A Letter from the Chair
Charles Bailey
University of Memphis

Greetings! I hope that your Fall term has been pleasant and profitable. Let me take this opportunity to talk about a few key ABO section activities. But first, let me thank Stacey Whitecotton for keeping me on track as the incoming Chair, and thank all of the ABO Executive Board for their contributions to the past year's activities. I hope to see the coming year be just as productive.

Probably the most important decision to emerge from the Board meeting on October was to pursue having two annual issues of BRIA instead of one. Not only could the journal accommodate more articles, but such a change should enhance the journal's recognition in citation indexes, on library shelves, and in the public eye, by making it a periodical rather than an annual. The incoming editor, Bryan Church, would be largely responsible for the transition. Please contact Bryan (bchurch@yakko.mgt.gatech.edu) or me if you have thoughts on the subject.

Close behind in the momentous-decision department was a consensus that the cocktail reception at the Annual Meeting in Orlando was a smashing success, and that it should be a regular feature at annual meetings.

The Research Conference in Chicago, October 15-16, went very smoothly, thanks to Rich Houston's oversight and planning. Please check the submission deadlines to prepare for next year's conference in Atlanta. Lynn Hannan is working on the details. Likewise, please note the deadline for the Annual Meeting San Francisco.

Many thanks are due Charles Davis for hosting and managing the ABO website on the Baylor server ever since its inception. He will continue for the coming months, but notes that "we may need to look into a succession plan." I understand that AAA headquarters is now able to host section websites on their Windows-based server. If you are a candidate for the webmaster's job, please let me know.

I note that we have 23 syllabi for Ph.D. seminars on our website, contributed in response to Stacey's request. Please keep them coming, and updated. This is a great resource.

Finally, let me call for your input as to worthwhile projects and initiatives. Where would you like to see me direct my efforts in new directions, since the various committees and regional coordinators have most of the current, routine work well in hand.

Happy Holidays and Best Wishes to you all!