Dear Members:

Our efforts in educating the public and reaching out to small and minority contractors has culminated in great results for 2006.  The Surety Association of Indiana is the recipient of a Gold Award in Excellence from SIO.  This is the first time our organization has received any awards from SIO. 

We welcomed five new members in 2006.  We conducted six presentations to various construction related audiences explaining the value of bonding, how to qualify for bonds, and reviewing sample financial statements  to aide in developing our community education responsibilities.  In January 2006, we challenged a new Bill that would have changed the public project threshold from $150,000 to $500,000  and successfully defeated the increase in the House of Representatives.  Our accomplishments in 2006 have lead to greater and more challenging goals for 2007.

Our goals for 2007 are even greater and with member support, we will achieve all of them.  Our goals include adding six new members, conducting ten presentations to promote bond use, and to participate in training seminars for small and minority contractors in conjunction with the Indianapolis Black Chamber of Commerce and the State of Indiana Department of Administration.  We have already been very involved in the opposition of the public project threshold increase that was revisited during the 2007 Legislative Session.  Our members made a great showing at the Senate Committee hearing and several members testified in opposition of  SB211.  We will continue to make contacts and develop solid relationships within the State Government Agencies in order to promote our involvement in Bill and bond language before the laws are enacted rather than after.  These goals can be realized with your assistance.  It is our plan to become a valued partner with related industry businesses and community growth throughout the State of Indiana.  We are committed to quality programs for our membership.  Our goal is to make our meetings a "can't afford to miss" function.

Sincerely,

Sharon Stradling

President