STC Conference Award for Council Members

In the past, the council set aside money that the chapter president could put towards the costs associated with attending Leadership Day at STC’s annual conference. The intent was to improve the president’s leadership of the chapter and find new ideas to try out at home. However, the budgeted amount only covered a little more than the registration fee (@ $500US).This was impractical because if the president could not afford to pay the air fare and hotel costs (which are usually much more than the registration fee), she could not attend. As a result, the budgeted amount was rarely used.

This year, the council changed the allocated amount to a maximum of $2500. Furthermore, they decided that other members of the council are in leadership positions, and the opportunity is now open to anyone who meets all the following criteria:

• Any volunteer who is a chapter member, and


• Has volunteered for at least one year in the past, and


• Is currently volunteering.

In addition, each candidate also had to agree to:

• Stay at the conference hotel.


• Attend Leadership Day.


• Give a seminar about what they learned.


• Write an article for chapter publication about any aspect of the conference.

The benefits of sending a council member to the conference are:

• The chapter will have a volunteer who is better equipped to serve the membership.


• The whole council will benefit from the collected knowledge.


• The networking opportunities could turn up other people who are useful to the chapter (such as potential speakers).


• The attendee will raise the profile of our chapter on the international stage--be a kind of ambassador.


• Some of the money will be going to the Society.


• We could attract more volunteers.

Eligible candidates were identified and had the option of withdrawing from the contest. From those candidates who wanted to participate, the winner was selected by a random draw. Winners will not be eligible for the subsequent draws.

As a result of the council’s decision, the first winner of the STC Conference Award is Debbie Kerr, our immediate past president. Congratulations, Debbie!

Why not volunteer so that you can be considered for a future draw?