Editors Note

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Let me first say, Happy New Year to all of you. My best wishes for a great and safe 2004. This last year was a "doozie" in a number of ways, including the war in Iraq, Saddam's capture, the economy, Enron, The Space Shuttle Columbia, SARS, mad cow disease, The California Governors Recall (wow), the worst Blackout in US History (those nutty Canadians, or was it those crazy Ohioians), The Dow is up (yeah), Reality TV (help me, please), Martha Stewart (poor women), Michael Jackson (not going there), French fries are now "freedom fries" (well their heart was in the right place), Playboy turned 50 (and I heard Hugh still doesn't need Viagra?), Call Mick Jagger Sir Mick now (do you think Ringo will ever make it?), last but certainly not least, a study was done in 2003 that possibly linked "agent orange" to cancer risks (Huh?)

Enough of that stuff. Where has the time gone? Last I checked we were in a room in Las Vegas talking about the next reunion in Philadelphia. Less than 10 month's away and we will have our 4th official McMorris reunion in the City of Brotherly Love, or "foah getta bout it!" Philly is ripe with our nations history that boasts some of the best restaurants in the country. Shopping, the arts, museums, sports, fun, and the people, are what make Philadelphia so special. I hope you can find your way to the reunion as we continue to "Cruise into the Millennium" while focusing on our "vision" to bring a little joy and happiness to our crew members and families. Despite what craziness may go on in the world, I believe we continue to fulfill a vital role of peace and happiness, even though the McMorris herself no longer serves in our Navy. This is evident by the ever increasing number of people who have found us at www.ussmcmorris.org and tell us the joy and happiness they remember as crewmen of the Mighty Mac.

Our numbers actually tip right around 295+ crewmembers on the active roster. I have achieved one goal of pulling all of my old contact information from several databases onto one spreadsheet and passed that along to our "Official" roster keeper, Linda Pike. Her goal is to maintain that roster and to spend the next 10 plus months in upgrading her information. We will make the roster available to anyone requesting it in hard copy. I would suggest to everyone, if you know your address has changed, or your area code has changed, which it has for many, please pass that information along to Linda in an email, lfpike@netscape.com, so she can upgrade your contact information.

My next goal is getting closer to completion, and that is to have current information on the reunion posted to the website. I have already given Scott Vliek the reunion information update and itinerary. I want to confirm pricing information for our tours and then our on-line registration form will be posted as well. Once that is done, it is a matter of making the final decision to join all of us in Philly. I am an optimist by nature, and have stated one of my own personal visions publicly on a number of occasions. That is to have a reunion in which we have a minimum of 50 or more shipmates, plus their spouses or friends attend the McMorris reunion at one time. My real goal is to see 60 shipmates at one reunion. I have a feeling we will come close to that this time around.

A 20 to 25 percent turnout rate would put us right around the 50 to 60 shipmate number, and that is what we normally have at our reunions. We also have a lot of people who live within a few hours drive of Philadelphia who were not at the last two reunions, so I would expect to see a large turnout from our "Commissioned" ranks this time. Who down in the Virginia/DC area is going to take the lead and carpool all of you retired officers from the Mac up here? Spread the word.

We have a number of ways in which to keep everyone informed, and to communicate in creative ways. The McMorris "Forum" was introduced this last year as a way for everyone to stay in touch and for us to pass the word along quickly to everyone. If you have not registered for use of the forum, I suggest you try it. It's a great tool. I introduced a "Trivia" contest as a way to get people involved and to have a new way to award our prizes at the reunion instead of the ticket drawing. Since we had only one player in the first three month's, I am discontinuing that contest, unless I get an overwhelming barrage of emails saying…."kick it up….another notch!" I guess I will have to eat that case of Tasty Kake "Butter Krimpets" myself.

I always broach this question, among others, as we move forward. Some of you are aware, I spend a fair amount of time going to school. I completed one degree program back in May of 2003, and recently completed my instructors certification for teaching the Dale Carnegie Course (no this is not a marketing ploy), and have been teaching late afternoon and some evening classes. I also am in the process of heading back to school to complete my MBA (no this is not a plea for support of my tuition). Over the next two years I anticipate being tied up in this program. (Yes, this is a plea for setting up a new system for coordinating our reunions.)

