I want to share with you the great pride I have in the hard-working members of the Central Texas Chapter of NFBPA.  It was only about three years ago that we were struggling to return to active status.  In a very short period of time we have made huge strides in membership, professional development, corporate partnerships, and building a solid reputation both locally and nationally.

Last week, we attended the 2011 Forum in Chicago and the Central Texas Chapter was well-represented.  There were world-class presenters, workshops, public policy forums, and networking events.  I am proud to announce that the Central Texas Chapter won the coveted Chapter of the Year Award in the medium-sized chapter category.  We competed against four other chapters (Metro Atlanta, Houston, North Texas, and Oakland).  In order to win, we had to excel in the areas of Membership, Professional Development, Corporate Involvement and Community Engagement, Technology, and Sustainability.

Congratulations are extended to Anthony Snipes who received the Distinguished Service Award from the National Board of Directors.  This is a well-deserved award, and certainly is evident in the service he provides to our community and the Central Texas Chapter.  We are blessed to have him on our team!

We are also the winner of the 2010 Membership Award for medium-sized chapters that recruited the most new members.  We will receive two registrations to the 2012 Forum in Virginia Beach.

Finally, we were the first-place winners of the Steppin’ Contest at All Chapter’s Night.  The “Distinguished Austin Trio” — Anthony Snipes, Mallinee Diggs and Janis Ansley “wowed” the audience and judges with an elegant routine that was choreographed by Cheryl Knockless. These folks worked very hard on their routine and it showed.  Thank you Anthony, Mallinee and Janis for your grace and elegance and thank you Ms. Knockless, who is not a member, for volunteering your time and talent.

I have attached a copy of the Chapter of the Year Application we submitted for the competition.

“What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal” – Albert Pike

Thanks everyone!

Deborah E. Britton, President