One of the principal benefits from membership in any section is the opportunity for continuing education and the exchange of ideas and insights that specialized seminars and forums in public corporation law provide to attorneys. During the last year, PCLS has sponsored three seminars. The first was held in conjunction with the 66th Annual Meeting of the State Bar. The program on sewer backup issues facing municipalities paled in light of the issues facing the nation that week. In February, at the section's Winter Seminar, part of the program was devoted to emergency preparedness with a panel of law enforcement officials participating. The 4th Annual PCLS/MAMA Summer Conference was held June 28-30 and included a new approach to brainstorming and sharing issues with public meeting problems being responded to by the attendees.

Although attendance was down for each of the seminars this year, the reviews on the topics presented were very favorable. With this in mind, the section council is committed to doing a better job of marketing the programs, keeping costs down, and targeting topics of interest. A planning committee of PCLS members will be created for 2002-2003, which will report to the section council on program ideas and ways to make the programs for accessible to the members. Committee members are being solicited now. It has also been decided that the section will continue its partnership with the Michigan Municipal League in jointly hosting the Summer Seminar for 2002-2003, which is scheduled for Mackinac Island at the Grand Hotel.

The section's Quarterly Publication Committee was faced with a difficult year as submissions for publication were down. This is a valuable resource for reaching the section membership and beyond. The section, on the suggestion of the State Bar, is exploring various ways, including direct solicitation, assistance from law schools and ICLE, etc. to increase its content. The section is also exploring the possibility of expanded use of its State Bar website and the development of a listserv for members.

I have been honored to serve as the section chair this year and am grateful for the assistance of my officers, Dan Matson, vice-chair, and Clyde Robinson, secretary-treasurer. The professional education and opportunities that membership in the section provides are ones that will be amply "looked-after" by incoming chair, Dan Matson. I wish him and all the members of the section success in 2002-2003.

Mary Joan Fales, Chair