive Board as Past Chair.

I am also grateful to this year's Past Chair Jane Holmquist for her counsel and unending support. During the year and also in Los Angeles, her assistance was invaluable and reminded me again what "service" means. Thanks to outgoing Treasurer Michael Fosmire who has kept PAM both solvent and legal these past two years. I'm looking forward to working with him this coming year in his new role as Chair-Elect. Kudos also to Laurel Kristick who served her first year as secretary last year. In this new year, I know I can count on her to provide continuity and a valuable perspective to PAM and the PAM Board. I'm delighted to welcome Alison Verbeck as PAM's new treasurer. Her experience as treasurer of the St. Louis Chapter will be especially useful.

Please watch your mail and email for two specific items: SLA bylaws and PAM’s Strategic Plan.

1) As many of you know, "bylaws" was the big topic at the Annual Business Meeting held June 12 in Los Angeles. At that session, it was decided that the full voting membership of SLA should vote to approve or reject the proposed new by­laws. A copy of the current bylaws revision can be viewed at http://www.sla.org.

In accordance with the current bylaws, SLA will send a mail ballot to each voting member on August 15. Ballots must be returned to SLA by October 1. The Board will ratify the results of the mail ballot at its meeting on October 25. If the membership approves the revised bylaws, they will be implemented November 1. Please be sure to vote on this important issue.

2) In the coming months, members of the PAM Strategic Planning Committee will be asking for your input as they update PAM's strategic plan for the coming three years.

There are still opportunities to participate in PAM activities, including serving on committees. If you are interested in volunteering or want to share comments and suggestions, please let me know. I look forward to another busy and productive year in PAM!