Ten years ago I began to envision a butterfly organization which would bring butterfly and moth enthusiasts together to learn from each other. I thoughtfully dreamed of what the ideal organization would look like, knowing that the ideal seldom comes true in the real world. The ideal included a very friendly group – in which everyone, including kids, felt comfortable and truly a part of the organization. It would have an education component so that everyone could learn at his or her own level. It would lead to other interests such as learning about plants and butterfly habitats, but most of all it had to be FUN!! This dream was postponed a couple of times in those ten years as I took on other obligations.

In January of 1999 a group of us who shared this dream met to discuss the founding of this organization. I knew from that first meeting that the energy and enthusiasm of Jon Pelham, Dave and Jo Nunnallee, Richard Youel, Tom O’Connell, Richard Lindstrom, and David Branch would take us far.

On July 14th of 1999, after several organizational meetings, the Washington Butterfly Association had its first membership meeting with 42 people in attendance. Since that day WBA has not only reached the “ideal” status but raised the bar on what that ideal can be.

Each of you as WBA members has certainly had a very important role in whom we have become. There is an energy, an eagerness to learn and to share knowledge and to have fun that is far beyond expectation.

As I leave the office of presidency in June my deepest thanks goes to each one of you who made this dream come true far beyond expectations. It has truly been an honor to have been a small part of what you have made this organization become  something very, very special.

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