To: Our Keaders From: Our Leaders As time goes by, of course, things change. I don't know about you, but as I was growing up, there were some businesses and institutions that I thought would NEVER change. They were fixtures in my life, in my mind-set of what was just meant to be. So you can imagine my surprise when downtown Hudson's closed, Crowley's went out of business, and now Ward's is leaving the scene; Pan Am, Eastern, and now TWA disappear from the skies; Olympia Stadium was leveled and the Tigers abandoned Tiger Stadium; HoJo's and the Pickle Barrel in Southfield closed; and now Hudson's becomes Marshall Field's. Come on, Marshall Field's is in Chicago. Remember all the good times we used to have in BBYO? Whatever became of BBYO...WAIT A MINUTE! BBYO is still here and going strong! We're still serving 1000 Jewish teens in the Metro Detroit area, Ann Arbor, and Windsor and doing it very well, thank you. I am not saying that BBYO hasn't changed. It has, and in my estimation, much for the better. Chapters still meet once a week in people's homes. Teens still meet new people from all over and make "friends for life." We still emphasize leadership training, working with others, reaching for goals, and caring about our fellow man (and woman). But we have also become so much more. We have reached out to attract Jewish teens from all walks of Jewish life, from the unaffiliated to those attending Jewish day schools. Informal Jewish education has become our byword, delivering services in a context that Jewish teens still love. Yet, AZA basketball, BBG volleyball, Regional Convention are still there, but now joined by Jewish Heritage Nights, BBG MBA (Mind- Body-Attitude) and TASC community service programming, a myriad of Israel travel choices, and special trips to visit BBYO in Bulgaria and March of the Living in Poland. BBYO is still staff-directed, but volunteer-driven, both in the chapters themselves and through a fine Board of Directors, whose aim is to secure BBYO for the future, a future in which your children and grandchildren can experience this fixture of their youth that was there for you and your parents as well. There is still a place for you in BBYO. Won't you make the decision to make your best contribution today? ♦ 44• ♦♦ 4 pi e As Chairperson of the Michigan BBYO Board of Directors, I have been proud to serve along with the group of superb individuals on our Board. AZA, BBG, and Teen Connection membership are all running ahead of last year at this time and retention of old members is very high. All our mass Regional programs this year have resulted in increases in attendance and were excellent in quality. Now the youth are busy recruiting 8th and 9th graders to assure next year's success as well. As BBYO continues to grow, our Board of Directors, comprised of volunteer adults and youth, is experiencing its own personal growth. The Board has worked very hard to maintain the high quality of Michigan BBYO programs through times of financial challenges. We have established a 5-Year Strategic Plan to keep us on the road to fiscal security and responsibility. The support of local B'nai B'rith and the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit will help us map out the future of Michigan BBYO to assure our youth of the continued strength of the program. On April 1, our Michigan Board will begin our Annual Campaign with the goal of raising $88,000, all of which stays here in Michigan Region to support this program, which serves our kids and our community. We need the participation of everyone who has been touched by our program — alumni, parents, former parents, friends — to meet that important goal. Based on our past record, the Board expects to achieve this goal. So, when you receive a letter or phone call asking for your support of the 2001 Annual Campaign, I hope that you will respond by giving your BEST gift. Your contribution will help assure the continuation of Michigan BBYO's strong Jewish youth program, which helps produce the future leaders of our community and offers our children a place to develop their Jewish identity together with their peers. Sincerely, B'shalom, a_fvfP—ce Sherry Kanter Arnold J. Weiner, MSW Chairperson, BBYO Board of Directors Senior Executive Regional Director BBYO ] APRIL 22 Advisor Group Meeting - WBJCC - 10:00 a.m. Detroit Teen Connection High R.O.P.E.S. at Camp Maas - 1:00-6:00 p.m. APRIL 29 AZA Basketball Playoffs & Championship - WBJCC - 6:00 p.m. MAY 4 6 Elections Training Conclave - Camp Maas, Ortonville MAY 11 Jewish Heritage Night #3 - B'nai Moshe - 8:00 p.m. MAY 20 Detroit Teen Connection Mini-Golf & Go- Karting - Van Dyke Dome, Warren - 1-4 p.m. MAY 24 Board of Directors Annual Meeting - WBJCC - 7:30 p.m. - FLANS MAY 31 AZA-BBG Council Installations & Awards Night - WBJCC - 7:30 p.m. JUNE 5 AZA-BBG Regional Life Ceremonies - WBJCC - 4:00, 7:00 p.m. JUNE 15 17 AZA-BBG Exec Weekend - Milan Conference Centre, Belle River, Ontario JUNE 20 Detroit Teen Connection at Cedar Point JUNE 25 JULY 22 Kallah - B'nai B'rith Perlman Camp, Starlight, PA JUNE 25 JULY 8 Chapter Leadership Training Conference I - B'nai B'rith Beber - Camp, Mukwonago, WI JUNE 25 JULY 8 Chapter Leadership Training Conference IV - B'nai B'rith Perlman Camp, Starlight, PA - - - - JULY 9 22 Chapter Leadership Training Conference V - B'nai B'rith Perlman Camp, Starlight, PA JULY 10 23 Chapter Leadership Training Conference II - B'nai B'rith Beber Camp, Mukwonago, WI JULY 23 AUG. 12 International Leadership Training Conference - B'nai B'rith Perlman Camp, Starlight, PA JULY 25 AUG. 7 Chapter Leadership Training Conference III - B'nai B'rith Beber Camp, Mukwonago, WI JULY 30 AUG. 12 Chapter Leadership Training Conference VI - B'nai B'rith Perlman Camp, Starlight, PA AUG.13 19 International Convention - B'nai B'rith Perlman Camp, Starlight, PA AUG. 19 24 VIP Leadership Camp - Milan Conference Centre, Belle River, ON - - - - - - - BBYO B YACHAD TOGETHER BBYO B YACHAD TOGETHER BBYO B YACHAD TOGETHER BBYO B YACHAD TOGETHER