Dear MSES Members:

     First, I must bring something to your attention, then on to other news. 

     At the Dec. 5, 2007 Executive Committee Meeting, an in depth review, line-by-line of the financial status of MSES was discussed by this group. For the past 107 years the main goal of MSES is to provide scholarships for students in the transportation industry. The organization has undergone increasing operating costs similar to all businesses.  Operating costs and a portion of scholarships are financed from annual dues, fees, raffles, and donations for the Fall Outing, Spring Golf Outing, and the Annual Meeting. However, for the past several years, fewer members have been paying their Annual Dues, (many have outstanding years), and fewer are attending the Fall Outing and the Annual Meeting.  Thus we have less income to cover operating costs and any extra amount we can add to the scholarships we award each year.  (As you have noticed, as a cost-savings measure, the Scholarship Report and January Mailing have been combined.)

    As a result of the Executive Committee review, we are requesting the following from all MSES members, if you can help us out at any level:
     1. Please pay current 2007 and all dues owed in unpaid years if applicable to you by Feb. 15, 2008 (your statement lists your dues status, and other information – please include your email address and send the entire sheet with your payment); 
     2.  Please make a General Donation to MSES for 2007;
     3.  Please take the time to complete and return the enclosed ballot to increase the Annual Dues to $40.00 per year effective January 1, 2009;
     4.  Please register yourself and a friend to attend the MSES Annual Meeting February 19, 2008. We are excited to host Project Manager Peter Sanderson of Flatiron-Manson Joint Venture speak about the new I-35W Bridge at the Sheraton 4Points of Minneapolis.  (link); 

     Thank you for your continued support of MSES - we welcome your active participation at all MSES events. 

     Regarding other business, events of the society:
     1. Please mark your Ballot for MSES 2008-09 officers and return to the MSES office by February 15, 2008, with your dues in the enclosed envelope.  The ballots will be counted by a teller committee with results to be announced at the Annual Meeting February 19th;
     2. The 2007 Scholarship Report lists the current scholarship recipients, generous donors, committee members, and opportunity to give to the Scholarship Fund.  If you date your check by Dec. 31st, even though it will be deposited in January, you can count it in your 2007 tax-deductible donations;
     3. In January, expect a Fall Outing survey sent via email; we want opinions from those who don’t attend and those who do – be frank in your answers.  We want more people to look forward to the Fall Outing! 

    Finally, thank all of you for allowing me to serve as your President this past year.  It was a pleasure and honor.

     Our organization depends on its membership and the members’ participation.  Keep the great work continuing!  Encourage engineers, surveyors and others to join and sustain this Society.  We will benefit, and the future of our scholarship program will grow and flourish. 

     On behalf of the Board of Directors, I thank you for your participation in this fine organization and for your continued support.  We can take pride in our accomplishments and be confident that we are helping to shape our industry’s future. 

Gary W. Clark, MSES President 2007-08