Sierra
Nevada Chapter
President's
Message
Gold & Silver Gazette
April 2000, Volume 25,
Number 5
Cary O’Keeffe
As my term as your Chapter President winds down, I want to thank all of you in the Sierra Nevada Chapter for your support and encouragement. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed working for this organization, and I’ll especially miss writing these missives to you.Being President of the Chapter has given me most of all a sense of how much work our Executive and Advisory Boards do behind the scenes. Where would we have been this year if Ava Goldman hadn’t put her energy behind not one, but two critical positions—President Elect and California Director of Education? Ava, I think I can speak for the Chapter when I say our hat’s off to you! All of your programs have been excellent, informative and well-attended.
Past-President Catherine Hanson-Tracy has quietly and efficiently worked behind the scenes, using her expertise to help us all do our jobs more effectively. I want to personally thank Catherine for keeping me in line and focused on the task at hand!
We owe a big debt of gratitude to our Gazette editor, Judy Welsh. Judy has labored for two years to present an excellent newsletter that has received recognition from other chapter presidents, and from readers across the country. Take some time to rest, Judy, but don’t forget about the Sierra Nevada Chapter—your editorial skills are always welcome.
See that woman over there with the steno pad and the halo? That’s Joyce Hall, who has been our dedicated and dependable Secretary for the past seven years—this must be an SNC record! Joyce has been one of the backbones of the Executive Board, and we all appreciate her good humor and patience.
Speaking of backbones, Mary Wood, our current Treasurer, comes to mind. Over the past two years, in the face of writing reimbursement checks, paying the bills and balancing the budget, she’s maintained a cheerful and helpful attitude. This is no mean feat, as past Treasurers can attest to.
Thanks to Buzz Haughton, who as Publicity Chair has created clever and colorful event announcements. He also pulled double-duty by serving as the Chapter’s Government Relations Chair. We’re happy to have you aboard, Buzz.
To Nevada Education Director, Judy Chalmers—thank you for being the Rock of Gibralter for everyone on your side of the Sierras. I know it must get a little lonely being so far from the mother ship, but we enjoy working with you and you’re always with us in spirit.
Without Jerry McGovern, none of us would be as well-informed about current job opportunities in California and Nevada. Thank you, Jerry! And thanks to all of you who so conscientiously sent Jerry job listings over the past year.
Liz Gibson, thanks for serving as Membership Chair and picking up Database Manager to boot!
Thanks too, to Carolyn Kopper and Ken Firestein, who have soldiered on in their respective roles as Consultation Chair and Listserv Coordinator.
And who could forget Gabe McAuliffe’s magic tour bus? Thanks to him, we’ve been able to see behind the scenes at the Sacramento Bee, the CalTrans Library, and Sacramento City College’s Learning Resources Center. His latest event was a tour of the Shriners Hospital and Library—I don’t think any of us who attended walked away unaffected by the staffs’ and volunteers’ dedication to the children who are cared for by that institution. Thanks for introducing Librarian Deanna Simonis to our organization, Gabe—we hope to see her name on our membership roll very soon.
Bill Budge, as WebMaster, thank you for your work with SLA Headquarters to get our newsletter up on their server. I know you must be glad to get that task crossed off your list!
And finally, to Ira Bray, Chizuko Kawamoto and Lenay Milford—thank you for stepping forward to assist the Board in its time of need. You are our Chapter troopers, and we appreciate your can-do attitudes.
So, dear members, the next time you read your Gazette, attend a dinner meeting or pick up your membership directory to call a colleague, take a moment to consider the effort that went into helping you in your professional life. The Sierra Nevada Chapter runs smoothly because the folks on the Executive and Advisory Boards take the time to make it run smoothly. We need your participation too! Join your colleagues in working on the SNC Executive or Advisory Board. Your talents and commitment are always welcome!
To end this thank you note, I want to wish each of you success and happiness in all of your endeavors. This year has been a fun ride—let me say it one last time—thank you one and all!