ANNAPOLIS, MD (June 10, 2009) —
From the Desk of Maura Walden, LAA Board President

Dear LAA Graduates and Community Members —

Thank you to all of our graduates and community members who provided us with input on the organization during our recent survey and focus group sessions. We recognize organizational challenges and intend to stay connected with you while moving forward with a purposeful sense of transparency. Your input was critical in shaping the future of LAA and in the Executive Director Search process.

Taking the results of our feedback and data collection efforts, the staff and appropriate board committees assessed all areas of the organization and determined next steps. I presented the findings and resulting action plans on April 9th at our State of LAA Event held at Homestead Gardens. Clearly, the staff, Board of Directors, and our volunteers are focused on the success of our organization. If you were unable to join us for the evening, please take time to view the event presentation by clicking on the following link: http://www.leadershipaa.org/Connect/events.html. You will notice our new look, courtesy of Dave Cyphers of The Cyphers Agency and our Marketing Committee. We are thrilled with it, and see it as the beginning of a new era for Leadership Anne Arundel.

As we begin a new year with new leadership, I hope you will help us to celebrate and welcome 59 new members into the Leadership Anne Arundel Family. Please join us at our new "Tribute to Leadership" event on June 30, 2009 at the Chesapeake Arts Center in Brooklyn Park. We have redesigned the event and have made it more interactive and accessible to everyone who would like to attend. Watch for your invitation in the mail, or you can purchase tickets online at http://www.leadershipaa.org/gradtickets.html.

As my term as LAA's Board President draws to an end, I would like to thank all of our members, the Board of Directors, the staff, our volunteers, our sponsors, and the community for giving me the opportunity to serve in this role. I look forward to working with Jackie Colestock, our new president and Patrick Lee our new Executive Director as together we continue in our efforts to develop and nurture community trustees who improve the quality of life in Anne Arundel County.

Respectfully,
Maura Walden
LAA Board President, 2008-2009