Dear Members and Friends of the ANWC,  

Two years ago, I took office with great challenges ahead. My goal: to make the ANWC a better place by advancing excellence in journalism in new ways, while remembering what has worked in the past. With the extraordinary assistance of two gifted and supportive 2012-2014 ANWC Governing Boards , a caring membership of stalwart believers in the club, new blood,  lots of adrenaline and hard work, strategic positioning and the support of my loving family and dear friends,  I can safely say, with the greatest appreciation, that our Club is on solid ground -- with room for growth.

*  Our membership has nearly doubled. Thanks to new members--young and old, many renewals, the reigniting of honorary memberships for speakers, exciting programs, including our "Meet the Ambassadors" program series,  we have attracted new and interesting members to join and rejoin. Five-year honorary members now include our roasters/toasters, from Barbara Walters' gala, Ted Koppel, emcee Norah O'Donnell and this year, Martha Raddatz,  Ray Suarez, John Dickerson and Dorothy Gilliam.  And of course our two new lifetime honorary members join the ranks of membership,  Barbara Walters (EIJ-2013) and Gwen Ifill (EIJ-2014).

* Our historic and elegant Club house has been refreshed and updatedwith a renovated third and 4th floor office suites,  new banquet chairs in our main 2nd floor room, new dining room wallpaper and chair covers,dining room sheers, an updated floor and new paint in kitchen and a new couch in the Berryman room. We did this on a shoe string budget.  Thank you Jean White, our VP of House. We are in a healthy place for more events and Cranford House rentals. My thanks go out especially to Rogerio who does wonderful work for us tirelessly in the house. And deep felt thanks go to my amazing husband Bill Swift, our constant gardener.  

*Our yearly operating income is back on track.  Thanks to our wonderful and reliable licensees of the 3rd and 4th floors - Tom Hardart of Witnify, Inc.and Jennifer Pellizzaro of Dupont Creative who share our important mission to support excellence in journalism at the Club house. Also thanks to our two successful EIJ benefits - our 2013 gala luncheon honoring Barbara Walters (I am forever thankful to you Ginny Daly) and our 2014  Gwen Ifill Roast which would not have happened if Julie Chase,  my friend and Roast Chairman had not stepped up to bring back the good old fashioned roast.  Thank you, Julie. Also thank you co-Chair Karen James Cody,  and the Benefit Committee - including Sheilah Kast,  for your undying support. We were able to make the funds to support our scholarships again this year!  Also our grant from the MARPAT Foundation of $15,000 has funded our Meet the Ambassadorsprograms which have become a great draw. My special thanks go to Marion Mattingly, VP of Programs,  this year for her stellar work all the way through. 

*Our club office is in working order thanks to Janina Roncevic our Sr. Staff Liaison who works with great Club spirit on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and will continue doing so. Our record keeping is back on track with new file cabinets. Janina's great on the phone and keeps us all on track with RSVP's and history keeping. Our membership directory has been a big hit these last two years, thank you Janina.  We are in search of someone who can assist Janina with Cranford House rentals.  

*  I  leave you with a very able Governing Board for next year.  Our Nominating Committee led by Chairman Eileen Higgins, Nancy Lang and Anne Ganz has selected a wonderful team to govern. Click here for 2014-2015 Slate of Officers.(If you are unable to open this attachment please go toanwc.org.) I could not be more appreciative. It's been a pleasure and an honor to be at the helm and help keep our club alive, current and vibrant in these days where other storied institutions have different fates. I will never stop believing in our future.