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 As I prepared to write my March article, I thought “What is going on in March I could write about?” The first thing that came to mind was my birthday and I started to reminisce and reflect upon the past. Isn’t that what everyone does on their birthday? When I turned sixteen, the present I received from my parents was a 1971 Ford Pinto. At the time, I could NOT understand why Dad gave me a four-speed vehicle that I didn’t know how to drive. Now that I am older and wiser, I know exactly what his intent was at the time. And still today, I can hop in any standard transmission car and drive it. That is just something that you never forget how to do. Back in my day, the legal age was eighteen-we didn’t have to wait until the ripe old age of twenty-one to be considered adults.
When I turned twenty, I found the love of my life, married him, and had my first child at twenty seven-definitely good times. At thirty, all I could think about was another child before my biological clock ran out! Now women are having children at forty and later! Thinking back, I guess the birthday day that made me ponder the longest and hardest was forty. I remember thinking, “My life is half over and what have I accomplished? “What have I done for society, for my family?” My husband brought me back to reality quickly by telling me he thought I was a wonderful wife and mother, “What more could I ask for?” It actually did make me feel better and I was content for several more years.
On my fiftieth birthday, the girls in my office sent me to meet with a builder who was interested in doing business with our company. I drove to the office where we were to meet, waited forty-five minutes, and guess what? He never showed! His secretary informed me that he had gotten tied up and would have to reschedule for another day. All of this turned out to be a hoax-they had sent me on a wild goose chase! While I was away, chamber members, business associates and friends had gathered at my office. In all of my fifty years, I had never had a surprise birthday party. I must say it was one of best days of my life!
Now, I’m moving on up to 60, can’t wait to see what is in store for me. One thing I do know is that having my health, family, and friends is the best birthday present there is. Recently, I threw my mom and eightieth surprise party – initially planning for maybe thirty-five or forty guests. But after talking with a few of her friends, the guest list quickly grew to hundred people. I wondered how someone could live that long and still have that many friends ALIVE??? Well, it’s true, they all came in their sweet glory and I must say we had a ball. Saying this, live life to the fullest, enjoy everyday God gives us. And remember, don’t dread birthdays…..having one is better than the alternative!
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Hello again! I am one month into my new role as your Chairman of the Board and loving every minute of it. Mark asked that I use this month’s newsletter to share a few of my goals for 2010.
Consistent with the common goal of my predecessors, I would like to increase membership. My goal is 525 members. If any of you have someone that is interested in joining the chamber, we now have Lou Ann Twitty who is helping us with recruitment. All you have to do is give her the prospective member’s name and number and she will do the rest!
By year’s end, I would like to see 2,500 friends/followers on Facebook/Twitter. Again, this is something that you can help us with. Please invite your friends to join us. This is a great tool people can use to keep up with the happenings going on in Mt. Juliet.
I would like to upgrade our Chamber office with more technology. For example, a flat screen monitor in the lobby to continuously scroll updates regarding new members, ribbon cutting ceremonies, business after hours information and so forth. A flat screen in the conference room for use during meetings and seminars would also be a great addition.
These are only a few of my goals, but they are ones that I feel are easily attainable. As always, reaching goals will require both our individual and combined efforts. I’m counting on your many talents, individual areas of expertise and personal contacts. I plan on 2010 being a great year for us and will do all I can to facilitate that. Please know that I am here for you and that my door is always open should you have ideas or suggestions you would like to send my way.
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Wow, can you believe how fast 2009 went by? With gratitude for the blessings of the old year, we welcome the new one with its hopes and opportunities. Rather than making New Year’s resolutions, how about our just concentrating on new beginnings? This is most appropriate for me as I begin 2010 as your Board Chair.
I have never done this before and its more daunting because of the big shoes I have to fill. Who could possibly measure up to the great job Jason did, and all of it done with that incredible wit of his? I ask that you view me as a “work in progress.” I will do my best.
While there are many things I look forward to learning in my new role, there are a few things I already know. I have the privilege of living and working in the best city with the best people in Tennessee. I will be working with and supported with the finest and most visionary board members anywhere. Additionally, all of us are made better on a daily basis by the commitment and dedication shown by Mark and Anita. They are two of the hardest working people I know. Everything they do is done in the best interest of our chamber.
I look forward with much anticipation to our achieving meaningful goals in 2010 with lasting good for our community. If there is anything I can do for you, my door is always open. Please accept my wish for your personal health and happiness and join me in wishing that 2010 will be a prosperous year for our chamber and the businesses we serve.
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While those words (or something similar) are what we hear at the start of the Kentucky Derby and other horse races, it also describes the first couple of months here at the Chamber as well. If the Chamber Year was to be compared to a large oval racetrack then you would say we are about to enter turn one with three more turns (quarters) to go. And if I were the race announcer and giving the updates at each length of the track I would be very excited about our track position! I would be raising my voice and letting folks know that we are ahead of the pack and looking strong. I might even be so excited that I would say we have opened up a gap already as we head into turn one. Albeit that 2010 still has a long way to go and the race will have its bumps along the way, and we may have unexpected competition along the way; but so far so good! A lot of preparation, training, hard work, and experience goes into winning these annual races, and it is great to know that your Chamber is up to the challenge.