What happened to my “White Christmas?”
The weatherman predicted at least a dusting. I hoped for those really light big flakes falling on Christmas Eve. They are so peaceful to watch. But no!! No snow!! I was very disappointed. But I had a great Christmas and I hope you all did too. But, what about now?? It’s the New Year. I hope we get to start the New Year with freshly fallen SNOW. Then I can get out and get that much needed exercise. I love cross-country skiing, especially around my 4.3 acres. It’s so peaceful & great exercise too. So, now where’s the snow??? Come on already!
Ok, there will be those of you who will be saying, “No, we don’t need snow”. Ok, for those of you who get burdened with the difficulty of shoveling, I’m sorry and I hope the snow is light yet deep enough for skiing.
I have to say, our Holiday party was very well received and I thank everyone who came and joined us. We had such a great time. Glen Everhart did a great job of interacting with the audience and making it a fun, relaxing, festive event. We were laughing until we cried! I really enjoyed seeing so many of the Metro Lakes Members and getting to have some fun! I want to give a special thank you to the Holiday Party Committee, the Crowne Plaza and to Donna Hanson, for the fun game and provided all of the wonderful prizes. Wasn’t that great!?!? Thank you all!!!
Now it’s on to the New Year! What does that mean? I use to like New Year’s Resolutions! But for me they just don’t seem to work. For 2012, I will continue to work hard on helping our chapter make the LEAP to Remarkable. I think we already are a remarkable chapter; however, I also believe there is always room for growth and improvement. Therefore, I’d like to see our growth be in the area of membership involvement. If you haven’t made any meetings yet this year, I encourage you to come to our January meeting. I think the program will be a great one and we’d love to see you. Or if you come to the meetings, but are not involved beyond attending the meetings, I encourage and invite you to get involved. If you’re not sure where to start, feel free to call or email me and let’s talk. Or if you’re one of our members who is already actively involved on committees or the board, I encourage you to reach out and talk to other members who aren’t and let them know how much you are enjoying what you are doing and how it is benefiting you and your career growth and how they too could benefit from joining you. Be sure and read our newest column, What Has IAAP Done For Me?
Our annual Administrative Professionals Day event is coming up in April and is a great opportunity to get involved in a one‐ time project in either a small area or large. There are many areas to let your talent shine or build new ones. It’s a fun festive event, yet very educational. Contact either me or Laura Holmberg to sign up to plan or work the event.
I am going to focus my growth during this year in 2012 on continuing to work toward Member of Excellence (which I’ve already figured out I’ll attain) and move our Chapter to being a Chapter of Excellence, which will help our Division be a Division of Excellence, which I will need your help in attaining, since it requires participation from the membership. If you’ve never understood, seen, or cared about the value of being a Member of Excellence, give it a try. It’s a great accomplishment with International recognition. You are probably already doing what it takes to be a Member of Excellence, so why not get recognition for it? It does feel good!! If you’re confused about the criteria, contact Karin Bartz, CAP‐OM, for assistance.
If you want to take a really big LEAP, you could go for something on the International level. The applications must be received by e-mail no later than 5:00 p.m. CST January 15, 2012. Go to the International website for more details.
Lastly, I’d like to announce the first change for 2012. With bittersweet emotions, I officially announce that Carole Blower is stepping down as one of our Directors. I have appointed Marie Chamberlin, CAP to serve out the remainder of the term. Carole has written a great article in this newsletter with more details. On behalf of the Board, we would like to thank Carole for all her hard work this year as a Director. Carole did a great job and although we are all very excited for her in her new great opportunity, we will miss her smiling face at the board meetings.
Happy New Year!
Gina Overacker, CAP
President 2011-2012