PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS
AT THE CONCLUSION of his term of office, it is traditional for each President of the Academy to address the membership on some topic of importance. In the 20 years I have regularly attended these meetings, I have listened to many distinguished predecessors make impressive presentations. The most common theme has been a review of the Academy's progress during the particular president's term of office, joined to a prediction of things to come—problems posed, challenges to meet, goals to set. I think it is worthwhile to pause in this manner—to take stock of ourselves, inventory assets, admit liabilities, strike a balance, and forge ahead. In former years the annual address was the principal means by which the president conveyed his thoughts to the membership. Therefore, the presentations were often lengthy, though highly interesting. Nowadays, the membership is virtually flooded with information concerning Academy activities. The Newsletter appears twice a month, covering a wide range of subject material. Chapter and Section letters are distributed periodically. The President, District Chairmen, and Central Office pediatric personnel meet often with the members, usually at District or State Chapter meetings. We also have the reports of the Executive Director, Secretary, Secretary for Chapters, Secretary for Committees, Director of Information, Committee Chairmen, and an increasing number of excellent Academy manuals. In brief, our communications network is highly developed. Therefore, it would be redundant of me to review in detail the events of the past year in the life of the Academy. Besides, I have already discussed them on more than one occasion in issues of the Newsletter.