Our President/National Director

I thought we were busy last year, but we were even busier this year. We had the usual dozen Board of Directors’ Meetings, our four General Membership Meetings, and I tried to attend all 12 of the Veterans Community Educational Partnership Meetings, but missed a couple. There were also Sanford Chamber of Commerce Meetings every month, a week of National Convention and four days of Mid Winter Board Meetings. A few visits to the Tampa VA Hospital and several to the Orlando VA Medical Center, some personal and some professional. Next, throw in our Bass Tournament (I caught a big fish), four Proclamations, a baseball game and a chapter meeting with the Military-Nine and our First Annual Car Show. The people you meet at all these meetings are dedicated and sincere.

We had a good relationship with our Liaison Vice President from National, a wonderful lady, Laura Ellington. She must be good, because she is the only remaining VP from last year. National voted to have only three Vice Presidents. Our own Ken Weas was elected to a VP position and Eduardo Oyola-Rivera, from our sister chapter in Tampa, has been appointed to fill the remaining vacancy. Bill Lawson became the National President, Al Kovach, Jr. became Senior Vice President, and Rick Glotfelty and John Jackson decided to step down.

I was chosen to fill Ken’s spot as National Director. Imagine my surprise when I discovered National has a Seminar planned for me. I’m not looking forward to a trip to National Headquarters in Washington, DC in January. I admit it, I’m a baby when it comes to the cold. Mary Ann and I went to Dallas for a two day Seminar for Presidents and Executive Directors, it was a busy, fruitful time. But, cold,cold,cold!
Here on the home front at the Orlando Medical Center, we have a relatively new person, Marcia Johnson, as our PA. This nice lady is coming up to speed on the proper care of an SCI/D veteran. We have a new National Service Officer, David Ray, who will eventually replace Belton Smith who is being moved to Lake City. Last, but not least, the delightful Elinor Splitter is our new Social Worker. She is working hard to take the place of Ginny Hartwich, who retired this past year.

We had a couple of award dinners, business luncheons and in the interim I strive to keep the chapter website current with our latest newsletters. After a while I start to wonder if I’m ever home, but I must enjoy it, because I keep coming back.

It looks to be a good year, but busier for all of us. The days, weeks and months seem to fly by. My wearing two hats should be interesting, but we have people in the office who are wearing three.
I hope you all had a good Christmas and the up coming year is one of the best for everyone.