This issue of CQ focuses on CASA — past, present and future. As Jack notes in his Message from the Chair, we are an organization in transition. Gone are the "glory days" when we had both Mary Ellen and SJI funding. As Paul and Kembra's articles about the AJEI/AJC November Kick-Off make clear, we are in for considerably leaner times. But, as Martha's article about CASA's history shows, we have weathered tough times like these before.

As an organization in transition, we are faced with numerous challenges and questions, including: How important is it for us to have our "own" seminar, apart from the appellate judges and lawyers? How important is it for us to have a seminar in the summer? What are the benefits of having a combined seminar with the appellate judges and lawyers? What role can we play with AJEI staff to ensure that future seminars address our needs and are sufficiently substantive? What do we need to do to mend our relationships with the powers-that-be? Should we consider other alternatives to the AJEI, and if so, what are those alternatives? What do we as members of CASA want for our organization?

I believe that we all have a responsibility to debate and discuss these and other questions. Charting the course for the future of CASA is not solely the responsibility of our Executive Committee. Ours is a membership organization. We must each play our part. We each can and should have a say in our organization's future. We need to explore and create avenues for frank discussion about these issues. One suggestion would be to create a CASA web log ("blog") or a chat room for us to mull over these questions collectively. Another suggestion is for the Executive Committee to provide members with periodic updates on the situation with the AJEI and AJC.

My thanks to everyone who contributed articles: Jack Fowler, Wendy Jones, Bill Lowe, Paul McGrath, Marge McCoy, Martha Newcomb, Kembra Smith, and Melissa Wood. Thanks also to our unofficial official photographer, Bill Lowe and a special thanks to Meredith White, Technology Coordinator for the Judicial Division.

If you have any comments or suggestions or want to submit ideas for articles, please contact me or any member of the Publications Committee.

Thank you,
Anne Nuttelman
Editor-in-Chief
ANuttelman@courts.state.nh.us
(603) 271-2646, ext. 287

Publications Committee:
Terri Bezek
Susan Dautel
Kate Gallagher
Nancy Nutto Hughes
Edna Mann
Martha Newcomb
Sue Peppard