Hello Everyone,
As we drift into Fall in New England, cooler temps and beautiful colors remind me of “back to school” and “back to work.” We have work to do for the New England Chapter, and we need you.
As I pass my first year as the Chapter President (my term is up, but I will continue until a successor is found), I would like to report on how we are doing. With me taking on the new role, there were a few months of “getting my bearings,” understanding where we are, where we want to be, and how to get there.
We are maintaining the basic requirements of the Chapter. We need your help to continue to grow, sustain and engage our membership. There are opportunities here for you to grow, sustain and engage our membership and tech comm professionals locally. Maybe student outreach is your interest – we would enjoy growing our Student Chapter wing of the association. We are still open for a new Programs Manager – what a great way to meet working professionals in the field, learn what they are up to and their impact on the profession.
As I look to thriving chapters across the country, I wonder, “What can we do better?” “Where are we missing the mark?” “Should we continue to hold in-person events?” “What does our membership want from their chapter?” I reach out to the chapter leaders to gain insight, and figure out what will work for us. It’s a work-in-progress. Your ideas are welcomed!
It is no secret that some chapters are thriving, and some are not. I am also reminded of what the New England Chapter used to be – events at hotels, dinner, speakers, in-person learning workshops, and networking with colleagues. I don’t know about you, but I miss those days.
The lack of participation may just be malaise from the pandemic, the invention of online meetings, or the miles it takes to get to an event. Without help from members, volunteers and the organization as a whole, our chapter may be threatened with extinction. It could happen. New England is one of the founding chapters of the Society, so to see it die out would be a significant loss.
We need members to fill council positions (Treasurer is one) and I encourage you to reach out to me or a council member to see what you can do for the chapter, which is really keeping one of the best tech comm resources locally available. It’s your chapter!
Please also keep an eye out for a survey – this will help us deliver what you are looking for, and that helps us direct our energies to what is expected and enjoyed.
I look forward to hearing from you, your ideas and suggestions to keep moving forward. Without you, there is no us!
All my best,
Carolyn Palo
New England Chapter President
