This is my first contribution to the Foundation for Historical Louisiana Newsletter as Chair of the Board. I am excited and a bit intimidated by this position. When I first joined the FHL Board I was amazed at how committed the Board members were and how broad the impact of the Foundation was. I had been involved with non-profit activities for quite some time, but nothing prepared me for the experience of working on this Board. I have a lot to live up to and hope that I am up to the challenges that will come in the next two years.

In the few weeks that I have been here FHL has been asked to respond to calls for help from local historic groups involved in their own preservation struggles. It has been gratifying to be able to answer these requests and to provide assistance in these cases. It is also very instructive to me personally regarding the value that an organization like FHL can have in preserving our historic heritage. Everywhere I go the comments I get are so favorable regarding the reputation that FHL has. I look forward to making my own contribution to carry on the work that has gone before.

It is also important that the Foundation continue to grow. In this trying financial time all non-profit groups are finding it increasingly difficult to maintain the funding necessary to continue their commitments. Despite the impact of our work and the value of our mission we are in the same dire situation that all non-profits face. With that in mind I am asking that you reach out to others who, while they may share your interests in historic preservation, have not made the commitment you have to join the Foundation. Talk about FHL and encourage others to join with us in working to preserve our cultural and historic heritage so that future generations will benefit from the goals we pursue in the present..

Mark Upton
Chair, Board of Directors
Foundation for Historical Louisiana