I have said on more than one occasion that I do not mind playing a "consultative" role for future reunions. Besides being a cheerleader for the group, the wheels must start turning. We did accomplish handing off the roster maintenance to Linda Pike. I am indebted. Dues must be solicited, collected, and deposited into a bank account. I keep a master spreadsheet on everyone that includes contact info, dues paid, which reunions you attended, and what activities you participated in. The newsletter is maintained, and a series of communications is maintained with Scott Vliek on what should or shouldn't be in the website, and ideas as to what that would look like. Scott's design work and input has been a critical key to the success of this site. I simply throw mud up on the wall to see what will stick, and Scott makes it work.

When a destination city is selected, a hotel must be chosen and a local tour events company must be selected. It's not all that hard once you have the system down, and know what works, what doesn't in terms of what we need, and can afford. Also some negotiation must take place to get the best deal from the hotel and tour planner. The contract itself must be gone over with a fine tooth comb for traps. It's no big legal deal, you just want to make sure all bases are covered. Commitments must be made and contracts must be signed. You need to work with the caterer for meal planning and just make sure all the pieces come together. An on-line registration process is now in place for us, and it is easy to track.

Keeping up to date information on the website, contacting people periodically, and keeping the energy level high is a big part of the process. It's a part time job if done right. The payout is not in dollars, but in the joy of knowing you put a smile on someone's face. That's the ticket. Nothing more, nothing less.

The biggest help to me would be to have a regional person in or near the city of our reunion location to handle the hotel and tour negotiations and be the "host" for the reunion, to make sure it comes together at the local level. It does require a few other chores, like running around getting the hospitality suite beverages and snacks purchased and set up. We have made milk runs from the hotel in the past with volunteers to locate and purchase the ill-gotten booty. Someone needs to coordinate that. I can handle the money, unless someone in the future is willing to become the treasurer. I also do not mind writing the news letter periodically, unless someone is willing to bring their own special talent to becoming our chief scribe. Ok with me. We also have people who are willing to help at registration to see that people are checked in, that they have what they need. I also handle ships stores, but right now that is not a priority, although it needs to be addressed. I have been looking to upgrade and bring new items to the store. I haven't come to any conclusion or decision, but have ideas.

Something to think about for our business meeting in October. If anyone has ideas or thoughts, let me know and we will discuss it. I appreciate your input, and thank you in advance for your considerations.

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I am just going to say that all reunion information is now or should be posted to it's appropriate location on the website soon. Look at the "Reunion Information" tab and the Registration Information section on the 2004 reunion in Philadelphia.

(Reunion Information and Itinerary - Online Registration)

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Another thing to think about, 2003 was not a good year for dues collections. Few people made their yearly donation this last year. The system in place is that a $25.00 donation be made to the reunion fund each year usually in January. I did not press dues this last year, and the results showed it.

Dues are there to cover costs. Some costs over the years were made out of pocket with no compensation. The dues are there mostly to cover on-site costs at the reunion, such as the snacks and beverages for the hospitality suite, including paper products, and unexpected or missed service charges at the hotel, or to make prepayments for deposits. Also we use dues money to make upfront purchases of clothing for the ships store. We have never attempted to make any real money on clothing, and have traditionally made only a buck or two, max, on any one item. Supplies for the reunion need to be purchased, such as name tags, and paper to print itineraries on, or envelopes, etc.

So, I know times are tough economically, but I am asking if it is possible to make a $25.00 donation to your reunion fund for the year 2004. Don't worry about previous years, let's just focus on 04. Your help is appreciated and needed. Thanks so much for your interest in what we bring back to you.

( Dues information here.)

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I sincerely believe that 2004 will be a better year for many, and we will have a very successful reunion here in Philadelphia. I appreciate all of your interest in the McMorris organization. It is your interest that keeps it going, and I believe we will continue to grow and have the opportunity to bring bigger and better services to you, both at the website level and at future reunions. Without you being there and showing your interest, none of this would be possible.

Contributions to the website are important. Do not hesitate to show us what you have that can be included in the history section and the scrapbook section. I have several goals over the next year or two: