The HOSA web site at http://www.hosa.org (where you are right now), is a great place to find out what's going on in HOSA through the use of your computer.

You and your Chapter can:

• Find out information about the national organization, including the HOSA Bylaws, HOSA Inc. Bylaws, and the HOSA Handbook.
• Get information about the upcoming National Leadership Conference in Nashville, TN.
• Find out who the Competitive Events winners are from the previous NLC.
• Find out information about the state organizations.
• Look through the guidelines of various competitive events.
• Find out information about HOSA membership.
• Affiliate your HOSA Chapter through the site.
• Download HOSA software.
• Find out how to contact the National Headquarters Staff and National HOSA Officers.

Not only can you do all this, but you can also now chat with fellow HOSA members and Advisors by using the HOSA Chat rooms. These chat rooms can be found in the "What's New at HOSA's Web Site?" section. You simply click on the link labeled "HOSA now has Chat Rooms" through the use of one of the following browsers:

• Netscape communicator or Navigator 4.04 with the Java 1.1 Update
• Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0
• Netscape Navigator 2.02 or Communicator 4.04 for OS/2 with Java 1.1.4 Support.
• Sun's HotJava Browser
• Other Java 1.1 compliant browsers (not tested)

You may need to download the upgraded versions of these browsers or the Java application. You can go onto the Internet and find these upgrades.

Once you have arrived in the chat room and read the instructions, it is time to have some fun. You now have an opportunity to talk to HOSA members across the country just about anything. You can discuss how your Chapter is making money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation (R) or just how you're spending your free time. The possibilities are endless!

HOSA members are invited to jump into cyberspace at www.HOSA.org, enter the HOSA chat room, and communicate instantly with your National Officer team!

January 30, 2 pm CST
Taking Advantage of HOSA
The National Officers will answer your questions about the advantages of HOSA membership and National Competitive Events program.

April 18, 5 pm CST
National Leadership Conference Preview
If you're planning on attending the June 1999 NLC in Nashville Tennessee, you won't want to miss this chat session. The National Officers have been there, and can't wait to share their inside look at what promises to be the most exciting NLC ever!

As those of you who were at the 1998 National Leadership Conference know, the Make-A-Wish Foundation (R) has been made the national service project for the next two years. The Make-A-Wish Foundation (R) is an organization that takes donations and turns dreams into realities. Any child up to the age of 18 years old that has been diagnosed with a terminal illness may make a wish. They are put on a list, and as long as there is enough money, that wish will be granted. These wishes range from the usual -- a trip to Walt Disney World -- to the unusual -- a safari in Africa. Many children also wish for computers, entertainment theatres, and various other Items and trips. These wishes generally average a cost of $4,000 each. Not to put an emphasis on money -- however, wishes would not be granted if there were no funding. There are many ways for individuals and also groups (schools) to raise money for this organization.

By contacting your state association of the Make-A-Wish Foundation (R), you can arrange a presentation for your group. The presentation will inform you of the program, give you facts regarding some of the wishes that have been granted, and will five you ideas of how to raise money with the organization. Those ideas include the selling of chocolate wishbones, gold wishbone pins, Christmas cards, and others. Then, you as a group must be creative; there are many ways to raise money for the organization. You could organize and hold a yard sale, create a lunch fundraiser, do a raffle, hold a rock-a-thon, or even a bowl-a-thon. There are really no limits as long as you want to help.

Even if you are unable to raise money for whatever reason, you can simply volunteer your time. The Make-A-Wish Foundation (R) of your state will be able to five you ideas so that you can help them. Volunteering your time is equally as important as raising money. You show your compassion towards the organization by any and every effort you put forth into helping it. Therefore, show as much compassion as possible and do whatever you can to help the Make-A-Wish Foundation (R). You can also visit the Make-A-Wish Foundation (R) web site for more information! If you would like to contact the national Make-A-Wish Foundation (R), here is their contact information:

100 West Clarendon, Suite 2200
Phoenix, AZ 85013
Phone: 800.722.WISH Fax: 602.279.0855
E-mail: MAWFA@wish.org

And don't forget, if you raise at least $100 or volunteer at least 100 hours, you and your Chapter can be recognized on stage at the National Leadership Conference in Nashville, TN. All you have to do is fill out the National Service Project Sheet found in Section B of the National HOSA Handbook! Ask your local Chapter advisor or state advisor for more information.

• Better save that--we might need it for the autopsy.
• Someone call the janitor-we're going to need a mop.
• Oops! Has anyone ever survived 500 ml of this stuff before?
• Ya know, there's big money in kidneys. Heck, the guy has two of them.
• Everyone stand back! I lost my contact lens!
• Could you stop that thing from beating? It's throwing my concentration off.
• Anyone see where I left the scalpel?
• Well, folks, this will be an experiment for all of us.
• Nurse, did this patient sign the organ donation card?
• Rats! Page 47 of the manual is missing!