We're all facing an uncertain 2009 economy. I've heard from a lot of members in our guild that times are indeed tough for them right now, and it doesn't seem likely that next year promises better.

However, as a guild, we have a very exciting 2009 planned for you all. Jeff and Julia Woods are going to be with us in the spring, and we have Joyce Tenneson in the summer. We're thinking of holding a Photoshop-intensive Little Red Schoolhouse next year, and we'll continue our new tradition of the DPPA Ladies Retreat in the spring. We're also going to be adding a 'General Album' category in addition to our 'Wedding Album' category in our monthly print competition - more about that will appear shortly on our website.

Most of you all know Edward Holmberg (our 2009 DPPA President), but if not, introduce yourselves to him at the next meeting. He's a great guy, he was the DPPA President in 1997, he's a PPA Master Photographer, and he should add a lot of fun to the guild next year. I know he already has some great ideas that I'll let him spell out in the upcoming months.

I've written in the past about how being a member of the Dallas PPA can be of immediate and lasting importance to each of us - both personally and financially. We form enduring friendships,  but financially, by being members of the Dallas PPA, we gain business and photographic knowledge from our speakers and peers, as well as mutual client referrals.

I'd like to urge you all to increase your participation in the Dallas PPA. We need the guild more these days than ever. Our goals are to foster communication and support between local photographers and to improve the standards of professional photography in the Dallas and Fort Worth areas. Both of those goals are vital to all of our long-term successes.

As with anything, the more you put into something, the more you get out of it. The more you attend the monthly and special meetings, participate in our print competitions, volunteer to help with our activities, and talk with DPPA members, the more you'll get out of being a member of the Dallas PPA.

Thanks a bunch for all of your help and enthusiasm this past year. We've had some great monthly meetings and special events. I'd especially like to thank our fantastic 2008 DPPA Board, our sustaining members (our wonderful vendors), and the many volunteers we've had this year - those that pitched in at the summer party, the Ladies Retreat, Little Red Schoolhouse, and our Holiday Party; those that hosted mentor's and master's classes; our judges at the general meetings; the help at our general meetings like the meal ticket takers; and those that helped with National Adoption Day.

Happy Holidays to you all, and see you next year!