Happy New Year to All of the Members of The International Order Of The Blue Gavel and District 7. As the 2012 President of District 7, it is sincerely an honor and a privilege to serve the IOBG and its Members. As you already know The IOBG is the Most Honored and Respected Yachting Association in the World, with each and every one of our Members an Equal, Valued and Important Component to the success of our Organization. Our Goal for 2012 is simple but lofty. We have committed to reach out to every Member and Yacht Club within District 7. This includes from Western PA., to Northern KY to our Newest Chapter at Sandusky YC and everywhere in between.  Our message is to ensure that all Members are Invited and Welcome to participate in any and all IOBG related events. Also, should you know of any past member who may have become lost from our fold for whatever reason, please welcome them back by contacting them or having one of our Vice Presidents contact them.

As a two-time Past Commodore, and my Wife Robin a Two Time Past President of the Auxiliary and now serving as the President of District 7, IOBG-A, we understand the level of commitment required to belong to an organization, compounded with the increased demands of work and family and yet still finding room for R & R and a Boat on the water. At the first of the year, I will be contacting each and every member personally, not to ask for money or donations, but to request your participation in just one of our many events that we have planned for the coming year. Please take a moment to review the schedule of events on the following pages and ask one of our Vice Presidents how to participate and do not forget to ask our Vice Presidents how they can participate in your Chapter Event. Additional information, reminders and details will be sent out as the events approach. Due to the cost of U.S. Mail, a current email address is greatly appreciated so that we can continue our information sharing.

This year we have an outstanding class of officers that live and breathe the time honored traditions, goals and philosophy of the IOBG. I am proud to announce our 2012 Slate of Officers.

Mark Vadaj – President, District 7 7505 Thatchum Lane Concord Ohio 44060 440-350-1488 – H 440-479-0064 – M mvadaj@metatechsales.com	Robin Vadaj – President, District 7, IOBG-A 7505 Thatchum Lane Concord Ohio 44060 440-350-1488 – H 440-479-0065 - M robins@metatechsales.com
Pat McIlwee – President Elect 216-214-6111 patmcilwee@cox.net	Gene McKeown – 1st Vice President 440-452-3815 genemckeown@oh.rr.com
Dave Zmek – Treasurer 440-543-5008 Akpote96@aol.com	Warren Dempster - Secretary 440-953-0248 wcyc40@yahoo.com
Pat White – Cleveland East 440-256-9714 ronpatdale@roadrunner.com	Mike Key – Cleveland Central 440-537-3612 mikekey66@gmail.com
Rich McKee – Cleveland West 440-353-3494 Bethelou2@aol.com	Cliff Gabriel – Northeast 440-256-3764 Cliffc72@aol.com
Steve Tischbein – South Central 330-343-4444 Stevetischbeinbx64@statefarm.com	John Wierzchowski – Northwest 330-995-6088 mysticflight@windstream.net
Perry Ross – N.W. PA. 814-899-6262 Jbr.30@uno.com	Joe Campbell – Central Ohio Contact Information to follow
Carrie Pell – District Supply Officer 440-281-3215 Cpm620@yahoo.com	Tony Durieux – District Director 740-334-7669 agent@alink.com

I invite all members to visit our New Website www.iobgdistrict7.com for additional information regarding future events, points of contact and pictures of our past events.  We also request that you include the address for the International Site www.iobg.org  as a link on your Club Web Site for additional information such as Guidelines and Policy Manual, New Member/Chapter Applications, Point of Contact, Meeting Schedules, The Log Newsletter and more.

Please feel comfortable to contact myself at any time should you require assistance, support, and participation in your Chapter event or how we can make your Membership more enjoyable and rewarding. I will gladly welcome new ideas and promise to respond promptly. Once again thank you for your continued support and membership in the International Order of The Blue Gavel.

Mark A. Vadaj – President, District 7, IOBG