Summer is rapidly upon us with only two more months in this IAAP fiscal year. May is a very busy and extremely important month. It’s the time of year we shed our winter coats and clothing and dig out the summer shorts. We start tending our yards and gardens getting them ready for the full growing season of summer. I’m not much of a gardener, but have learned a little more about it each year, trying to add to my very small gardens. I love the beauty and tranquility of a garden. But to have a nice yard and garden, it takes work. And for me, it takes continuing education as I learn more about what plants need sun, shade, or both and how to take care of them.
The same is true of our chapter. To have a great leadership team and great meetings to attend, it takes work. In May, we start preparing for the new fiscal year starting with our elections and installation of officers. I always enjoy this meeting. It will be such an honor for me to be leading the meeting and getting to actually install our new officers. I remember the excitement and yes nervousness I felt standing up in front of everyone each time I became Treasurer, then President Elect and then President. Each time it was so exhilarating. I felt honored and proud of my accomplishments, yet a little nervous about the role I was about to undertake. What had I gotten myself into??? Did I really know what I was doing? How would I do compared to my predecessors? What if I can’t do it? As I look back now, I realize, I was worrying needlessly. I just had to do my job the best I could and learn from any mistakes I made along the way. Yes, there were mistakes, but I learned so much from each one. And the successes are so exciting. They boosted my self-esteem and kept me enthused about doing more and being more. I believe life is a never ending journey. To really be happy, I need to keep moving in a forward and upward direction. If I step outside my comfort zone and make a mistake, I just brush myself off and move on. IAAP is a place where I have had so much support and encouragement. When I am worried or nervous, there is always someone there to help me overcome those negative feelings. When I’m not sure I know exactly what to do, I have a large support team who will help me figure it out. I am never alone.
Then there are the feelings I am beginning to get as I realize my rein as President is almost over. This is the top position in our chapter. But wait, there’s one final role, Immediate Past President. This is an exciting role because I get to stay connected with the board and offer support and help wherever I am needed. I will be the one you’ll all run to when I am looking for nominations for the next year’s slate of officers. I can hardly wait. Ok. Slow down, the year isn’t over yet.
Lastly, I highly encourage you to come show your support and join in the excitement of the election and installation of officers at our May meeting. We have to have a quorum to even be able to hold the elections. We’re also going to have a great program that is also good for recertification points. The program is Thinking differently times of change (Overcome obstacles and roadblocks / ability to change as a result of one's experience) with Dia Satori. Who doesn’t have obstacles and roadblocks in our lives??
I’m really looking forward to the May meeting! See you then!
Gina Overacker, CAP
President 2011-2012