President’s Message It Begins as It Ends

It Begins as It Ends

“All endings are also beginnings. We just don’t know it yet.” The words of American author, journalist, and philanthropist Mitch Albom could not be truer. The line that separates the end of this historic time and the dawn of a bright future is not clearly defined. We can see events taking shape and moving toward the goal, in the distance. Will we fully retreat to that which makes us comfortable? Unlikely. There will be significant and long-lasting differences in the way organizations meet and operate.

Presently, units and associations are taking a much-needed summer break in their meeting schedules while preparing to attend the 43rd National Biennial Convention. The circle is nearly complete with both the annual membership meeting having been held and the biennial convention to be held via electronic platforms. Being flexible and able to pivot quickly allowed us to make changes, which yielded substantial and meaningful parliamentary experiences that will prove to be useful in the future.

Looking ahead, the pre-convention leadership conference, convention business meetings and workshops, and post-convention professional courses await us. There will be differences in the way our pre-convention and post-convention events and activities will be conducted. Information to guide us through the logistics of conducting an electronic biennial convention will arrive in your inbox. Please pay special attention to the requirements and deadlines. Sharing the accomplishments and progress with members at convention time continues to be a high point of each administration. Sharing our electronic convention experiences as we sit face-to-face in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in 2022 will be a dream come true!

Albeit premature to say goodbye, it is not too soon to thank the 2019–2021 Board of Directors, Standing and Special Committees, NAP Headquarters staff, District Directors, and the Twins, Tamara Harris, and Dave Whitaker, for their support and hard work during this pandemic and administration.

Thank you, members, for your continued support of NAP. You have enriched your parliamentary experiences and knowledge, thereby supplanting mediocrity. I wish the members of the incoming administration much success as they begin to take NAP to the next level. I am anticipating quoting the words of the great William Shakespeare: “The wheel is come full circle.”

Be safe!

Darlene T. Allen, PRP 2019-2021 NAP President