President’s Message for November

Thanksgiving greetings!

This is my last Message as your president, but I venture to say that it is far from the last time you’ll hear from me. Unfortunately, I now have two conflicts on Monday evenings, so I’ll be able to be with you only from time to time. I am very thankful for my association with SGM. It’s a fine organization and a great group of high-quality men that I am honored to call my friends.

Thanksgiving is an appropriate theme for this Message. My two years as your president have been wonderful. I’ve enjoyed working with this exceptional board of directors—a delightfully diverse group of men filled with great ideas and always quick to volunteer. Two men stand out, though; I mentioned them in my address at the annual meeting earlier this month, but it bears repeating in this forum to reach even more people.

The first is Jay Semprebon. When Jeremy Winnick stepped down as our secretary some years back, he left extremely large shoes to fill. Indeed, for a while there were several men who took over his various duties, and to this day he himself is still quite involved as webslave, publisher, and consultant. But Jay has done an amazing job since he stepped up to the plate a year ago, and I am delighted that he decided to run for another term. Not unlike Jeremy, Jay has an annoying habit of making ever more work for himself, and he has refined the duties of secretary and even taken over as database administrator, a duty I formerly held. Great job, Jay!

The other man I’d like to single out is Joe Murphy. His history with SGM goes way back, including past terms as president. He has done an exceptional job as vice-president, filling in for me with my increasing absences in recent months. And yet, at a time in his life when he certainly deserves to stand back and let others take over, he decided to run for—and was elected to—the presidency. Joe, your dedication to SGM is exemplary. I know that I am leaving the governance of this organization in very capable hands.

Finally, no membership organization is worth anything without its members, and it has been the membership at large that has always stepped forward to volunteer and help out with various duties and activities throughout the year. Everyone has been great at making newcomers feel welcome. I remember when I took office two years ago, one of my promises was to make SGM a more welcoming place. Thanks to all of you for helping to make this a reality.

So where am I going from here? For a number of years I playfully referred to myself as “semi-retired.” Somewhat to my surprise I have decided that I still have a lot more creativity left in me, along with a knack for demystifying technology®. My “Web Strategies for Non-Techies” seminar is coming along. If you have any Web-related questions you’d like answered, go to askcarleric.com and let me know what they are. And if you’d like to keep informed, just subscribe to the free newsletter at either cejco.com or cejco.com/blog.

Until we meet again, be out, be proud, and give thanks!

Carl