2008 was an exceptional year for IREM's Boston Chapter #4 as we celebrated our 70th anniversary of serving the real estate management industry. Thanks to the great leadership of our 2008 president, Winder Nordblom, and the dedicated industry professionals who serve on IREM's Boston board, our chapter is well prepared to handle the challenges of 2009 and beyond!
As the 2009 president of IREM's Boston Chapter #4, I am honored and excited to have the privilege to serve the Chapter and our industry. 2009 comes with many economic challenges that will affect our industry, however, I am confident that with our strength, expertise, and professionalism our industry will persevere and emerge from this economic crisis stronger. In recognition that many of our members will have to deal with economic challenges both professionally and personally, membership dues for IREM will not increase in 2009 although member services will continue to be enhanced and new benefits added. I encourage our membership to utilize all the services and benefits that IREM membership offers including the new IREMFIRST, a wonderful resource and conduit to network with other industry professionals.
The first of many informative and educational meetings of IREM's Boston Chapter #4 will be an Economic Forecast breakfast to be held on January 15th at the Sheraton Needham Hotel beginning at 8 a.m. Our presenter for this timely outlook will be Stephen Andrews, senior vice president of Sovereign Bank - Capital Markets. Andrews has been involved in the capital markets for over 25 years focusing the last 18 years on advising clients on managing exposure to interest rate risk and economic issues. I look forward to this wonderful presentation and the opportunity to network with our membership on how your Boston IREM chapter can continue to best support and meet your industry needs.

Once again IREM's Boston Chapter #4 has a full complement of networking events and educational offerings planned for the year ahead. Additional events on timely topics affecting our industry will be added to the calendar as appropriate. Please visit our Chapter's website often at www.IREMBoston.org to see new additions.
In closing, I look forward to an exciting 2009 and the opportunity to make our industry better and stronger together.

Kathleen Franco is the 2009 president of the Boston Chapter of IREM, Boston, Mass.