News from the President

I genuinely appreciate the opportunity to serve AUBER as president in the coming year. From my very first AUBER meeting, I have gained so much from actively participating in this group. Our conference in Tucson was about building partnerships. The single most valuable aspect of AUBER membership has to be the "connection" it provides with others who are seeking similar answers. While each center/bureau has its own special niche, each of us will eventually be asked a question that is not like the others with which we have so ably dealt in the past. Using the AUBER web site, or Cindy's familiar call to all AUBERites, I seek help, only to discover that the question is not a new one. With a bit of time, I satisfy the community/business leaders once again. As well, I have responded to these SOS e-mails and calls; it seems you always learn when you explain something to others.

At fall conferences, I want to hear the latest (from the best) on the national economy; I need to know about public policy changes and how they will affect my research and my clients; it's great to hear from others about best practice for economic outlooks; I love hearing about the research projects other units are doing; and all of us need to know about the DATA. Still, were you upset when the membership survey asked about cutting the famed AUBER field trip? It seems we all have more than we can do back at the office, and pressure abounds for us to cut costs wherever possible. But when I think of AUBER partnerships, I also think about the friendships I have made while riding (for too long) on the bus, or marveling at the engineering of the waterways in Vicksburg, or enjoying a boat ride to just about anywhere. With or without the special half-day excursion, what makes attending a fall conference more special than most is the opportunity to build friendships. I look forward to many more AUBER friendships.

I hope you enjoyed this year's program. Through dedicated effort, Rennae Daneshvary and Keith Schwer (both at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas) helped Marshall Vest (The University of Arizona) and me bring extraordinary people to Tucson. Thanks, too, to Stephen Smith (The University of Memphis)and all of the session chairs. The excellent attendance and enthusiastic participation is a tribute to Marshall and his host team's efforts. Thank you to Rich Wobbekind and Cindy DiPersio for the great job they do with the secretary/treasurer's office at the University of Colorado at Boulder and to the University of West Florida for our valuable web site. Maile Nadelhoffer (The University of Arizona) and Jennifer Whitfield (University of West Florida) provided a great postconference play-by-play, with online references to bios and PowerPoint presentations in record time. What a great resource!

As we think about the programs for Montana and then Memphis, consider chairing a session, participating on a panel, presenting an innovative research project, or creating a poster for discussion. If you are involved in another professional organization and would like AUBER to participate in an upcoming conference, tell Keith Schwer, Jeff Collins (University of Arkansas), or a member of their committee. They can help you put together a session, and AUBER can build valuable partnerships with other organizations.

Plan to attend the spring conference in Washington D.C., March 21 and 22. And don't forget next October 8-11 in Montana, when Paul Polzin of the University of Montana plays host. Jerry Conover (Indiana University) and Stephen Smith promise to provide an exciting
program.

In the coming year, I look forward to working with the board to address a number of interesting issues:

• Enhancing the value of AUBER for our current members,
• Creating a coordinated marketing effort for AUBER,
• Working to increase the relevance of the spring conference, and
• Honoring deserving AUBER members.

Janet Speyrer
University of New Orleans

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