As the incoming ODS President I would like to introduce myself, Marsha Williams, I live in Bend, Oregon and am employed as an Ophthalmic Technician in a Retina specialty practice. I am a native of Oregon and a graduate of Oregon State University. I was recently married; my husband is an automobile salesman and Fleet Manager for Hertz Car Sales here in Bend. I have a grown son, several grown step daughters and three grandchildren.

People probably wonder why my name keeps showing up on ballots and I would like to thank them for voting for me and giving me the opportunity to represent them. Earlier this year I was a candidate for a Region VI Participating Member Delegate. This is a volunteer position. I am looking forward to attending the USDF Convention in Kansas City later this year. Participating Member Delegates represent Region VI Participating Members at the Board of Governors at the USDF Convention. We vote on issues, attend meetings and are representatives on various committees and councils. You may wonder how I can be the ODS President when I was not on a ballot and you did not vote for me. This is because ODS bylaws require officers to be board members. As Eastern Region ODS representative I was eligible to become an officer. Recently you received a ballot for ODS director at large with me as a candidate. The reason I am running for this elected position is that my term as Eastern Rep is a one year term. The Director at Large term is three years. In order to carry out what can be a 2 to 3 year commitment as President and then past president I must be a board member so being elected will insure this continuity if the rest of the board wants me to remain as president more than one year.

I have been an active member of ODS for the past 11 years and have served as a chapter officer and board member most of that time. I have been an active amateur competitor during that time with three different horses. The highest level I have competed at is 4th with my Quarter Horse Chex in the Mail who is now retired. My current mount is a Connemara cross we have been competing in First Level this year.

I am also the Region VI Adult Education Coordinator. There is a lot of business going on in this council at the national level. Most recently we have been charged with the Adult Clinic Series which is being revamped in style and format. We recently redesigned the Adult Education Grant Application to make it more user friendly for applicants.

My main interests are in Adult Education and in introducing new competitors to the sport of dressage. I am involved with the League Show Championships and an advocate of the League Show program. One project of the board this year is to look at the League Show program and make sure it is serving its purpose. I would also like to see ODS sponsor and promote more educational opportunities for our members. I am also involved in our fund raising for the USDF Capital Campaign and insuring that we meet our pledge to the fund.

Other topics for the Board this year include looking at and possibly revising the By-Laws, looking at the current board and representative structure, securing liability insurance for board members and officers and continuing to work on making awards program more efficient. I welcome your input on any of these topics and your ideas and opinions. Please contact your local region reps or any ODS Board member with issues, comments and ideas. We will respond to you and we welcome your participation.

Thank you for the opportunity of representing you at the state level and at the national level as a delegate from ODS and Region VI. I hope I can live up to your expectations and the legacy of those who have preceded me in these roles. We have a wonderful and very committed board, a super office manager and I look forward to another successful year for ODS.

-Marsha