Chicago, IL - The Grants Managers Network is pleased to announce its 2008 annual conference which will be held April 7-9 at the Westin Michigan Avenue Hotel in Chicago Illinois.

This two and a half day event will again feature tracks to maximize participants' experiences. When asked what GMN members can expect from this year's conference, Jordan Faires, Program Committee Co-chair, stated “GMN members can expect to learn about trends affecting grants management (e.g. laws and technology), best practices, and vast networking opportunities! The conference is a grants manager's premier opportunity to learn about our field and how it relates to philanthropy. More than twenty program committee members are working to finalize the plans for the 2008 conference. Look for more information in the upcoming months.

LETTER FROM GMN'S CHAIRS
On behalf of the Grants Managers Network Board of Directors, we're pleased to present the first edition of the new and improved GMN eNewsletter. We think you will find this to be an important source of information about the organization, and we hope it will also further illuminate the important work of GMN's hardworking volunteers. GMN provides its members with opportunities to learn, share information and ideas, and continue building this exciting and outstanding profession.

We would like to express our appreciation to the newsletter committee, particularly Dee Slater and Javier Sanchez, for their hard work in putting this newsletter together. The committee developed the newsletter over many months, taking it from a conceptual stage through layout design, integration with the website, and content management. Their commitment to the project has been extraordinary but not unexpected for GMN members. Dee and Javier and all who participate in the work of the GMN, in so many different ways, epitomize the smart, creative, collaborative roles played by grants managers around the country in their own institutions.

Please remember that GMN would not exist without you. This is your organization and your newsletter. Thus, we hope you will offer your ideas, knowledge and expertise to future editions. The editors will be regularly calling upon committee members, regional groups, the board and the general membership to contribute. You can help by writing an article about our field or identifying articles you think are particularly relevant to grants managers; by identifying important resources from regional associations and other venues; and by letting us know about promotions, honors, awards and other important happenings in your own or in your fellow GMN members' professional and personal lives.

Please don't hesitate to contact any of the committee members listed below with your suggestions, questions and comments.

Sincerely,
Karin Bishop and Kyle Reis
Board Co-Chairs

Newsletter Committee
Peg Butler
Jen Burran
Javier Sanchez
Anne Savastano
Dee Slater