from IAAP convention Sunday -7/27

Good afternoon from New Orleans.

As promised ..this morning's opening Business Session proved to be mighty interesting and alot more

The Welcome Session opened with the International Flag Ceremony, followed by a FANTASTIC singing of our National Anthem by none other than New Orleans grammy winning native, Erma Thomas. There were 1900+ registered attendees for the conference.. .so it has been amazing. But you have to picture this huge ballroom -set up theatre style with the seats all crammed together. The Stage was covered in huge brightly colored traffic signs. I'll try to the picture posted up sometime in the next day or so.

Also within the opening was a performance of a 'New Orleans' Jazz Funeral. (more details on that later).
As the Business section opened the introduction of our current members of the International Board of Directors-entered the Ballroom (along with Don Bretthauer Executive Director) waving checkerboard/racecar themed flags. It was a fairly amusing sight.
The second welcome to the conference was made by Doris Voitier- who won the 2007 John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award. She told an inspirational story about the restoration of public schools,following just after Hurricane Katrina, in St. Bernard Parish just east of New Orleans.

The report of the registration was made and debated...because the counts provided by the Meeting Registrar did not match up.
Seven additional candidate nominations for the International Board of Directors were made from the floor.

A motion to restore the Good of The Order to the Business Meeting was made, debated and on vote, defeated.

More later.. must get to next session..
K. Foley