One week ago yesterday (at 1 am!), I got back from the STC Conference in Las Vegas. I'm not really a big fan of Vegas, but considering I never went outside while I was there, I guess it didn't much matter! I stayed at Paris, which was a nice hotel, but those cobblestones! I wore my Crocs most of the time...the one day I wore dress shoes, I really regretted it :-)

This was my first conference as a board member, and the hardest part for me was the dress code ;-) I'm so much more comfortable in jeans or even dress pants and Polo shirts, and I'm just not used to dressing up any more. (I'm sitting here now in a T-shirt and sleep pants...bliss :-) )

The board started the conference with a workshop, which was great. Rob Moran, Interim Executive Director, ran the workshop. He is amazing and just what STC needed during this transition. This workshop gave the new board a chance to learn a bit more about each other and what our personal goals are for the upcoming year. We then had an all-day board meeting the next day, and we had a chance to meet our new Executive Director, Susan Burton. This is a great time to belong to STC...the changes made over the next few years will make this a much better, much stronger organization.

On Leadership Day, incoming President Paula Berger showed the Interim Strategic Plan and new organization chart. Check them out when you get a chance...these pieces describe The New World of STC.

The organization has new strategic objectives, based on a core block of three:

• Communicating effectively
• Supporting STC with leading-edge technology
• Cultivating a risk-taking global culture

These core objectives support:

• Telling our powerful story
• Implementing a strategic business model
• Growing relationships and choosing partners
• Making money
• Growing and supporting our leaders
• Improving practice through research and education

Everything the STC does going forward must support these core objectives. To get the work done, the org chart has been completely redone. Eight committees (Governance, Marketing, Membership, Communities, Communication, Professional Development, Education, and Finance) have been created, and each committee has been assigned one director and one staff person. Sub-committees will focus on specific areas within each committee.

So what can you do? Volunteer! Look at the org chart, and see if there's a sub-committee that interests you. Use your skills to help us meet the goals of the Interim Strategic Plan. Contact the appropriate director and help us strengthen The New World of STC.

I look forward to working with you :-)