This message was posted this week from Bill Lawrence. Anyone want to pick up the ball? Changing of the Guard at the NPYOA: It is hard to believe that it was more than fifteen years ago when I came away from lunch with Bill Shaw at the Atlantic City Boat Show with the idea of forming the National Pearson Yacht Owners Association. Bill provided a tremendous amount of encouragement and assistance and ultimately a most valued friendship as we pulled the association together. Looking back on what all of us have done in the way of gathering information on the Pearson company, its various model yachts, and the volumes of technical data we have inventoried over the years, I can comfortably say that we have managed to created a valuable resource for all Pearson owners. Alas, I now feel it is time to pass the baton to someone who will bring a new jolt of creative energy to our group. I think that the passing of my mentor and friend, Bill Shaw took the wind out of my sails and reduced my commitment to the association to something less than it deserves. As you know, I have volunteered a considerable amount of my time to the NPYOA all these years as well as a substantial amount of my financial resources to bring the association to its current point. Due to increasing professional and personal obligations, I am no longer able to devote the time this project needs to properly serve its membership. It is important to me that all the assets of the Association go to someone who will bring new ideas and energy to the NPYOA so that it will continue to help all of us better care for our boats, The new NPYOA director should reach out and bring our sister associations closer together, reinstate our annual Rendezvous and, possibly, revive our association newsletter, The Pearson Current. New thinking into enhancing our web site and implementing other new ideas would surely be welcomed by Association members. Presently the NPYOA assets consist of an extensive (about 3,000 names) database of current and past NPYOA members, the information on our web site which includes all back issues of the Pearson Current with Bill Shaw's commentary, the online Pearson marina, our archived Forum, parts and equipment resources list (which needs to be updated) and a large library of original manuals, brochures and documentation on most of the Pearson Yachts. Intangibles like the value of the NPYOA name, its recognition on the internet, and fifteen years of service are not to be overlooked. I put this notice out for all Pearson members to review. I want to offer the association to anyone who can make the best offer to me for all its assets. My primary and overriding concern: being assured that whoever takes it on will give it and the NPYOA membership the same commitment and energy I've given it through the years. I sincerely hope that one of you or, by referral, some one else will pick this banner up and run with it. I would very much want the new management to not only continue serving our current and future membership but to provide a whole new level of creative thinking and energy to the NPYOA, to notch it up to the new heights it truly deserves. Please email your interest in assuming the responsibility to manage the NPYOA to me at wlawrence@pipeline.com. I wish you all smooth and safe sailing. Bill Lawrence