NDAA's future is viable.

• Author: Cohen, Kay Chopard
• Position: National District Attorneys Association

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." --Martin Luther King, Jr.

NDAA HAS STOOD with America's prosecutors in times of challenge and controversy and is coming out on the other side to a time of turnaround and renewed strength. As Donnie Myers told you in the last issue I am not new to NDAA and am pleased to be returning after 15 years of managing national nonprofit organizations. Exciting times have already begun at NDAA and I encourage you to take the opportunity to get involved and take a leadership role both in NDAA and in national criminal justice policy.

I have been asked many times whether NDAA remains a viable organization and I am pleased to give you the answer --absolutely! Finances continue to improve and the audit recommendations are much closer to being resolved and caught up. Revenues are up in our national courses as well as member dues, and we even made money on the summer conference for the first time in many years. While we are not out of the woods, we continue to grow and attain better stability.

My vision for NDAA and America's prosecutors is that we will take the lead to be present and engaged in national policy discussions. Now more than ever, we are giving voice to the nation's prosecutors.We have established a very strong presence on the Hill in this new Congress. The prosecutor's view is being heard and is being sought after by senators and congressmen. As the Legislative Committee will attest, we are continually asked to provide input on legislation more often before its introduction. Please be sure to watch for your monthly e-newsletter, "View from the Hill," providing a summary of the work our government affairs director, Nelson Bunn, is doing to represent prosecutors. This year the Capital Conference was a resounding success. A list of legislative priorities and talking points are available if you did not receive them at the conference. Our thanks to the states that sent delegations of prosecutors; many included their state association directors. The participation by many senators and congressmen at our Congressional Reception was a testament to their interest in hearing from prosecutors and working with NDAA.

NDAA's training and technical assistance continue to be among its strongest assets. Every month, national training programs are available around the country. See a listing in this issue for the...