[16 January 2009]

The Executive Board of State Law Enforcement Chiefs’ Association met today and made a decision to cancel the 2009 Winter Training Summit scheduled for March 2-4, 2009.  This decision was based on the following factors:

·         Input from our partners to include the E-Board and state law enforcement agency directors

·         Direction from the Legislature regarding travel restrictions and conference attendance

·         Lower than expected membership renewals for 2009

·         Drastically lower projected attendance levels for the training summit.

The Board agreed that we will have a meeting during the week of the originally scheduled summit that will include the following items:

·         Annual business meeting which will be properly noticed and open to all members

·         Installation of new officers

·         Full recognition of our Officer of the Year nominees and their families

The Awards and Nominating Committee and the Conference Committee are charged with locating a suitable venue, with an emphasis on a mid-day event in the Tallahassee area (to allow for travel) and to explore the possibility of using the original vendor, The Inn at Wildwood for the meeting.  Dates and times will be announced as soon as is feasible.

This was a very difficult decision, yet at the same time, it was very clear to our Board that in an effort to show our cooperation with the current financial crisis and to avoid any negative public perception issues, this was the right thing to do.  I appreciate the professionalism shown by every member of this association and the support shown to me as your president.

Sincerely,

Julie Jones

President of SLECA