August/September 2003

Volume 44, Number 1

Not so lazy days of summer

adapted by Rahel Bailie, Region 7 Director-Sponsor


from an article by Linda Ostreich, Region 5 Director-Sponsor

Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer
Those days of soda and pretzels and beer
Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer
Dust off the sun and moon and sing a song of cheer*

These lyrics from an old Nat King Cole song have been in my head for several days and I couldn't understand why! I finally realized they were the perfect theme for a summertime article for my Director-Sponsor column.

Summer Plans

So, here it is--summer. Most chapters slow down with regular programs during July and August, but if you look closely, the volunteer forces of the chapters haven't slowed down a bit! During the summer, chapters have to break in a new administrative council and those new folks on the council have to learn their jobs, prepare a budget for a job they don't yet understand, and help plan their chapter's 2003/2004 year.

Lazy days? Probably not…our administrative councils (and other STC leaders and members) will be planning programs and contacting speakers; setting up their chapter's publications, art, and online competitions; updating rosters; tweaking bylaws; and preparing their presentations for the October regional conference. Then we all need to think about getting those proposals out on August 1st for the 51st Annual Conference, scheduled for Baltimore next May!

It seems that summer days are more crazy than lazy--crazy with planning all those things that will happen in the fall. The Alberta chapter (along with some others who have offered help) is in the middle of the flurry that precedes a regional conference. Other chapters are planning seminars and career days, summertime leadership workshops and parties. No, it really doesn't look like anyone is resting. When that summer haziness shows up, it's actually the dust from our thundering hooves!

Upcoming Events

Upcoming board events include preparation for the September board meeting in Portland, Oregon. In September, I'll be spending a couple of days visiting our Alaska chapter members, followed by the Region 7 conference. And in case that doesn't keep me busy enough, I'm planning visits to the Southern Colorado, Spokane, and perhaps the Boise chapter while I'm "in the neighborhood"!

Through it all, I'll be preparing my presentations for the Region 7 conference and next year's annual conference, just as many of you will. Have you seen the Alberta program? The committee received excellent proposals and will have several tracks of solid sessions. You go, Alberta! By the way, a bit of Alberta chapter trivia: the Alberta chapter actually covers Alberta, the Northwest Territories, and Nunavit, with a few members from Saskatchewan thrown in for good measure. I believe that makes them the largest STC chapter in the world--unofficially, anyhow.

Restful or Stressful?

So, how is your summer progressing? Restful or stressful? Planning in this relatively quiet time ensures that fall events will be well-thought-out, well-attended, and successful! Your summer garden of activities will bloom with bright fall color and offer great results because you took advantage of these lazy, hazy, crazy days. STC may look like it's gotten quiet for summer, but if you check closer, you'll see that STC folks might be busier than ever. Those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer are a bit light on the lazy.

Hope to see each of you at the Region 7 conference!

Best regards,
Rahel Bailie

*Artist: Nat King Cole ,words by Charles Tobias and Music by Hans Cars