After a few hesitant starts punctuated by periods of severe cold, Spring is finally here in all its glorious splendor. Everywhere you look flowers are blooming, trees are covered with tender green leaves, and the very air is filled with expectation. For Spring is the season for renewal, when the new energy flowing in all living things opens the way for new dreams and new hopes.

And so it is that at WBFN we start looking forward to the year ahead. Our first step is to build the team that will take over in July under the able leadership of President-elect, Anne Folliet. A new slate of officers for the Executive Committee is being proposed. Their pictures and biographies were published on our website since early April and are again presented in this issue of Mosaic for your perusal.

The voting on this slate will take place on May 14, at our Annual Membership Meeting. This meeting is open to all WBFN members and I encourage you to attend. It is an opportunity for every member to take an active part in shaping the future of WBFN, whether by voting in the new leadership or by voicing concerns and aspirations. For indeed, the Annual Membership Meeting is a “business” meeting during which leaders of all WBFN activities will report on the year past and will be available to answer your questions.

Mark again your calendar for May 19, when WBFN holds its Annual Dinner. This is an occasion not to miss! In the formal setting of the 12th floor Gallery of the MC building, WBFN members accompanied by their spouses joyfully celebrate the accomplishments of the year. It is a time when founding members of our community get to meet the new arrivals; a time to reminisce and recall old traditions; a time to catch a glimpse of what the future has in store for WBFN; in short, it is the time to rejoice over the amazing continuity and strength of our organization and our community.

At that dinner, WBFN will also host this year’s recipients of the MMMF educational grants. Our thanks to all those of you who participated in the Selection Committee and dedicated long hours to scrutinize the applicants’ files (over 160 applicants this year!). This is the culmination of a sustained collective effort well worthy of our admiration. Please also note that the recipients will share with us their perspective and future goals at a forum scheduled for the previous day, Monday May 18.

So come and be part of the festivities! WBFN is definitely the place to be!

Rula Ghani