So
long!
By Walter
Hanig, President
This is my last column as president of the San Diego Chapter of STC. I've seen many changes over my two years as president preceded by four years as treasurer. Most have been positive from my perspective.
For examples:
- The chapter is in outstanding financial shape. The issue, if you want to call it that, is deciding how to spend to bring the most benefit to the most members. I and next year's council welcome your ideas.
- We've gone to a buffet dinner for chapter meetings. This has simplified the reservations and check-in process while simultaneously improving the meals.
- We've changed the meeting location to Mission Valley. Though this location has made it impossible for some members to attend, we've had better service and accommodations. Perhaps we'll return to Sorrento Valley if circumstances change.
- More services have been automated. We handle reservations for chapter meetings online and accept PayPal payments. So, check-in is faster, and there's less handling required for cash and checks.
- The newsletter has gone online. We've not only saved a sizable cost item, we've had greater flexibility in the number and placement of articles. Additionally, previous issues are accessible.
- We've experimented with different methods of professional development, from negotiating discounts at local educational firms to subsidizing STC's telephone seminars. These approaches, unfortunately, don't go as far as we'd like. Ideally, we should have more workshops presented by chapter members or industry experts.
- The evolution of chapter leadership has continued with almost none of the most active chapter leaders from six years ago still active. This isn't a bad thing. New people bring new ideas, and you can't have too many of those.
Just as there are changes at the chapter level, there are major changes in the works at the Society level. This transformation has been triggered by the sense that STC is becoming less relevant to past, current, and prospective members and to our employers and sponsors.
The net result has been diminishing membership and financial challenges for the overall organization and many chapters. The transformation is a work in progress, and I plan to share the information I have at the June meeting.
What's next for me? I'll still likely attend chapter meetings to keep up with all of you as well as learn from the presenters. I'd like to participate in the transformation effort, perhaps as a liaison between the chapter and the Society. And I can probably be persuaded to help with restaurant recommendations at the 2005 Region 8 conference.
Thanks to all of you for your work on behalf of the chapter, your friendship, and your counsel these past years.
