Great Ideas Presents Challenges

The 2012 Great Ideas Conference by American Society of Association Executives blew me away this year. Each evening Linda Eller, Phyllis Hickey, Nita Scott and I met to compare notes on the various sessions we had attended. We took new notes and decided to add items to our technology plan or our headquarters plan or our personal plans. We were challenged to use new social media, to do twice as much work in one-half the time and to breathe.
     We have already shared some ideas with Dr. Jensi Souders and hope to implement them in New York City July 24-28!

Flying time takes calendar

Pausing to color a "Sacred Cow" was more calming than I thought. We then planted the art in a color pot.

It started in Colorado Springs, Colorado, with a Great Ideas Conference offered by American Society of Association Executives. Then visiting Amsterdam, Oslo and West Virginia was followed by an International Finance Committee and Transition meeting. Living in a body that could not decide what time zone to follow created interesting eating and sleeping habits.
     As I tried to keep up with office and other responsibilities, I realized my calendar had suffered time lag, whiplash and several severe -itis complications. It stalled in a time warp with twilight zone overtones and evaded my grasp.
     A trip to a spa (thank you HR team) and memories of visiting a "time out" area in Colorado have helped my calendar land on my desk and reveal that it is "mighty full" in the next two months. Hope you have full days and plan to come to the 2012 International Convention in New York City.

Site Visit Has Positive Results

Riet Smits-Hoenderken, Ria Bleeker and Trijny Schmidt-du Moulin smile during coffee after one of our site visits. Elselien Baas and I are on the other side of the table with the hotel representative.

The 2013 Europe Regional Conference officially has a location. After thorough discussions with tourism boards and suggestions for appropriate-sized facilities, The Netherlands team narrowed the selections to three sites in Amsterdam. Ria (state organization president), Riet (regional conference steering committee chair), Trijny (past regional director), Elselien (conference treasurer) and I asked many questions, looked behind doors and walked hallways.
    We selected a wonderful, open technology center for the meetings and a newly built Holiday Inn Express for sleeping rooms. Just right for the 2013 Europe Regional Conference in Amsterdam, The Netherlands!

Tri-Chapter Luncheon widens horizons of warmth

Members of Theta Kappa Chapter, Texas State Organization, pose for a photo in the lobby after tri-chapter luncheon.

     
     I was among Theta Kappa Chapter members who drove the 30-35 minutes from Seguin, Texas, to San Marcos, Texas, for a tri-chapter luncheon on a Saturday recently. We reinstated this practice after a long hiatus. Nu Chapter in San Marcos hosted the luncheon and members of Alpha Theta in New Braunfels made the third chapter. They will have hostess honors in 2013.
     We ate a lovely catered meal with homemade desserts. Everyone in Alpha Theta and Theta Kappa won a door prize! We enjoyed a musical lesson about The Song, which had everyone smiling and singing. We shared successes and made plans to attend our coming Texas State Organization Convention and the International Convention.  In short, we enjoyed ourselves, met some new people, renewed some friendships, and enjoyed ourselves.

They let me make a plug for attending the 2012 International
Convention in New York City July 24-28...and tell a joke.

     It's so easy to fill a Saturday with errands and projects, but these three chapters have members who enjoyed the short ride with friends. So what else do we do? We catch up with what's happened during a month or more. We talk about elections and debates, the weather, the draught, and new rules leveled by area schools. We compare notes, share ideas, and laugh. We remind each other about coming events and who will drive or make the reservations.
     Sound like your chapter? Probably. This genuine spiritual fellowship grows on you and feels darn good when you need it. Whether we are mentoring early-career educators, playing Bunko with girls at the city youth club, or hearing from the superintendent, we learn and grow together. I hope you are enjoying the information and warmth of your chapter.
(Thanks go to Bobbie Maddox for the photos.)

2012 marks an ending

Corlea, Cale, Barbara and Mother

The new year marked the January 12 death of my mother, Wanda Haren. She would have been 90 in August. An electronic memorial was held for her January 21, and she will be interred at Ft. Bliss Cemetery in El Paso, Texas, Jan 27.

     Thank you for the cards, emails, phone calls, flowers and warm thoughts. Your caring has helped me very much! Thank you.

Wrapping it up!

    From wrapping holiday gifts to wrapping favorite foods, this time of year offers special surprises. I've enjoyed the annual drawing of names for Secret Santa at Society Headquarters this year. As we gathered around the Blanton Room, opened gifts and revealed the Santas, we laughed and groaned at not-so-funny jokes.
     Texans finally got a cold spell (if you will count 56 C high and a 29 C low one week) and wrapped pipes, wrapped up pets and wrapped ourselves in warm coats. We began wrapping up the year by trying to finish Do-It lists and clear desks.
     We also shared wonderful food throughout December. Cookies, cakes, dip, chips, cheese...all were tasty. Friends sent cards, flowers, pears, fruit, chocolates, and popcorn in all flavors. My neighborhood had its annual cookie exchange Dec. 10. After orange juice/champagne, coffee and breakfast casserole, we chatted and circled the table taking an allotted amount of cookies each time around. Each of us went home with a wonderful variety of six dozen cookies. (Don't count calories!)
     On Dec. 3 I opened my home for the Seguin Conservation Society's Heritage Tour of Homes. It rained, but we had more than 300 people (nearly 400 by some counts) come through our homes. Linda, Nita and Phyllis made a special trip from Austin to come to the event!
     I received lovely notes from many state organization presidents by telephone, email, internet cards, and regular mail. Each greeting is treasured as are the friends who sent them. I wish you all a thoughtful close to 2011 and a cheerful greeting for 2012.

Friends, experiences create 2011 collage of variety

     One of many banquets this summer, this dinner table includes friends from Germany, England, Finland and the U.S. The necklace I'm wearing started at the Tennessee Convention, then appeared at the Texas Convention before traveling to all five regional conferences. It was a loan from my generous Tennessee friend, Nancy Davis. I'm still looking for the right thank you gift for Nancy. If you have ideas, give me a call or email.

     The summer included training sessions with the 2011-2013 state organization presidents. They are a wonderful group of caring women. They presented me with challenges, meditations, information, and warmth. Workshops, speakers and conversations taught me about using new technology, meeting new demands in the classroom, and seeking personal strengths. I grew in many areas, and I hope your regional conference experiences allowed you the same growth opportunities.

     The collage of 2011 included travel, site visits, meetings, quiet talks, passionate discussions, writing, proofing, and lots of thinking. Keeping up with friends via email and cards substituted for short personal visits and telephone conversations. It seems there just enough time in the day or days in the week. But please know that I think of you often, hear your words in my head, and try to represent you, the best of our membership in all I do and say. Thank you for a growing experience in 2011. I look forward to an interesting 2012 with your help.