Throughout all of my changing circumstances, the IAHC has meant "home" to me. Even when I relocated I could always connect with the IAHC. It has grounded my work, provided continuity of scholarship, research, and colleagueship that otherwise would have been absent in a career with many stops. The IAHC has been and will continue to be a place to dream for all who choose to do so. When one is at "home" one can be authentically present in all the multiple ways we may reflect ourselves. We can risk our vulnerability and encounter support. When conflicts arise (as they must in any "home"), we can expect to have them acknowledged and worked through with respect for the person and a belief that within the creative tension lies the potential opportunity for future growth. Honoring diversity within a vision of connectedness is part of the IAHC tradition. At my first IAHC gathering, there were audible gasps when I stated that my interests centered around the "economic utility of caring." With the assistance of many in IAHC, I was critiqued and mentored through the development of this concept. As a result, I believe my work became richer, more authentic, and of potentially greater usefulness than it otherwise would have been. My dream is that the IAHC can serve as a "home" to many more nurse scholars and aspiring scholars, whether they be in education, research, or practice settings and no matter where they are located. Let us dream, reflect, and act together NOW. The IAHC Board is energized, poised, and ready to work for the fulfillment of our collective dreams. Help us to know what your dreams are, infuse us with your energy, work with us and through us toward the fulfillment of your aspirations. Stay connected with us, engage in dialogue with us, inquire, collaborate, and challenge us to do and be more.

As the Board assumes its charge to serve you and to advance the goals of IAHC, be with us on this adventurous journey of care discovery and knowledge dissemination Help the IAHC make a difference to those client and constituent groups who count on us to keep caring as the essence and central focus of our nursing practice. The IAHC Board is revising the organization's strategic goals and directions. Please give us your ideas. We meet to begin discussion on June 18. Ideas are always welcome but those submitted before the 18th can be incorporated into our immediate discussion. CONNECT with us through contacting either the IAHC Business Office (address on letterhead) or you can contact me directly at: UWEC School of Nursing Department of Nursing Systems Eau Claire, WI 54702-4004 Phone: (715) 836-5837 / FAX: (715) 836-5971 E-mail: Valentkl@uwec.edu To paraphrase the words of Oliver Twist, "consider yourself at home" within IAHC. I will be "at home" with you, waiting, attentive and eager to listen. Best wishes to you in your continued work. We look forward to hearing from you. Sincerely, Kathleen Valentine President, IAHC International Association for Human Caring