You will see two $1,000 WAVES National (WN) Scholarship applications on pages 8-10 of this newsletter. Please note the deadline of March 15, 2004. Encourage your grandchildren & children to apply. This scholarship application will be printed again in the February 2004 WC and, will be available to download on-line from the WN web site. You may use the same application for both scholarships by photo copying the application. I take this opportunity to thank the family of Ann Marie Bianchi-Gagnon (deceased WW II WAVE) for their generous donation to set up the second scholarship for our organization. 

Are you a Member-at-Large? I encourage you to write a brief article for White Caps. Just because you are not affiliated with a unit does not mean that you cannot contribute to our publication. You are equally important to this organization and I hope that you are volunteering in your communities and getting the word out about who we are. Be sure to send in your volunteer hours to Dewann Beatson. Consider writing an article for your local media to see if there are other women veterans in your area. You are important! 

Things are coming together for our 2004 convention in Philadelphia, PA. I visited the area in October and can assure you that the Wyndham Philadelphia Hotel, meals and tours will be exceptional. I plan to hold a “Leadership Workshop” during the Unit Presidents/State Directors/Regional Representatives  meeting. Our leaders represent not only themselves,  but our organization as well. I am thrilled to announce that our guest speaker, during the President’s Banquet, will be United States Coast Guard Fifth District Commander, Rear Admiral Sally Brice-O’Hara, USCG.

Are you happy with the way the White Caps looks? Ida Duffy and I have tried to spruce up this publication with interesting articles and pictures, but we cannot do it alone. This newsletter is for all members. Please submit your ideas to Ida and me via regular mail or e-mail. Remember that if you have a problem with this publication or any other WN issue, you should also submit the proposed solution. 

The LIFE membership dues table is listed in this issue. Please cut it out or make copies for your unit members and be sure to keep a copy close at hand. 

I realize that not all regions hold conferences during the convention year. For those regions that are planning to hold a regional or state conference in 2004, please let Sharon Woods know as soon as you have a date and location. 

Mother Nature has wrecked havoc from coast to coast these last few months. Between hurricanes in the east and fires in the west I am certain that some of our members have been affected. If you have not heard from or accounted for all of your members, please check on them to see if they need any assistance. Women helping women! 

God bless our troops and God bless America! 

Always Navy, Barb
 

Thought for the day: “The greater the loyalty of a group toward the group, the greater is the motivation among the members to achieve the goals of the group, and the greater the probability that the group will achieve its goals.” Rensis Likert