In January, the mantle was passed to me from the capable leadership of Dr. Marie-Jose Nzengou-Tayo.  I eagerly face the challenges ahead, and look forward to our collaboration as we head into HSA’s 20th year.      
 Over the last few months, much of my focus has been negotiating  with Lynn University  for our October Conference;  the On-Site Committee  Co-Chairs, Drs.  Marcheta Wright of Lynn, and Marlene Racine Toussaint of HSA and the 2007  Conference Co-Chairs Drs. Guitele Nicoleau and Guerda Nicola are insuring that all will be satisfactory to each “Haitianist” and the friends who will attend.
In March, I had the pleasure of visiting Haiti’s first rural University – FONDWA – located in the hills between Jacmel and Leogane.  I was received most courteously and was able to assess the meritorious work they are doing in training young Haitians so that CHANGE can be implemented and sustained in Haiti by Haitians.
In April, the Executive Board met for the Annual Board Meeting at Lynn University, in Boca Raton, Florida where we were graciously hosted by Co- Chair Dr. Marcheta Wright and members of the local Conference Committee.  At the meeting, planning of the October conference was discussed as well as other administrative matters concerning the Association and its continued development. HSA has long understood the value of young scholars in order to insure a continuum.  We were able to implement the first steps for an aggressive outreach to young Haitians, Haitians-Americans scholars.   A permanent committee of “Emerging Scholars” was created as well as a special fund.  We ask all those generously inclined to send in donations targeted for that specific purpose.
I take this opportunity to remind you that the deadline to submit papers or panels at the 19th conference is June 15th.  The Conference Committee -- with the participation of an enthusiastic On-Site Committee - is busy preparing an exciting and thought-provoking program of activities at Lynn University.  We all hope that you will be inspired by the theme of the conference – Weaving Transnational Ties: Partnering for Haiti.  We sincerely look forward to your participation for another memorable Annual Conference (dates: October 4-6, 2007). We also encourage you to become members of HSA.
The Journal of Haitian Studies (JOHS) is our academic publication.  Remember that your contribution is important to ensure the regular publication of this scholarly Journal.  We invite you to become an ambassador for JOHS as well as HSA.  We accept articles in Haitian, French, and English.  Our editor, Claudine Michel, and her team at the UC-Santa Barbara Center for Black Studies are doing their best to ensure that articles published have a high academic standard.  Thanks to your submissions, the JOHS can become The Reference Journal about Haiti and, hopefully, inform policies that will help the country move forward.
As we work to insure a successful 19th Annual Conference at Lynn University, we invite you to participate fully and wish you a fruitful, restful and productive summer.

Cordially,

 Florence Bellande Robertson, Ph.D.
President, Haitian Studies Association