This year was the most enjoyable and challenging year I have experienced during my 20 years participating in the institute. The 2008 officers and committee chairs did their jobs very well and truly made this year a success. Thank you. The chapter offered diverse programs and networking opportunities which resulting in a 35% increase in participation in these programs.
Membership Meetings
January the chapter offered an economic forecast given by John Bitner the chief economist at Eastern Bank. Bitner has a way of presenting economic data that everyone can understand. We also recognized 15 past presidents of the chapter at this meeting.
February we held a new event the IREM ski day. This event included awards for who fell the most times and skied the most runs. We also had a yodeling contest. This day was designed to take members out of the IREM environment and provided a different networking experience.
The March meeting was AMO appreciation and legislative update. Robert Travelini who was the president of the state senate, provided insight on the workings of the State house.
In May the New England Region held its gala celebration on May 17th at Granite Links Golf Club. This event was to celebrate the region's 70th and IREM's 75th anniversaries. The guests were greeted by a bagpiper who is very fitting for our location and being part Scottish myself. This was followed by a reception honoring the leaders of our region and attended Pam Monroe the institute's 2008 president-elect and past president Joanne Corbett the MC for the evening. The induction of Robert Nordblom and Harry Gilbert followed a very delicious meal. Candice Thayer was inducted as a Certified Property Manager (CPM). She is the first fourth generation CPM in the Institutes history. The band Men in Black provided the music from the 80's and 90's to dance or listen to.
On September 15th the chapter held its 9th annual golf tournament at Granite Links Golf Course. The day started with a great lunch and the election of the 2009 officers. This was followed by the golf tournament with 115 participants. I must say our tournament has the best luck with the weather and a nice 80 degree day. The wind was howling which made hitting the ball straight or gaining any distance a challenge. Everyone enjoyed themselves in particular the views of Great Blue Hill and the reflection of the sunset on the Boston Skyline was spectacular. During the golf tournament the chapter held a well attended IREM Young Professionals event. The objective of the event is to promote professional growth, share ideas and provide a fun, casual and progressive environment to complement the traditional IREM programs. The final event of the day was a great dinner with raffles and a silent auction. The chapter had over 300 participants for the day's activities.
The chapter's November monthly meeting- awards, landscape contest and member appreciation washeld at Venezia Restaurant in Dorchester, Mass. We inducted 12 new ARM's and 9 new CPM's at this meeting. We also recognized The accomplishment of members and friends of IREM.
Seminars
The chapter offered 15 different seminars throughout the year including the following topics: boot camp for property managers, extermination, build envelope, going green, two day OSHA training and energy conservation seminar. All of the seminars were well attended.
Education
The chapter held it's regular courses throughout the year which included: Two ethics courses; managing real estate maintenance operations; marketing an leasing strategies for multifamily properties; successful site management course, one in may and the other in October; the CPM capstone courses concluding with the MPSA Examination.
All of the courses were well attended, and 19 of 20 participants past the MPSA exam.
By the time you read this message I will be a past president, and I will leave with these thoughts:
* Expand your knowledge by taking advantage of the institutes educational offering and resources like IREMFIRST.
* Participate in IREM events. You never know who you are going to meeting and what opportunities may come out for that meeting.
* Volunteer to help operate the chapter and come up with new ideas. A little can go a long way.
* I am very excited about the 2009 leader under the direction of Kate Franco. They have all the tools necessary to build on the entire past president successes.
*Kelley both you and Walter are the best. Thank you for your help throughout the year. You both made my job easier.
Thank you all Bob would be proud!

Winder Nordblom is the 2008 president of the Boston chapter of IREM, Boston, Mass.