Greetings fellow Freethinkers,

The annual membership meeting and elections concluded yesterday.  Congratulations to all of our new board members and re-elected VP, Susan!  Most clubs have to beg members to fill leadership positions. It’s great that we have so many dedicated volunteers who want to step forward and make a difference.  Unfortunately, of the 12 outstanding board nominees we could only select 7.   We look forward to our board runner-ups and regular members serving on some of our newly forming committees. There’s plenty of work to go around!

We’re looking forward to an exciting year ahead.  The new board will be meeting formally withing the next few weeks.  Our first order of business will be to fill the remaining Officer positions and Committee chairs.  The bylaws define the various duties of the committees.  Take a look, and see how you can help.  We’ve got big plans for expanded educational and social events, and we’ll be looking for your inputs and help to make them happen.  It’s going to be a great new year of growth, learning. and fun!

Finally, I’d like to recognize and extend our gratitude to our past president and founder, Tod Billings.  Tod started this organization back in 1994, and kept it going during lean times.  In 2008 the group merged with the Central Arkansas Freethinkers and Arkansas Atheists, and Tod was elected President, forming the group we know today.  Tod was instrumental in the legal battle to get our Winter Solstice Display on the state capitol lawn.  He’s also well known for his knowledgeable lectures on evolutionary biology, and his biblical knowledge in his scathing take-no-prisoners debates with theists.  Tod now takes the honorary ExOfficio advisory position to the Board for this upcoming term.

Dave Bentley