President’s Column

July - August 2004

Kim Lindsey, President

Sustainable involvement.

That’s the theme I have in mind for our chapter this year.

It means we want to set goals that are realistic in light of the time and energy we NEO STC members actually have to give. It also means we’re willing to put some good ideas on hold in order to pursue others which have a greater immediate benefit for us and a greater chance of success.

Corollary to this theme is focusing on the needs of our own members, and not so much on lists of achievement criteria. STC international has wonderful ideas of what has worked for other groups, but those ideas should be only one of many things we consider; they should not be the standard by which we measure ourselves and develop our self-image as a chapter.

And you know, it was amazing how many times I heard those same two ideas - sustainable involvement and focus on the needs of one’s own members - coming from STC leaders at every level at the international conference in Baltimore last May. We are right in step with the Society as a whole.

I think it says something that, of the approximately fourteen people holding the highest elected positions in STC, two of them are not only from our Region, but from our own chapter. Two out of fourteen - that’s one out of seven, and that’s remarkable.

You’ll be hearing more from me in the next few months about the Transformation of the Society. (Check out the information on STC.org if you’re curious, but remember that nothing is finalized yet.)

For the time being, though, it will be business as better-than-ever for our chapter.

Our monthly meetings will be held at the Independence Holiday Inn the second Thursday of the month, September through November and January through March. The dates for December’s social hour, the combined meeting with the Pittsburgh chapter in April, and the banquet in May have been set as well.- Watch for details on program topics and speakers very soon. It looks to be an exciting year!

We also want to offer more educational opportunities than ever before, including (but not limited to) the STC WebEx seminars. Topics at the intermediate to advanced levels are particularly desirable. Please contact myself or another board member if you have specific suggestions for training. We will offer as many opportunities as our budget allows.

The one aspect of STC’s Transformation you should see right away, is an emphasis on providing every member with value for their membership dollar.

What would make STC, and especially NEO STC, more valuable to you? Now is the time to express your wants and needs, because now - like the folks at DayTimers say - “It’s all about YOU!”

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