George
Washington didn’t feel he would make a good president. He’d already been a
great general, was a favorable figurehead for the infant country, but he
personally didn’t feel like he had the qualities for leadership in a political
sense. So he made a wise move and surrounded himself with the brilliant men of
the time, filling his cabinet with advisors the likes of Alexander Hamilton, John
Adams, and Thomas Jefferson.
When I
was approached to be the president of our group, I didn’t really feel like I
had the qualities for leadership either. I said no at least five times, to
little avail. I’m such a pushover, which, hello, isn’t that enough of a clue
that I’m no leader?
Since
I couldn’t get out of it, I borrowed Washington’s philosophy and made sure our
board was made up of people who were not only extremely reliable but knew what
they were doing.
And I
have never been disappointed.
There
hasn’t been one time that I’ve had to nudge or remind people to do their job.
Seriously. They just did it. To be honest, being president this year turned out
to be fairly easy. The board and chairs
did all the heavy lifting for the conference and contests and our wonderful
programs and newsletters.
But
the best part I learned about these people, besides their work ethic, is the
genuine concern they have for our members. Countless times during our board
meetings, one of the board would ask, “Is this the best thing for our members?”
And
each time I’d get a little squeeze in my heart at the genuineness of that
question.
These
women volunteered their time, their skills, their creativity and their knowledge,
sometimes their sanity, and huge chunks of their hearts in the hope that all of
us at NT have a great experience and get out of our membership something
worthwhile as writers who support each other.
This
Thanksgiving, I want the board and all of our volunteers to know how thankful I
am for each of you.
The
board has done a helluva job and I, for one, am extremely grateful and proud to
be in their company. This is me standing up and applauding.
I will
miss you all this month. I hope you gathered long and prospered at all your
various mini retreats. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and can’t wait to see you
all at our Holiday Party!!!
Clover
Autrey
NTRWA
President