Wow! It seems the past two years have flown-by. What an honor it has been for me to have served our industry as the president of the Southern Gospel Music Guild. This month in Louisville during the NQC the SGMG members will elect a new slate of officers at the SGMG Annual Meeting. Under the leadership of the nominating committee chairman Paul Beauvais, I feel confident that we will have a great team to continue to support and strengthen our industry.

There is a long list of great people that have contributed to the success of these past two years and I would like to especially mention those that went beyond the call of duty this year.

Harmony Honors, Earl Galloway: BMI support, Joyce Rice: Historian, Lou Hildreth ; Membership, Beckie Simmons: Treasurer, Ed Leonard: Secretary,Gary Casto: Website, Stacey Murphy: PR, Crystal Burchette, Assistant to the President, Donna Beauvais and also thanks to the Vice Presidents: Clarke Beasley, Ed Harper, Todd Payne, John Pfiefer and Chris White.

Paul Boden publisher of the U.S. Gospel News along with his dedicated staff under the hard working Donna Kaye Rogers have been wonderful in giving us a full page each month. Also thanks to Kathy Powers, who made me laugh during many late night deadlines at the U.S. Gospel News.

Over the past two years I have been asked: "What does one get from joining the SGMG?" In my case I enjoy the sense of gratification I get not only from knowing that I am helping my own business but that I am giving to the next generation too. Sometimes it is hard to measure success just by "dollars n cents." Years ago someone taught me that you are to do in life what you are called and love to do: "Money will follow." I treasure the friendships that have been formed over these past 40 years of working in Gospel Music. One of these friendships started with my dear friend Sue Dodge where in the early 70's we served together on the GMA Board of Directors. Recently I was pleased to have my friend Sue invite me to be her guest on the Templeton Tour's Charles Stanley Alaska Cruise. Now that was a big pay-off. What a ball it was to have a chance to not only sit under the great bible teaching of Dr. Stanley but to have a really sweet time with many "Old Friends" and hear great Gospel Music too. It was a blessing getting to know Maurice Templeton's grandson, Jacob Templeton as he courageously came to the rescue of a lady that lost her treasured bracelet: he refused to give up until he had found it for her. He bought her another bracelet to make her feel better while he continued to look for her lost one. He succeeded in finding her missing bracelet and then she had two treasured bracelets. 

Determination and caring about others is what will make and keep out industry strong and secure. Please consider membership in the SGMG. You'll be blessed and be a blessing too.

Thanks for a wonderful two years as the first woman president of the SGMG. My love and prayers are with you for an abundantly blessed year ahead.

Sue Dodge with Greater Vision