[SIERA] Re:A BELATED THANK YOU

[Dorothy Uebele]

To: All SIERA Members

Roger Arthur is correct in that prior to this year all outgoing presidents 
were thanked and given a plaque in recognition for their service to the 
club.  I understand his distress and that of others. I will accept 
responsibility for that not happening at the dinner this year.

A bit of back ground is in order.  While waiting for people to arrive for 
the November meeting, Dick Young came up to me and told me that he did not 
wish to receive a certificate or plaque at the end of his term.  I could 
relate to his reasons, so I gave him my word that I would abide by his 
wishes and that I would inform the incoming president of his request.  On 
January 11, 2006, I sent Dick an email and asked if he had any tickets left 
over from the 2005 dinner and if he would help by selling tickets.  Here is 
his reply:

At 07:13 AM 1/11/2006, you wrote:
>Good morning, Dorothy
>
>I have an unopened roll of Gray, plus a 1/2 roll of the same color (plenty 
>for the evening).
>Have a 3/4 roll of red (more than plenty for the evening).
>2 partial rolls of mustard color (again plenty).
>A smaller roll (maybe 20%) of orange (for lack of a better color 
>description) - probably more than plenty if you plan to sell different 
>tickets for the radio.
>
>If I can help you by selling tickets, I will.
>
>Maren and I are pleased to be there too........but I can't come unless you 
>assure me you recalled my comments about 'no plaque' (or anything else) 
>and, in fact, there will not be?
>
>Dick

I assured Dick I remembered his request and that I would abide by it.

Another thing was different about the 2006 dinner.  In the past the 
outgoing president had always presided at the dinner, and I had assumed 
that would be the case this year.  I was taken by surprise at the dinner 
when Dick informed me that he did not want to participate.  John also was 
caught off guard but rallied to lead the introductions and rest of the program.

Every president of SIERA has faced different issues and different 
challenges.  Each has brought his own style of leading.  Every president 
has had people disagree with some of his decisions. In my opinion each 
president has been sincere in believing that he was acting in the best 
interests of the club.  I have told Dick that I think he brought a new 
energy and enthusiasm to SIERA.  He arranged for a variety of programs. He 
worked hard to publicize the club's classes, and he presented the club with 
challenges.

I'm glad to hear that there are those who want to thank Dick.   I hope you 
will do so personally and via the reflector if that is your wish.  I also 
hope that you will look at the overall picture and give the new president 
and the new board the opportunity to go forward and do what they think is 
in the best interests of the club.

Dorothy Uebele