Recently, the Board of Directors of UBPN, Inc. held its annual meeting. At this meeting, which marked the conclusion of our third year as an incorporated organization, we elected a new board and officers. From the inception of UBPN, our goal has been to create a dynamic organization that recognizes the contributions of volunteers who make up our board and officers and an organization that fosters a culture where individuals can give enthusiastically of their time and energy. To keep such an organization from becoming static requires a steady infusion of new people mixed with those long experienced.

Before I tell you about our new Board of Directors, I must pay fitting tribute to those Board members who are stepping down. It is with great thanks for all their sacrifices of time, money and energy that we recognize Sharon Gavagan, Kathleen Kennedy and Bridget McGinn. All three have completed their terms on the Board. Their work within UBPN has been significant. They were all part of the original board who envisioned what UBPN might become from the beginning those three and a half years ago.

I cannot do justice to any list of their accomplishments and contributions on behalf of UBPN but let me mention some highlights. Sharon, as our Government Relations chair, has been central in seeing that brachial plexus research is on the current Congressional appropriations bill. Her story and the steps in that important process were outlined in the Spring/Summer issue of Outreach. Kathleen worked diligently with the Social Security Administration as UBPN met with them in D.C. in the Fall of 1999 to request new guidelines for SSI determinations regarding brachial plexus injuries and she has been the chair of our Medical Committee. As that chair she has brought our dream of a medical resource directory to life, so that families would be presented with options for medical treatment and would have the resources to make informed decisions. As Vice President, Bridget has played a key role on our Executive Committee. She has served not only as founder and editor of Outreach, but also as chair of Communications ensuring that every document that issued forth from UBPN was consistent and professional.

They have worked tirelessly and without complaint and many times in the background so that others would benefit. They will all remain involved in UBPN, Bridget as the editor of Outreach, Kathleen will continue her work in coordinating the Medical Resource Directory, and Sharon remains involved as our point person for Government Relations.

It is important for all of us to recognize that, particularly with an all-volunteer organization like UBPN, time constraints, family issues, and job-related situations impinge upon what one can realistically give to an organization like ours. We must allow ourselves the freedom to move on and let others grow and mature into roles of responsibility.

Stepping up to the plate are new Board members Jennifer Engelhardt, Krista Heikkinen, Richard Looby, Kathleen Mallozzi, and Tami Schenck. Continuing Board members are Joann Beale and Ryan McClune. The new officers are Nancy Birk, President; Cathy Kanter, Immediate Past President; Peggy Ferguson, Vice President, Sabrina Randolph, Treasurer, and Kim West, Secretary.

I will be honest with you. It is with great trepidation that I assume this role as President. Cathy Kanter is a hard act to follow! She has done an outstanding job of leading this organization and laying a firm foundation. Her vision continues to inspire me and all those with whom she comes in contact. Thankfully she will remain an essential member of our executive committee in her role as Immediate Past President.

We have an exciting year ahead of us. This coming October we will celebrate our Third Annual Awareness Week. The Awareness Outreach Special Issue is about to be printed and will hit your mailboxes in the next month. We are building towards the declaration of a National Proclamation in the year 2004. We are beginning the planning for Camp UBPN 2003. The website continues to grow and evolve and we have many changes and enhancements planned.

Living with a lifelong brachial plexus injury has taught me never to be afraid of challenges, to not let stumbling keep me from my path, and to allow myself the flexibility to try new things. I am so grateful that after 45 years of thinking I was alone with this injury, there are now organizations like UBPN. We are all in this together.

I look forward to communicating with you regularly through this column and on the message boards.

Best wishes,

Nancy Birk, President
UBPN, Inc.