Although there have been several articles in previous ARPAS Newsletters about the establishment of an ARPAS Foundation, many of you are still not well informed on its presence or purpose. In the recent ARPAS survey, we had two questions related to the ARPAS Foundation.

The first question asked: Are you aware that ARPAS has an Educational Foundation?
Number of responses: 438 

Yes.....123.....28.1% 
No.......315....71.9% 

Obviously we have done a poor job in our communications. We will start anew.

**ARPAS HAS ESTABLISHED AN ARPAS FOUNDATION TO FUND EDUCATIONAL ENDEAVORS.**

The second question to members was: What type of educational pursuits would you recommend the Foundation monies be used for? 
Number of Responses: 138

Your top four responses as summarized by the Foundation Committee were as follows:

The ARPAS Foundation should provide 
1. Educational support for students, including graduate students,
2. Educational support for programs aimed at consumers,
3. Educational support for programs aimed at ARPAS members, and
4. Educational support for programs aimed at producers and allied industry.

The Foundation has over $40,000 in assets that are invested in safe, but minimal-return investments. Only the earnings from the investments can be used to fund educational projects. If we are to have a meaningful amount of money to spend each year on educational programs, we have to grow the assets of the foundation and probably seek investments with a little more return.

Recently received comments from one member stated, "All I can say is put a challenge out to the ARPAS group for end of the year donation to the Foundation. I just sent in my gift to the Foundation. We need to have our priorities and stay strong. Membership and the maintenance of it (the Foundation) will make this organization strong." 

Please consider a donation to the ARPAS Foundation and consider being a member of the ARPAS Foundation Committee.