There are many interesting articles on this topic available online. Go to www.google.com and type in "nursing shortage" as a search item, and you'll find quite a few articles on the topic from sources such as "Nursing World," "Nurse Source" and CNN.

Greeters
George Elmenhurst and Barry Jaquins

Pledge
Greg Lutcher, attorney

Invocation
Shaun Callan, Baker Boyer Bank

Convention Raffle
Varga Fox, Whitman College, and Art Griff gave it a shot.  No orange ball again. Pot goes to $85 next week.

Guests
Kevin Loomer, hosted by Gene Adams

New Members
Gary Hansen, sponsored by Phil Oberg. Gary works at Abajian Motors, and is a lifelong Walla Wallan. He's married, with two kids (ages 17 and 8). He attended Walla Walla schools through high school, then got a business degree from Eastern Washington University. He enjoys family, golfing and baseball.

Dan Ward, sponsored by Carolyn Keyes. Dan is an associate at Walla Walla Dental Clinic. He also volunteers with the local medical/dental van that provides help to uninsured in the valley. He's married to Diane, and they have two kids. He enjoys skiing with his family and is looking forward to an upcoming trip to Disney World.

Don Davis, sponsored by Ed George. Don works at Martin Jewelers, having attended the Gemology Institute in California. He was raised in Walla Walla, went to Green Park Elementary as well as WWCC. He was an ACE Award winner from the Exchange Club years ago, and his hobbies include baseball and his kids (he's also married, with two kids!).

Youth of the Month
Mark Higgins introduced the last two Youths of the Month for this year, from Touchet High School. The Youth of the Month/Year committee will now meet and decide who of all the presenters this year will be the Exchange Club 2002 Youth of the Year and represent us on the regional level.  These two young ladies are both excellent students, and are also involved in many other extracurricular activities.

Heidi Nolan spoke about the need for youth leaders to have self-discipline; to be able to plan and get things accomplished. She also talked about the value in respecting others' ideas, and trusting that others will do their part toward a final goal.

Ashley Durfee spoke about three groups she's interacted with who have shown her what is possible in youth leadership: the National Honor Society, Future Farmers of America and the Associated Student Body (student government).  From these organizations she's learned leadership skills, work ethic and the value of community service.

Both young women were accompanied by their mother, and by their student involvement coordinator, Shelly Perkins.

Announcements
Linda Emmerson, past-president, read the slate of new officers for the 2002-2003 year:
Treasurer: Mike Dandrea
Secretary: Ed George
Vice President: Kathy Small
President-Elect: Sloan Kimball
President: Lyle Hansen

Linda also announced the new directors, who will serve a two-year term (2002-2004):
Janis Barton
Karen Wolf
Lenel Parish

The Exchange Club is particpating in the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life walk again this year. Veda Logan has agreed to be the chair/team captain for this even. If anyone would like to make donations and/or be a part of the relay team, please contact Veda at logave@wwc.edu or 527-2364 (work) or 525-0803 (home) or 386-8754 (cell). The walk is being held June 22 and 23, and walkers need to be on the track at all hours! Please consider donating your time to this worthwhile event.

Greeters
March 18: Teri Barker and Jill Richardson

Quote of the Week
"An inexhaustible good nature is one of the most precious gifts of heaven, spreading itself like oil over the troubled sea of thought, and keeping the mind smooth and equable in the roughest weather."
-Washington Irving