Seven members from Unit 32 and seven from Unit 101 attended the WAVES National Region VII Conference held July 9-10, 1999 at the Holiday Inn North, Lexington, Kentucky. Julia Barrett, Shirley Croucher, Elizabeth Ehman, Ruth Gaerig, Barbara Grooters, Bettie Johnson and Mary Lou Unterburger represented Unit 32. Total attendance at the conference was 61.

Region VII includes 666 members from Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky and Michigan. This represents 12% of the 6003 national membership. 244 are from Ohio, 206 from Michigan, 100 from Illinois, 66 from Indiana and 50 from Kentucky.

The meetings were chaired by Region VII Representive Victoria Lisenbee from Unit 101. She read a greeting from WN President Jan Roy, and stressed that regional conferences are members’ chance to participate in national business. WN Secretary Shirley Lightle and WN Treasurer Gloria Galati were in attendance, as was past Region VII Representative Betty McIntosh of Bluegrass Unit #129, Kentucky, Ginny Hanson of Unit 118, Rhode Island, and Elma Blowers of Unit 9, Massachusetts.

Among the items of business discussed at the morning session were: reinstatement of life membership (there are 550 life members at present); revision of the Manual of Procedure; name change of organization; voting by mail for national officers; qualifications of candidate for national president; bylaw revisions and budget. WN 2000 National Convention Chair, Jeanne Clough, reported on plans for the convention at the Renaissance Hotel, Cleveland, OH, September 5-9, 2000.

A "Bell" ceremony was held for departed members. Ruth Gaerig and Shirley Croucher represented Unit 32 for Charlotte Volland and Charlotte Eddy. The morning session also celebrated the birthdays of Julia Barrett and Shirley Lightle, Saturday and Sunday, respectively. They were given their choice of door prizes. Many of our Michigan delegates won door prizes, and Mary Lou Untenburger won the featured raffle prize.

Louise Dutt, Ph.D., reviewed "The Greatest Generation," by Tom Brokaw at the afternoon program which also included time to share humorous experiences while in service. Following the Saturday night banquet, Mary Marxen presented an inspirational talk set to music and comedy, "Loving Life Today Through Laughter and Song."

Treasurer, Pat Saint Amour, reminds us that dues for 2000-2001 are payable now.

Unit 32 dues are $10 and WAVES National dues $10. SHORELINES and WHITE CAPS subscriptions included in dues.. (Reminder: Please keep us informed of address changes.)