Recently, the NOBLE Executive Director and Vice President decided to hold a conference call to address the increased costs of the Annual Conference. Eventually, this resulted in the Executive Board voting to increase the cost of the Conference Registration fee for Members, eliminating the Past Presidents/Life Members Luncheon, and have Spouses pay an additional fee to attend the Awards Luncheon.  I am certain we all understand the need to ensure that NOBLE maintains its solid financial standing. As your elected Associate Member Representative (AMR), I did not vote in favor of any of these proposals. 

The increase in the Conference Registration fee for members will have a major impact on many Associate Members who attend the Conference without any financial support from their agency. Often times Associate Members who attend the Annual Conference spend well over $1,500.00.

Please know that I am committed to ensuring that the needs of Associate Members are always on the forefront. To that extent we must be mindful of the rights and responsibilities that we have as Associate Members.

Back in 1995, thanks to the steadfast commitment of the first and second NOBLE National Associate Member Representatives Rafaela Valdez and Frank Martin, as well as countless other members, Associate Members won the right to vote after relentless petition of Regular Members within our organization.

Any Associate Member in good financial standing has the right to cast their vote during the National Conference, without having to register for the Conference. Let us not take this for granted. This cannot be stressed enough--every Associate Member has the right and the responsibility to take part in the elections during our upcoming 32^nd Annual Training Conference and Exhibition this July in New York City!  Remember, if you don’t vote, we don’t have a voice.

Please take the time to peruse AMR newsletters to learn how vital your presence and participation is during the Annual Conference and by serving on one of our National Committees (click on link) http://noblenatl.org/displayboard.cfm?defaultdisplay=30409#30409