President’s Message for December

Christmas greetings!

Yes, I know it’s not politically correct, but I just can’t abide “Season’s greetings” and “Happy holidays”—way too sterile. Besides, whether one is Christian or not, the Federal holiday that is getting all the air time is, after all, Christmas. So at the very least, I wish everyone a very pleasant day off from work. Note that SGM is taking Christmas off: There is no meeting on Monday, December 25.

If this past Monday’s board meeting is any indication, you are in for a very good year. Your new board is filled with great ideas, long-needed talents, and lots of energy. So much so that, for the first time, I find my already streamlined board meetings are still not brief enough for some, as they indicate that we should keep the pace moving. So be it. Let the race begin!

So for those of you who are not on the board, that means you can sit back and watch us do all the work, right? No way! By all means, everyone is encouraged to participate in the governance and direction of our cherished organization. If you have an idea for a program, don’t hesitate to let Joe or me know what it is. Personally, I’d like to see more “Member Spotlights” as we have had in years past, so if you have a hobby or a business or an interest that you think others might find intriguing, let us know. Speaking to a group of your dear friends is a great way to get over your fear of public speaking, and conquering the fear of public speaking can actually skyrocket your professional career.

And don’t forget the Fun List. Use it to coordinate an off-Monday outing, such as a trip to Foxwoods, or a night out in Ogunquit, or an evening of bowling, or a trip to the movies, or . . . well, you get the picture. Just send an e-mail to and it will be in all subscribers’ mailboxes in a matter of minutes. Remember, messages need to be under 10 kilobytes in size (accommodating most text-only messages but not graphics-filled messages, so ditch the pics). Also, only dues-paid members who are subscribers to the list can post to the list. If you’re a member in good standing but are not a subscriber, then let Jeremy or me know, and we’ll see that you are re-added to the list.

That’s all I have for this month—short and sweet. So, until next month, be out, be proud, and be blessed!

Carl