View from Stone Mountain

Greetings from Stone Mountain where the leaves are falling faster than I can rake them, and the first chill of winter is already in the air.

The office has been very busy preparing the annual membership renewal mailing. This year’s mailing arrives with very exciting news. Our membership administration is now available on our website. You will be able to update your contact information and pay your annual renewal fees over the internet. We are all very excited about this development. PLEASE be sure to read the step by step instructions that are included with your renewal as it contains the user name and password you will need to view your file, make updates, and pay fees. As always, I am available should you have any questions or experience any difficulty accessing your data.

Please be sure to get your renewal fees in early. Anyone who has not paid their dues by February 28, 2004 will have all member benefits suspended until the fees are paid.

I recently attended the Infectious Diseases Society of America meeting in San Diego California where we added new ISTM members. And we heard from many infectious disease people who practice travel medicine and did not realize we even existed! I am reminded of an old saying "how will they know if we don’t tell them." If the ISTM is to grow, as we all would like it to do, we must spread the word of what we have to offer. It would be really great to break the 2000 member mark within the next few months. Membership brochures, conference announcements, and ISTM banners are always available from me for meetings or talks that you give. I am more than happy to send these materials anywhere in the world - all you need to do is ask!

Remember that all people smile in the same language -- so be sure to share a smile with everyone you meet!

Brenda, ISTM Secretariat