New Jersey FOOLS…

December President’s Message

First, and foremost, I would like to take this opportunity to wish all of the FOOLS in New Jersey, and also through out the country and world, a Happy and Safe Holiday season. The year has been an interesting one to say the least. We were able to accomplish quite a lot this year, jump starting and motivating the Chapter. We were able to have several well attended and informative educational seminars, along with running an absolutely outstanding hands-on class during the spring. I will expand on what’s to coming in relation to that in just a bit. To read more visit the president’s message page.

November President’s Message

A few weeks ago a package arrived at my front door…….in it was a pair of enormous shoes. I sat and looked at these shoes, wondering why I had received them, as they were far too big for me to fit into. Then I looked at the nametag in these shoes, and I now knew where they had come from. The name in the shoes was Bill Hopson.  To read more please visit the President’s Message Page.

Bill’s Last Message…

It’s been a while since we’ve been in touch.  Sorry about that.  There has been a few changes in the Chapter.  While the transition has been smooth, time continues to fly by and all of a sudden, here’s fall.  Let me explain.

Back in the Spring, I let our E-Board know that I had intended to step down, as Chapter President, in December of this year.  Over the course of the summer, that timetable was speeded up to September when Art Bloomer became the 3^rd President in Chapter history.  Art has been with us for a long time and you will recognize him as our merchandise guy on the E-Board.  All of us should feel confident Art and the new E-Board will bring the Chapter to a new level.

When I say new E-Board, Aaron, Tom D, Justin, Mike Sanna and John Lewis all remain in place.  Dave Krouse has been added as our new E-Board member.  Dave will handle all things membership, so all membership inquiries will go through Dave.  There are new procedures in place to apply for Chapter membership and it made sense to have a single person coordinating this. Dave has been a loyal Chapter member for some time and he was the obvious choice to head this task.

In the coming months, I am sure Art will explain other changes the Chapter has been directed to make.  We are all excited about what lies ahead for us.  All good.  All positive.

Since Art has graciously allowed me to use up this space, please permit me to say “Thank You” to each and every one of you.  I really did enjoy my time as Chapter President.  It was definitely a “labor of love.”  I really would not have traded this experience for anything.  From our earliest days, let me first thank John Lewis, who initially stepped up to the plate and took the reigns as our initial Chapter President.  John’s vision of what we could become was the blueprint I tried to apply and realize during my tenure.  I cannot thank John enough for showing me the way initially and for being a very steady friend when we were all trying to get on the same page.

I also want to thank Justin, who has been just incredible.  There was never a time, (even when we were not so organized), that he was not willing to stay on board with the Web Site and keep the Chapter visible.   What he was tasked with several times was not easy nor glamorous.  I have always appreciated his efforts on behalf of the Chapter.

I would also like to thank our Brothers from Wycoff, Franklin Lakes and Groveville, who stuck with us and provided us with support.  Hey, we might not have always agreed on Chapter issues, but I always knew the doors were open up that way and that was vital to getting us completely organized.  All I’m saying here is that all of the efforts up that way, were always appreciated. Very much so.

Without making too much more fanfare, I would be completely remiss if I did not mention how much I appreciated being able to work with Aaron and Tom Decker.  I can completely re-call trying to get Tom and some Cherry Hill members to “buy in” to the F.O.O.L.S. concept while we were having some cigars and some adult beverages, out in Indianapolis one year.  If I had known all I needed to do was had Tom a larger cigar than the one he had, they would have been on board much earlier….. TD – appreciate everything you have done. I know you know.  You are an incredible friend.

So, what to say about Aaron????  Well, tomorrow’s his 40^th Birthday, so I am sure there is nothing more he would enjoy than a MINIMUM of 40 calls to his cell phone, extending Birthday wishes from Chapter members. (609-743-0166).  Seriously, it’s his Birthday, please call.  It’s a JERSEY F.O.O.L.S. call to duty…..

In my 6 years there is not a person I turned to more or solicited advice from more.  Having him receive the Dana Hannon Award can be no greater ending to a wonderful run.

To close, please accept my sincerest of Thanks to every Chapter member who I have met, worked with on a project or simply kept in touch with over the last 6 years.  Taking over from John was no easy task and I was very fortunate to have the support of a very focused and hard working Executive Board.  We did accomplish all of the things we always dreamed about and that is a cool thing.

Again, the Chapter is very healthy and good things are always on our horizon.  I look forward to seeing what Art and the E-Board have going and I look forward to seeing many of you at our next Chapter event.  Thank You all for 6 very cool years.  I enjoyed this ride tremendously. I have learned so much from so many.  KTF – EGH – FTM – PTB – RFB – D.T.R.T.

Bill H

Updates on the way…

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