One thing I would like to share with everyone is that at JALT (the Japan Association for Language Teaching) we finally took advantage of the complimentary TESOL memberships that affiliates are entitled to receive. We have nearly 3,000 members in our organization, and a great number of these members are very active in planning events, creating publications, or managing chapters, SIGs, and special projects. Because of this, it was very difficult at the national level to choose anyone to be honored with a complimentary TESOL membership because there were so many deserving recipients.

Fortunately, one of our grassroots programs, Best of JALT, has been revitalized in recent years. In Best of JALT each chapter and SIG (we have 35 local chapters and 26 SIGs) can nominate a presentation or a journal article to be designated “Best of JALT.” The honorees are presented with a certificate at a festive “Best of JALT” party at our annual international conference.

For JALT2011 we asked each Best of JALT recipient if he or she qualified for the complimentary membership. After the certificates were awarded we had a special drawing to choose eligible winners for the complimentary TESOL memberships. This system worked out very well, and we were glad to promote TESOL as well as add a fillip to the presentation ceremony.

In addition, in the past year we have started many strategic projects, such as a mission statement, vision statements, new documentation for officers, and other internal management initiatives. A large part of this renewal has been the many ideas that have sprung forth after meeting the affiliate leaders at TESOL 2011 and finding out how other organizations are managing themselves.

In closing I would like to give deep thanks to the ALC and the TESOL Board for providing complimentary registration for the 2012 TESOL Convention. See you soon at TESOL 2012!