Volume 34, #2

December, 2001

President's Letter

WFA Moving into the 21st Century

by William L. Willard, Sr.

First of all I want to thank our gracious hosts at the Emma Willard School in Troy, New York, for making this year's Reunion and Annual Meeting so successful. We spent the majority of our time on their beautiful Tudor-styled campus and enjoyed several excellent meals prepared in their own kitchen. The staff at Emma Willard and the Planning work done by Arlan and Kay Willard, together with the participation and interaction of the WFA members, all came together to make a great weekend

I want to thank you, the members, for electing me President for the next two years. I pledge to work with our Board and the membership to further the mission of the WFA. Do not hesitate to contact me or any Board member with your questions or suggestions. The Board members listed in this letter are those who were elected for two years at the July 28, 2001 annual meeting.

Our outgoing president, Arlan Willard, with continued support from his wife, Kay, served for four years, and provided WFA with steady direction and outstanding reunions. His work and contributions to the organization will be lasting. I am glad that Arlan will continue to be involved, serving on the Board and on the By-Laws Committee.

As times change, so must we. As many of you know, the WFA now has its own website. Director Rodney Willard is Webmaster, with assistance from Karen

Willard, also a Director. It contains a wealth of Willard information. I encourage all of you who have computers to visit www.discover.net/~rwillard/wfa.html which is constantly updated to bring you the latest news and family genealogical information. Thanks to our participation on the internet we have gained a number of new members. We answer queries on the Willard family almost daily. Also on the site is a list of other organizations that are helpful to those tracing their family roots. Check it out!

Another way your Association is moving into the 21st century is to take a new look at the Bylaws. A Bylaw committee is currently in the process of seeing what amendments are needed to make the WFA more efficient and up to date.

Sales of our new Willard Coverlet have exceeded expectations. Board member Lois Cooley suggested this project and has brought it to the final stage of a wonderful Willard keepsake. See note elsewhere in the newsletter about future orders.

Also look for an article about the Willard Memoir and the 1915 Willard Genealogy being available on CDs for your genealogical research.

We are already planning the 2002 Reunion and Annual Meeting, in Concord, Massachusetts, where our ancestor, Major Simon Willard, was one of the founders. The weekend will be Friday and Saturday, August 2 and 3.

Willard News is published twice a year by The Willard Family Association of America, inc. and edited by Marjorie W. Travis, 185 Grant Street, Lexington, MA 02420-2126. We invite your comments and suggestions. Send address changes (please include old address) to Marjorie.

To join WFA, send dues to Treasurer Jeremy Smith. Annual dues from July 1, 2001 to June 30, 2002 are $10. You may be a patron for $20 or become a Life Member for a one-time payment of $100. (See Treasurer's address with Board Members on next page.)