Greetings - I hope the New Year finds everybody in good health and spirits. As I mentioned in the October/November issue of USA Table Tennis, I am optimistic about our sport's future in both the short- and long-term. I continue to remain so.

We have a number of potential developments, which I hope to announce to you in the next few months. In the meantime, I wish to report to you the activities and accomplishments of our office staff and the measures we have taken to move Table Tennis into the 21^st century.

• Grassroots Programs:

1. Rochester NY - Established a partnership with Joe Krzys, Jr., President of the Warren Company, to develop a table tennis in/after school program in a suburban community outside of Rochester. Table Tennis is one of six Olympic Sports included in this developmental program.
2. Colorado Springs, CO - In conjunction with the Sporting Goods and Manufacturing Association, USA Table Tennis and with support from Scott Preiss and Coach Li Zhenshi, we are introducing Table Tennis to several middle schools in Colorado Springs.

• Public Relations:

1. Engaged McClarran and Williams, on a pro-bono arrangement, to develop and complete a public relations and media outreach strategy. With McClarran and Williams, USA Table Tennis has received a noticeable uptick in national media coverage. Please visit www.NBCOlympics.com, www.usatt.org and www.usoc.org for articles, interviews and press releases.
2. Hired Victoria Ulrich as our full-time media and public relations director. Victoria, who will start January 17, 2000, will be a welcome addition to the staff.

• 1999 National Championships

1. Held the National Championships. Thank you to Fran Boardman and Jan Dreher, and in particular Margaret Smith, who managed to complete their respective tasks with one less employee (Linda Gleeson resigned in August). Also special thanks to the volunteers, in particular to Aly Salam, Norm Chouinard and Alan Barth (Tournament Operations), and to Dewayne Zint of Stiga, for without you the entire event would not have been possible. Lastly, a special thanks to our customers, all 709 of you (a record!) who entered the tournament. And in particular those of you who so generously contributed from the open line item on the entry blank to help both the National Team and Youth Team. Your monies are precious and will be spent wisely!

• Relationships

1. Colorado Springs Sports Corp - Hired an outside accounting/bookkeeping firm with extensive Not for Profit Sport Organizational experience. CSC is efficient and brings years of knowledge to USA Table Tennis.
2. Holme Roberts and Owen - Engaged a well-respected legal firm with a large sports practice as our in-house counsel. HRO has proven invaluable in its legal advice over the past five months.
3. United States Olympic Committee - I have personally formed relationships and networked with other Executive Directors (my peers), USOC Olympic Properties (the marketing division), USOC Community Development Group and USOC Grants and Planning. The USOC has tremendous resources and is a partner for USA Table Tennis.

I look forward to the future and will continue to rely on my 25 years' experience as a devoted member to promote our sport.