MEMBERSHIP:   The Southeastern U.S. Chapter membership had another good year in 2008.   This multi-state chapter currently has 17 paid members.

RESTORATION:  A 2,000 acre tract in Washington County on which the Brumley Mountain Fire Tower stands was purchased by the Commonwealth of Virginia as a State Forest.   The County has asked the Virginia Div. of Forestry and the FFLA to restore the fire tower.  A structural evaluation is in progress.  The cab and 10’ of the Gibson Mtn. Fire Tower (VA) has been given to FFLA and will be moved to Madison Co. VA for storage

CHAPTER DEVELOPMENT:  In February the SEUS Chapter transferred 11 members to create the new North Carolina Chapter.   Under the leadership of Director Peter Barr the chapter has doubled its membership to 22.   At year end we are working on establishing a new chapter in Alabama, under the leadership of Tom Kaufman, the new Alabama Representative.

FFLA AREA REPS:  The chapter continues to use “Area Reps” to promote FFLA activities within states, including inventories and establishment of new chapter.   These Reps are:  GA:  Don Shedd;    MS:  M.T. Parker;  MO:  Jim Lyon;  WV:  Ralph Glover, and AL: Tom Kaufman.    

ACTIVITIES:   The chapter is serving as a clearing house for fire tower parts in the southeastern states.    Extensive efforts are being made to update the Virginia fire lookout inventory, both standing and former sites.
A pilot program of Fire Tower Stewards is being tested in cooperation with the National Historic Lookout Register.

PLAN OF WORK FOR 2009;

• Establish a new chapter in Alabama
• Appoint a new FFLA Rep. for South Carolina
• Grow membership by 10%
• Secure storage site for salvaged fire towers in North Carolina or Virginia
• Continue to assist in two restorations.