Larry Kirch's Personal Statement Reasons for running for the Board: I first got involved with the Board when I helped facilitate the Society’s first Strategic Plan. As a city planner, I thought I could bring some of my planning and facilitation skills to the Society. I then ran for a Board position because I felt that being on the Board was the best way I could help the cause of MPS. Committees and board responsibilities: Past Vice President, currently the Chair of the Fundraising and Membership Committee, member of the Executive Committee, Legislative Committee, and the ad hoc Technical Committee. Society fundraising activities: Helped my Arizona Kirch family with four "Ace One for Allison" MPS Golf Outings, competed in the Wisconsin Ironman Triathlon in 2005 raising over $4,000 for the Society, helped start the Society’s Annual Fund, assisted with fundraising workshops at the annual Society conferences. Personal interests: hobbies: marathon running, bicycling, beer making, camping, fishing, and gardening. Family: Wife Susan, Daughters Helen (14), Allison (12), MPS III. Education and Profession: City Planning Director, La Crosse, Wisconsin., B.S. Geology, Winona State University, Winona, MN, Masters of Urban Planning, University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee, working on Masters in Philanthropy and Development (aka non-profit fundraising), St. Mary’s University of Minnesota, Winona, MN Community and volunteer activities: YMCA Triathlon Committee for the Healthy Kids Program, United Way Compass III Data Collection Committee Co-Chair. Personal impact of being on the board, goals you hope to achieve: I have had the extreme privilege of getting to know so many great people and their families, especially their MPS children. These people are the greatest! I hope to see the Fundraising Program continue to blossom. From the beginning of the walk/runs by Linda Shine, to the hiring of a great Development Director, to a program that now has about 13 funding sources, the growth has been phenomenal. The growth is a direct result of the dedication of the Board and because of the individuals (lots of them Board Members) who conduct fundraisers as well as those who contribute whatever they can to this great cause. I hope to see that the Strategic Plan, the Fund Development Plan, the Annual Fund Plan and the Annual Workplan/Calendar all work together in a cohesive framework for the benefit of the Mission of the National MPS Society. I hope to do another Ironman fundraiser!