The close of our 25th year as The Men's Center is rapidly approaching. Major items for the year were our Anniversary celebration, the Men's Health & Well-being Conference, and our continued offering of Anger Management classes.

TMC is at a significant crossroads in its existence. There were only five board members for the current year and only one is scheduled to return next year. Our committees have only one or two additional participants beside the board members. The support group numbers and dollars are dropping. The web site is strong in the number of hits for its use. Phone calls are down but this may be offset by the web site use. Where are we going, and what will TMC become in the next 25 years? Please attend the planning meeting on January 26 (9:00 AM). The annual meeting on January 12 (also at 9:00 AM) will review in full our current status, vote on By-Law changes in number of board members, elect new Board members for 2002, and acknowledge the volunteers for the past year. New blood is needed in the leadership of The Men's Center.

Financially speaking: There is money in the checkbook to pay the current bills, but our revenues are falling short of our budget projections and the Board is making hard decisions on our future spending. Membership is at 385 as of Nov 1 and revenues are as projected for memberships. A copy of the financial statement is available on the office door for viewing. A special gift of $1,000 was received from a memorial to a past TMC member.

Program Committee: There is concern over slumping numbers of attendees and dollars contributed at our support groups. Several Support Groups are not meeting the policy standard of three weekly attendees and will probably need to be discontinued in January, 2002. A Survey questionnaire will be distributed in membership renewals and at support groups to determine the focus of our offerings; please take the time to respond. The annual Holiday party will be a potluck dinner Dec. 15 at 6 PM.

Outreach activities: The anniversary celebration on Oct. 21 was attended by 30 people. Special recognition plaques were given to the nine Board members who incorporated TMC 25 years ago. Two of those members were present. In addition, two longtime members were honored with plaques for their extra ordinary service to TMC: Gerald Obremski for 10 years as Treasurer and Board member, and Andy Mickel for work on conferences, Men Talk, Membership coordination, board member and volunteer Executive Director.

Remember to be thankful for 25 years of the Men's Center existence. TMC is important to the Twin Cities community, and it is important to the Men's movement in the United States. I hope that you all will see and realize this importance and volunteer your time and talents by serving on our committees or on the Board of Directors.

Hoping you see Glory in your life,

John Kuyper,
Board Chair/MEN TALK Coordinator