The XXIII Estonian American National Council convened on October 13-15, 2023 at the Lakewood Estonian House in Jackson, New Jersey for the 2023 Annual Meeting of the Council. Representatives from around the country participated in a weekend of engaging discussions, important planning, and strategy sessions, and set the Activity Schedule and Budget for 2024.

Among the key agenda items was the election of the new council president. After four terms (17 years) as EANC council president and chairman, Marju Rink-Abel introduced the vote by emphasizing that the council president serves the 30,000 strong Estonian American population in the United States, and fills important roles of responsibility to best represent the interests of Estonia and Estonians in the US. She wished the to-be candidates well, and thanked the Council for their work and support. Marju Rink-Abel will stay on in Ex Officio role on the board for one year. Two nominations were made from the floor, and it was ultimately San Francisco-based Mai-Liis Bartling, who won the vote with a large majority, and stepped into the position of EANC president.

Mai-Liis Bartling has been a council member since 2014, and had previously served as EANC vice president for two terms. She is the long-time president of the San Francisco Estonian Society and was an organizing team member of the West Coast Estonian Days “LEP-ESTO” in San Francisco in 2013. Mai-Liis is a ember if the Estonian choir of San Francisco; and has been active in Estonian activities for most of her life. She recalls fondly days of guiding, Estonian folk-dancing, Metsa Ülikool, and much more. The Council is supportive of Mai-Liis as she takes on her new position as EANC President, which she will undoubtedly carry out with her characteristic openminded and non-assuming approach to solving issues and tackling new challenges. Mai-Liis received a warm welcome by the council, and is already busy handling large issues of interest to Estonian Americans, such as how to best support Estonian organizations around the US, where the future of ESTO festivals should head; she is leading the appeal to the Foreign Ministry and Government of Estonia to reconsider its recent unexpected decision to close Consulate generals in the United States.

Marju Rink-Abel will stay on Ex Officio for one year. The 11-member Council Board was elected at the annual meeting in 2022, and continues its work. Marju´s successful tenure was celebrated at the October 14th Community Celebration alongside EANC Awardees. Külli Rannamäe, long-time director of the Lakewood Estonian School, was presented the award for Outstanding Service to the Estonian American Community). Eesti Spordiliit, the Estonian Amateur Athletes Association in the USA, (award accepted on behalf of EAAA by current president Tarmo Pallop) was presented the Outstanding Estonian-American Organization Award. (Photos to be posted soon.) Marju has certainly earned the long-lasting and enthusiastic applause she received from the public in attendance, as well as the sincere and heartfelt tributes that came her way from old friends, colleagues, and notably the Ambassador of Estonia to the United States, H.E. Kristjan Prikk, who was also in attendance at the EANC 70th Anniversary Community Celebration. Throughout its 70-year history, the Council has had numerous strong presidents and council bodies, who have always risen to meet the given challenges of the day. We thank the Estonian community for the warm wishes an continued support on the occasion of our 70th anniversary.