"A lot of good that will do" you say? That’s what I said, too, and continued to think until I received an e-mail from an enthusiastic birder who has committed himself to every spring session at my migration station. Then I received another e-mail, and another, and so on. I have since received e-mails from multiple individuals and students interested in coming out to help. Even if they only come one time, I have succeeded in introducing a new person to a new thing! As of today’s date, more responses have come in as a result of e-mail, listserv and web postings, than the entire season last year. I know ..., I know..., this does not mean I’ll get two or three, or even one "one in a million" excellent volunteers who will be totally dedicated and will catch on to the concept of removing birds from the nets like birds take to the air. It does, however, mean many will come at least once or even twice. They will hopefully enjoy themselves, and tell someone else about their positive experience. If this works for one bander, for one banding station, than perhaps this could be one way to get the word out about O.B.B.A.

The early prognosis of help looks good. But the day of reckoning will be every banding session at 5:30 a.m. while trying to put up nets either by myself or with help. In spite of the early success, I am still looking for other ways to attract good help while providing an avenue for increasing O.B.B.A.’s visibility. Ultimately, our goal should be to attract more quality banders and bird enthusiasts to O.B.B.A. events. This is one method that has worked for me. If you have any ideas, please share them. Some of you have had success in "getting the word out". Share your successes — and failures. A newsletter article could result!

Now that I mentioned newsletter articles and planning ahead, I have to continue by adding: just think how far in advance the OBBA newsletter editor could complete the newsletters if folks planned ahead (if he could only get the president’s perch on time). Simply write down that funny bird joke, copy that small little article you found in some obscure journal or newsletter and send to the editor, or e-mail some recapture data, wintering bird banding data, or any facts or fascinating trivia. How great our editor might feel to have something like this happen. After all, the newsletter still remains the primary means of communication for our members and potential members!

Well... I happen to know first hand that our editor is very excited about this newsletter since five, yes FIVE members submitted items this quarter — by the deadline nonetheless. On behalf of the editor, Thanks, O.B.B.A. members!

Speaking again of planning ahead, our Spring O.B.B.A. meeting is the 29^th of next month. Dick Tuttle and Bob Thobaben have graciously worked out the details in anticipation of a great turnout by the membership, friends & family. The Ohio Wildlife Center, more centrally located geographically, (see insert) should make it a little easier for folks from all around Ohio to attend. A less traditional format is slated as we will travel to the Columbus Zoo to see and hear about their Captive Breeding Program. At the meeting location, we’ll have an open forum on molt limits of woodpeckers. The day will end with a talk on the West Nile Virus by the Director of the OWC. These topics were of interest to members of O.B.B.A. Thanks for the input and ideas!