Dear Members and Visitors to the USRI website,

As I write this (on March 10, 2008) I am just settling into another regular work week. However, my weekend was anything but "regular". I spent a good portion of both Saturday and Sunday in the company of some really interesting and wonderful people. I attended the USRI Annual Meeting and helped man the USRI booth at the Boise Roadster Show. As I rubbed elbows with, and listened to, some of the influential people in the Idaho rodding society, I was in awe of the vast treasure trove of knowledge and history that rests with those people. But equally, I was struck with the passion for our sport/hobby/vocation that was so much in evidence. Lastly... well, is there any group of friendlier, happier people than a bunch of car-nuts? I think not!

From builders to restorers to exhibitors to vendors to just-plain-car-enthusiasts, few things can get a discussion going like talking about a car. Talking about three deuces to a car-person is like mentioning Joe Montana to a football nut. And it is the passion for "all-things cars" that makes USRI such an important group. As you probably know, the organization was formed almost 30 years ago by people who foresaw that if they didn't work together to protect the things they had a passion for, those things would eventually be lost -- or at least severely diminished. I met some of those original people this weekend, and let me tell you – they are no less dedicated to keeping that passion alive than they were in 1979. I salute them and thank them for giving us the opportunity to keep working on the behalf of our love for automotive creativity, admiration and enjoyment.

I was given the honor of being elected as the next president of USRI on Saturday. Although I haven't been a part of USRI for long, I can tell you that I immediately embraced the mission that we have. And it was frankly a no-brainer for me to want to volunteer some time and energy to further the legacy that the founders have left us. I promised that during my term, I would search for ways to increase our membership so that we could do two things: 1) obviously, it's important to be able to present a large constituency when presenting a position to the legislature or governing bodies -- frankly, it's simply a game of numbers sometimes; 2) to continue to bring new blood, fresh ideas and diversity into the group. No, I'm not talking about turning USRI away from its tradition and historical underpinnings -- but every time I'm around cars (like at the Roadster Show), I see people of all ages and demographics wandering around, admiring, taking pictures, and asking questions of the owners. I would like us to tap more of those folks to help us accomplish our goals (and maybe even set some new ones). It's true that if you don't grow and change some, you wither and die!

In closing, I would like to thank the outgoing Officers, who will be relinquishing their offices at our Fall Meeting -- and also the rest of the incoming slate (most of them returning in one capacity or another after already having served this organization over the years). We will of course be more formally observing each of these folks as the transition to the 2008 Officers takes place. I look forward to learning from them and absorbing all the knowledge and passion I can -- I consider this to be a great opportunity for myself.

Thank you,
Curtis Stoddard
USRI President Elect 2008-2009