This will be my last letter as your chapter president. It has been an interesting and challenging four years. Even before the pandemic broke, the board and I had to deal with losing our vice-president and taking care of matters related to the Treasury. Fortunately, we took care of both issues.
I would like to express my deep gratitude for many of the board and committee chairs who, like myself, stayed on beyond the normal two-year period. Hopefully, there will be more new members willing to take their places when the time comes.
Two lessons I learned this year: (1) be conversant with the latest technology and (2) understand the importance of personal bonding. Many of us had to learn to use Zoom as a platform to conduct and attend board and general meetings; this type of technology will continue to be part of our communication program for the indefinite future. Our organization is held together, in large part, through the publication of the monthly Dispatch and the telephone committee’s calls to members each week.
I have found through conversations with other chapter leaders that it is not common for AARP chapters to issue a monthly multi-page newsletter. So special thanks to Harry Kiesler and Jeanne Ulrich for keeping the Dispatch going and to Thelma Bridges for organizing the weekly calls to members. These calls have been gratefully received.
I would also extend thanks to our vice-president, Paul Levine, for providing monthly speakers during these challenging times.
Thank you for your support and encouragement during the last four years. Please continue to provide it for Margaret.
Happy Holidays!