Dr. Melvin Worthington, CMP, Honored for Service to CMP Board

As a long-standing member of the CMP Board, Dr. Melvin Worthington, CMP, represented RCMA with passion and gusto for many years. On the occasion of his retirement from the board, CIC CEO Karen Kotowski offered these words of thanks:

"The RCMA has been a member of the CIC for many years, and we are proud to have a multi-faith-based organization dedicated to serving such an important segment of the meetings industry among our members. In my capacity as CEO, I have had the opportunity to get to know many industry professionals through their service to CIC. And over the years, some of them have truly distinguished themselves, offering invaluable service to the Council by dedicating their time and expertise year after year. It is my pleasure to recognize one of those members: Dr. Melvin Worthington.

Many of you in the audience know Melvin Worthington in a number of ways – he’s a devoted family man, a well-respected pastor, an inspirational leader and devoted worker, a highly-regarded meeting professional, an avid golfer, an award-winning farmer and a talented musician. But one characteristic that remains constant throughout his life is his dedication to service. Melvin has spent decades giving back and helping others and has left a admirable legacy along the way, serving nearly five decades in ministry as the executive secretary for the National Association of Free Will Baptists for 23 years and, for more than 20 years, on the Board of Directors of the RCMA, where he also was elected president. Melvin obtained his Certified Meeting Professional designation in 1986, making him one of the first people to hold the certification. Melvin has been an active member of our profession for decades, including as a long-time member of the CMP Board, representing RCMA. Melvin has been a tireless and committed member of the CMP Board, in capacities too numerous to mention including as chair of the Board.

To all of his work on behalf of the CMP program, he brought his quiet wisdom, his humor and his unshakable dedication. His lasting contributions to the CMP program cannot be overstated, and I personally, will miss his advice and counsel, to me personally, as well as to the CMP Board – advice that always held great weight to both. Melvin has a way of cutting through the clutter and telling it like it is. It reminds me of that old EF Hutton ad, when Melvin talks, people listen. Melvin recently retired from the CMP Board of Directors, after many years of service, but if his past is any indication, retirement won’t slow him down.

While we will miss Melvin at our board meetings, we still look forward to seeing him at Conclave and at other industry events.

So, until that time, we want him to know how much we value his years of dedication and service and would like to present him with this award. Not as a parting gift, but rather, as a token of our appreciation and gratitude, and one that conveys we look forward to seeing you again."

The Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) is a
program of the Convention Industry Council

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