Dear colleagues, After several issues about cultural/religious differences in APRALO I would like to address it so we can as a united group work together in our diverse cultural, religious and linguist group. I am also involved with another AP group which are facing the same issues, so we are not alone. We are such a diverse organisation that people will and have been offended in the past by behaviour of our members as what is acceptable in one culture is not in another. I know several of you have had recent issues and felt you could not speak to anyone within APRALO. I hope to talk to each ALS individually about any concerns and cultural practices that we as APRALO should observe. It might be that we all need to make some small compromises - but we are a team that represent our region, so a few small compromises is hopefully not too much to ask. I also would like to make sure that you all feel comfortable talking to me in private if you have any issues with APRALO, members, staff, officers, procedures etc. I will treat any issues with the strictest confidence and will do my upmost best to address any issues. Likewise, if you have an issue with me, I am sure either one of our Vice Chairs, Cheryl or the staff would be happy to discuss the issue with you in the strictest confidence and also seek to address the issue. I am certain that by having a more culturally and linguistically aware RALO we can also leverage this to gain more ALS's to join. I welcome any feedback and critique. In the meantime we are working on the Travel Policy feedback for your approval. I hope that will be out in the next few days. Regards, Karaitiana Taiuru