President’s Message
One for the History Books The French poet, Victor Hugo, once stated, “What is history? An echo of the past in the future; a reflex from the future on the past.” The NAP Virtual Training Conference 2020 can now be referred to in the past tense, and is a part of NAP history. The annals of time will record the efforts put forth by the staff, committees, partners, and volunteers to make the virtual conference a successful event. Before we turn the page, let us take a brief trip down memory lane to acknowledge, appreciate, and reflect. Some day in the future we may look back upon the event and wonder why such a big deal was made before proceeding to host a virtual event. The board of directors decided to move the training conference from San Antonio, Texas, to an event that had no borders or limitations of time and space. The thorough research of the Organizational Effectiveness Committee and headquarters staff presented options that confirmed the possibility of a virtual conference. The Communications Committee and headquarters staff helped to get the word out. The Professional Development Committee, Leadership Conference coordinators, and Webinar and Meeting Support Committee leaped into action to provide an alternate experience for those members who would be participating in events occurring before the official start of the training conference. The baton was passed to the NTC coordinators and workshop coordinators to usher in the meetings, plenary sessions, and workshops. The handoff was picture perfect. One of the highlights of the training conference was the plenary session that perhaps only a parliamentarian would love: the retirement of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised, 11th edition. Mr. Martyn Redgrave, president of the Robert’s Rules Association, conducted the retirement of the 11th edition and the release of the new edition. Mr. Redgrave is a direct lineal descendant of General Henry M. Robert, the original author of Robert’s Rules. NAP has enjoyed a long relationship with the Robert’s Rules Association, and was given the privilege of being among the first to receive copies of the new edition before it was released to the public. www.parliamentarians.org
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