Happy Holidays!
The lights are lit, the tree is trimmed and wrapped gifts are already starting to pile up under the tree...unless you live at my house, that is! I can count on one hand the number of years that our shopping started this late in the year. But I've enlisted help (most certainly not my husband, in case you're wondering) and will have that rectified by the end of the week.
It's the season for giving and mine started out with gifting an IAAP membership, followed by a bag full of toys for the office Toys for Tots box. There's really something to be said for giving. I think Winston Churchill put it most succinctly when he said, "We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give." May you have the opportunity to give this holiday season such that it has a lasting impact on the recipient.
Speaking of individuals who create a life by what they give . . . take note of Past International President Bertha Stronach (1969-70), who made the North Jersey news in her home town of Wyckoff, NJ. At 84 years young, she was selected New Jersey Health Care Association Resident of the Year! She definitely knows the power of attitude! Read about why she was nominated for this award at NorthJersey.com. I had the pleasure of talking to Bertha shortly after she returned from Atlantic City and even as I'm writing this I have a huge smile on my face remembering that call. Her attitude is contagious and she shares it with everyone!
Earlier this month, while in Kansas City to attend the Retirement Trust Foundation Board of Trustees meeting, I had the privilege of presenting a large bag of goodies to headquarters staff from the IAAP Board of Directors. Being in Kansas City afforded me the opportunity to thank them personally for everything they do to ensure the future of IAAP. We are fortunate to such a great group of individuals working at headquarters. They are talented, energetic, hardworking, team players who are passionate about IAAP!
How many of you have become fans of IAAP on Facebook? Take a minute to check it out at www.facebook.com/iaaphq. And have you joined IAAP on LinkedIn? Several divisions also have a fan page. Social media is defining how we stay in contact with friends, family, business associates, and everyone else for that matter. Case in point: one of my nieces will be in town for Christmas and we're planning a baby shower for her. Mom, my sisters and I get a phone call to inform us of the details. All the nieces find out about it on Facebook!
Upcoming dates to mark on your calendar are:
· January 15, 2010 - deadline for International Office or Retirement Trust Foundation Trustee nominations
· February 1, 2010 - deadline for International Committee on Nominations, the International Bylaws and Standing Rules Committee or the Retirement Trust Foundation Committee applications
· February 1, 2010 - deadline for proposed amendments to the International Bylaws & Standing Rules
· February 1, 2010 - deadline for the Avery Great Results Chapter and Division Achievement Award
· March 8-10, 2010 - Spring Education Conference in Reno, NV.
Best wishes to everyone for a joyous holiday season. May it be filled with warmth and laughter, cherished family moments and memories to last a lifetime.
Susan