MPIKC Times

What a year and a half as your President! Up, down, all around, good days, not so good days, through it all it has been my pleasure and honor to serve the Kansas City Chapter of MPI in the position of President. This will be my last message from this Office and I'm trying to figure out where to start.

First, I’ve had the distinct pleasure of working with two Boards, and they have both been hard working and dedicated. The 2015-16 Board has put in hours and hours working to bring the best events to the membership. And in my opinion they have completed this task with success. The education events were new and beneficial, and the networking and social events were full of fun and uniqueness. They are passing an 18 month calendar of semi-planned events to the 2016-17 Board, a good start that you can be assured will be finalized by the new leadership of KCMPI. Your membership value in this Chapter is growing and will make you proud to be part of the largest organization in the industry.

Secondly, have we had a bunch of great volunteers or what? These people work and get very little recognition, but are so very valuable to each event that happens. From the group that teach the CMP class, to those looking and securing perfect venues, to the people securing sponsors which provide the dollars so much needed to pull off the events you enjoy, and so many others. All put in hours, sometime very late hours, to plan and make every event special. We all need to give them a big hand for jobs well done. As always, we are looking for more volunteers for the coming year, so if you have even a little time to share for our good cause let a Board member know and we will fit you somewhere you will enjoy.

Then there is Aesha Beattle, CMP, our Chapter Administrator. She has been a blessing to get to know and to work closely with. She and I kind of broke in together, and she has way out-worked me. This Chapter is very fortunate to have someone so experienced in our industry and so dedicated to roll her sleeves up and help where needed. And there have been many needed areas for her to help. Say a big thank you to her when you see her at the registration table.

Now, it is time to say goodbye. I have been inspired by so many in the Chapter, and I truly appreciate you all. I don’t read enough to quote some special passage or author, but know that I tried my best to provide leadership and guidance, and good or bad I gave it my all. I now move into the Immediate Past President roll, and hand the gavel over to the next President, Tony Ballard. This Chapter is in good hands. Thank you for allowing me to serve. Good bye.