President's Message:

     Truly, I am honored and it is my privilege to serve as your next President.  Certainly I have a hard act to follow.  Mark did an excellent job, his can do attitude and willingness to work hard for the NAAWS has advanced the association in many areas.  NAAWS is an association steeped in great history.  As a NAAWS Officer for the past 12 years and a member for over 20, I have seen our association grow and prosper.  From a small but dedicated group of men and women NAAWS has grown into an internationally respected association of over 1200 members from all facets of corrections.

     I agree with Mark that Art has done an excellent job of advancing NAAWS and conducting the business of the association.  This man on a mission is the glue that holds NAAWS together.  His perseverance and leadership skills have led us to where we are today.  Certainly Gloria and Pat have added outstanding organizational skills and excellent vendor support to help us accomplish our goals.  We all know that an association of Wardens is a group of individual leaders, not always easy to keep going in the same direction, but NAAWS staff have done a fantastic job!

        Don Hutto said it best when he commented in Memphis “You can always tell a Warden coming when you see him, you just can’t tell him anything”.   We have learned though through our association that the more we talk the more we realize the many things we have in common.  Whether you are in a cell block, a dorm, the yard, or an office we share common values.   We are charged to protect the Public we serve, our staff who put themselves on the line everyday, and the incarcerated felons who are put in our charge.

     In our recent past we have strengthened our relationship with ACA,  put on excellent conferences, developed relationships with Correctional leaders, presented workshops on Correctional Management,  published training materials for Wardens everywhere, built playgrounds for those areas devastated by Katrina, and given a voice for Wardens/Superintendents.  Much has been accomplished and more can be done with your help.

     My goals for NAAWS are mainly to help us continue to grow and prosper.  With member input and the NAAWS Staff support we can:

• Expand membership;

1. Reconnect with our friends in Canada
   
2. Continue to reach out to all Administrators throughout the country

• Develop training opportunities;

1. Canvas membership and agency heads to discern training needs
   
2. Develop, offer, and present training at all levels

• Tap the resources of our membership;

1. Communicate with our members to ask what they each can offer

• Influence Correction Policy makers;

1. Continue to make contact with and strengthen our relationships
   
2. Reach out to other agency heads and policy makers

•  Reach out to the Communities that we serve;

1. Follow Marks direction and formalize Make A Smile
   
2. Identify and acknowledge accomplished community projects

After the great success of  our conference in Memphis I look forward to Niagara Falls on April 25^th of next year. There will be excellent training offered and a great place to bring the whole family- The Falls.  I welcome your ideas and input.  You can contact me anytime at MELNAAWS@aol.com.  Together, with God’s help, we can make a difference!