IABC Café

It has been a month since I passed the IABC gavel to my dear friend and colleague Barbara Gibson, ABC. This was an event with many emotions … memories that I’ll treasure forever … feelings of accomplishment … anticipation for continued IABC work … and so much gratitude to the countless people who made my year as IABC chair one of the best experiences in my life.

Although I know that I can’t specifically name all of the people who and organizations that contributed to our successes, I must thank a few. Thank you …

… IABC staff members for your commitment to the association to which I owe so — from personal and professional perspectives. And particular thanks to Julie Freeman, ABC, APR for being my partner through all of the challenges and high points. I have so much respect for each and every one of you.

… Jan Thibadeau, ABC, Research Foundation Chair, and the Foundation Trustees for engaging in discussions and taking action to increase the value of the IABC Research Foundation and integrate research into IABC’s decision making and strategic plans.

… Anna Willey, ABC, Accreditation Council Chair, and the Council members for engaging in discussions and taking action to increase the value of ABC.

… 2007-08 Executive Board members who have helped IABC continue to ask difficult questions to make sure we are meeting the current and future needs of our members, the communication profession, and the business community.

… the 2007-08 committee, workgroup, and task force chairs and their committee members for working behind the scenes within our IABC community to drive critical initiatives to success:

Michael Zimet, Advocacy Committee Chair
Colleen Foster, ABC, Audit Committee Chair and Clay Adams, ABC, Audit Committee Vice-Chair
Ann Krzmarzick, ABC and Tammie Addison Wagner, Chapter Support Report Card Co-Chairs
Lori Joseph, ABC and Dan Alldredge, ABC, Marketing Strategic Council Co-Chairs
Jennifer Oliver, Environmental Scanning Strategic Council Chair
Carmelle Boston, ABC, Ethics Committee Chair, and Ivan Muzychka, ABC, Ethics Committee Vice-Chair
Jay Coleman, ABC, EXCEL Committee Chair
Fred Halperin, ABC, Fellow Committee Chair and Tudor Williams, ABC, Fellow Committee Past Chair
Annette Martell, ABC, Global Alliance Liaison
Jeffrey Ory, ABC, Gold Quill Chair, and Paul Matalucci, Gold Quill Vice-Chair
Andrew Riley, Investment Committee Chair
Ilze B. Raath, International Growth Grants Chair
Jill Sackett, ABC and Maureen Healey, ABC, Membership Strategic Council Co-Chairs
Mark Drewell, ABC, Program Advisory Committee Chair

… Chapter and Region leaders for maintaining the critical member touch-points that engage our members on a daily basis and for allowing me to attend and speak at your professional development functions. Throughout my seven years serving on the International Executive Board, these experiences have given me the opportunity and pleasure of seeing our association and profession through the eyes of IABC! Truly a unique life experience.

… The Washington State Department of Information Services, my employer, for supporting my IABC commitment. This was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that couldn’t have happened without their willingness to allow me the time.

… Stephen, my partner, and Winston, our dog, for understanding every time I left him in Seattle and supporting me whenever things got hectic.

Without all of your willingness, support, understanding, and dedication, my 17 years of volunteer IABC service, and the honor to serve as your chair would not have been possible. I look forward to continued growth and success of IABC and am proud to be able to say “I played a role in that success.”

In the first scene of the play Our Town, Mrs. Webb and Mrs. Gibb, are snapping beans and talking things over.  One of them says that she wants to go to Paris one day.  Her friend cannot understand why she would want to leave Grovers Corners.  The answer?  “Because someday I want to go some place where no one speaks English and no one wants to.”

I have always wanted to do that, too, and in a few days I am going to get that opportunity.  Not to go to Paris–though it is one of my favorite cities–but to Xela, Guatemala.  I am going to spend three weeks studying Spanish and living with a family.  Then my husband will join me so we can visit the ruins.

My goal is to improve my Spanish.  To that end, I will not be checking or writing emails.  Nor will I be posting.  I figure if my Spanish is ever going to improve, I need to take some drastic steps, like try to function in Spanish.

I have another goal as well.  I will be living in an unfamiliar place and an unfamilar culture.  What I learn from that experience will be invaluable as well.

When I return, I will have stories to tell. 

Until July 28…

I am referring, of course, to the 2008 International Conference in New York.  With 1700 communicators in attendance, it will be the largest international conference in IABC history.  As all conferences are, it will be packed with new ideas, inspiration, new connections and the opportunity to reconnect.

As Connie Eckhard, ABC, wrote to me today, ”I always come away with my batteries charged.  I’m always pumped about my profession and what we can accomplish for the organizations that employ us.” 

If you are reading this, thinking, “Gee, maybe I still can sign up. The conference won’t start until Sunday,” the answer is that all the events are sold out, and the break-out sessions will be standing room only. 

But you still can get a taste of conference by listening to ConferenceCast Radio, featuring audio interviews with speakers, IABC leaders and conference attendees.  You can listen on-line at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/IABC. 

And then be sure to plan on being in San Francisco for the 2009 conference, 14-17 June. 

For those of you who are planning to be in New York, I look forward to seeing you soon. And for those who will not be there, I hope you will find another way to keep in touch with your IABC colleagues.