I am from South Africa and my first interest in birds or parrots was having a budgie (parakeet) as a child. I work in the computer field, immigrated to the USA 10 years ago, and got my first large parrot here. I became involved with WAES, and Dennis and I took on the website and newsletter. Dennis is still doing the newsletter. I then did a year of rescue and have been Special Event Director this year. I think it was a good year for me doing Special Events, but decided to run as President for next year.

WAES is having more difficult times than usual during this recession, and really needs the support of the current members, and needs to recruit new members to support the effort of educating people about parrots and the rescue of parrots that lose their homes. I believe WAES biggest challenge is to get known to the people interested in parrots that are out there, and get them to join in this effort.

Last year I started work on a fundraising event "Belly Dance for the Birds". We already reserved the venue and this is something I committed to and plan to complete next year with the help of the new board and the support of the members. I hope this will get some publicity for the club as well as raising money, and that all who participate will have some fun doing something new to reach people, and that together we can continue the work WAES has been doing.

Dear Wasatch Avian Education Society members,

My name is Valeriya Dubiel and I am the 2010 Vice President. I have been Secretary of WAES for the year of 2009 and a member since 2007. I enjoy being part of WAES by coming to the meetings. My birds include 2 macaws, 3 cockatiels, an african gray, and a conure.

I am a former dentist from Russia, where I belonged to a dog and cat society and was a breeder of hairless cats. Once I moved to the U.S. I got involved in a rose society, after which I joined WAES.

As Vice President, I hope that I can get to know all of our WAES members better, and get to be of help to some unfortunate birds. I hope to bring more educational value to our club so we can attract more members. I'm an organized and enthusiastic person who is confident that this position will help me learn more about birds and contribute to the club as much as possible.

Thank you,
Valeriya Dubiel

Hi Everyone,

I am Kathie Fowers.

I was born and raised in Pleasant Grove, Utah. My husband and I have lived in Orem, Utah most of our lives. We did live in Hamilton, Montana for a few years, but are back home now.

I have been employed in the financial industry most of my working life. I spend 19 years with credit unions in Utah and Montana. I have been a loan officer, branch manager, vice president and spent three years as president of a credit union in Montana. I have been with Capital Community Bank in Pleasant Grove, Utah for the past five years.

My first bird was Beeker, a wonderful little cockatiel. We have since lost Beeker, but have had a most enjoyable time the last six years with our cockatoos. Right now we have four beautiful umbrella cockatoos. There is Willie, Charlie, Buddy and Rudy. And a very sweet little goffin cockatoo, Tiny. My husband and I have been members of WAES for almost a year now and I would like the opportunity to do more with the club in order to help the birds that we love so very much. I consider myself a hard worker and I am very dedicated to my work. My main goal would be to support the officers and members of this club and do everything possible to increase participation and dedication of our members.

Thank you for your consideration.

I am originally from Chicago, and have lived in Salt Lake City since 1980. I am a self-employed CPA and attorney. I joined WAES in 2000, and have served on several committees. I was first appointed Acting Treasurer, then elected Treasurer in 2007. I have enjoyed serving as your treasurer, and I would appreciate the opportunity to continue serving next year.

I am excited about the number of new members who have joined us this year. These people have fostered and adopted our birds, and brought new talents to our organization. We try to serve the needs of our membership, and we would appreciate any suggestions on how we might do this better. We need your help to succeed, and we encourage you to volunteer. The time commitment can be as small as for a single project or event; we have ongoing committees that require more involvement, and we have board and supporting positions for the most enthusiastic. Please help us make WAES an organization you are proud to belong to.

My flock consists of my husband Lee, fledgling Mark who is finishing his undergraduate work at the University of Utah, Grey Poupon (CAG), Crescent (M2), and LJ (CAG) one of the finest WAES rescue birds.

To the membership.

I am Jim Fowers.

I was born and raised of a fruit farm in Orem, Utah. I graduated from the University of Utah in engineering. I served two tours of duty in the United States Army, including 19 months in Viet Nam. I have worked in the Transportation and Highway Safety industry for forty years. I have served on Transportation Boards for the Federal Highway Administration, State of Utah, State of Arizona, State of Wyoming, State of Colorado and the State of New Mexico. I am currently working for a Highway Safety Supply Co in Provo, Utah. I do sales and training for the Departments of Transportation in seven of the Western States as well as the installing contracting companies. I have had the opportunity to work with animals all my life. I have enjoyed many years of working with dog rescue programs here in Utah.

My wife and I have had cockatoos for the past six years and have enjoyed these beautiful creatures more than anything that we have ever done. Four of the five birds that we have now have been rescue birds. Two of these beautiful birds have been adopted thru WAES. Two through our own efforts to save them. As I told the speaker at the first WAES meeting that my wife and I attended, I have a lot more love and compassion for the poor creatures of this world than I do the people. The people, thru their own stupidity, create the problems that cause the birds and animals to suffer.Then the people use flagrant excuses for their own actions and leave others to attend to the birds and animals. Since being a member of WAES, attending the meetings and activities that the club has had, I have seen the need for more people to step forward and support the members that are doing all they can to help the birds. The amount of birds that need our help has been, and is, just staggering. I see the need for people like myself to come to the aid of not only the birds but to support the people who are working so hard to help the birds.

I would appreciate your help to try and help with the needs of rescue. With that being said, I would appreciate it even more, if more of you members would come forward and participate in the efforts of our club to help with the care and needs of these beautiful birds.

Respectfully,
Jim Fowers

I am new to WAES and have not had birds very long. I have found a love and respect for birds. I was born and raised in Salt Lake City. I have 3 children and 3 grandchildren. I am a Medical Laboratory Technician. I look forward to meeting the members of WAES and contributing to the club. I have a green check conure, a red belly parrot, a goffins cockatoo, 2 parrotlets, a dozen english budgies, and a foster bird Buddy.