May 2012

PRESIDENT'S NOTES

On Thursday April 26th the CMA held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) where I was voted in as the new President. The fact that it was so well attended was a tribute to Beth Wilson-Jordan, and her tireless efforts to further the tenets of the CMA during the past four years. Hers are, indeed, big shoes to fill.

Further-on in this newsletter you will see the details of the Board changes voted in during this annual event. Suffice it to say, there is a good mixture of both old and new faces and from different parts of the maritime world. It is an exciting group of people and one which, I am sure, will provide the CMA with a huge degree of support as we look to move forward.

The fact that the CMA is there to represent and develop all facets of the Maritime World makes my job easier. We have all often heard it referred to as a Maritime Family - once you are a member, it is for life - and I am looking forward to involving and working with all parts of this family as we work in bringing everyone together - in the words of the CMA mission statement - "To provide an open forum for individuals to exchange ideas and information supporting the development and growth of the international maritime and trade industries."

My contact details, and those of the Board, are on page 2 of the CMA Newsletters. Please do not hesitate to contact any of us with suggestions, comments or requests.

Let me now remind you of some items of interest:

• At the AGM Beth unveiled the latest developments on our membership website. We have been working on this for almost a year and we think it will prove very useful.
  
• Do not forget the annual picnic at Stamford Yacht Club in July.
  
• The Golf outing on the 3rd May at Sterling Farms was a great success and enjoyed by all in spite of the weather.
  
• Fencing continues its regular bouts and beginners are always welcome.
  
• Did you know that our softball league has been a part of CMA since its beginnings? Its roots go back to a rivalry between Skaarup Chartering and John F. Dillon Company dating back to (approximately) 1982.
  
• This years' softball season started on May 7th, the schedule is on the CMA Website and supporters are always welcome! The games take place at Trinity Catholic High School in Stamford, 926 Newfield Avenue, and all games start at 1800 hours.
  

The last of this season's luncheons will be held on May 31 and June 14. I hope to see you at one of them. I look forward to building and expanding the CMA and suggestions are always welcome.

Best regards,

Ian Workman
President