By Becca Torns-Barker, AMTA-CT President
WOW. I think that sums it up well. In previous years, as a delegate, I was able to arrive on Tuesday and my delegate duties started on Wednesday. As president, I arrived earlier, and my duties started on Tuesday.
Tuesday was a day of meetings. I started with a Presidents’ Council Meeting (CPC) where presidents from all states attend a meeting. We usually get some kind of leadership training, some tools to help manage our chapter business, and ideas to keep us energized. The networking is simply the most valuable part for me. In AMTA-land, the CT chapter is an extra large chapter, meaning we have over 2000 members. That is a minority for AMTA chapters. Most are small or medium. Therefore, the challenges we face in running our chapter and meeting member needs are very different than those of a small or medium chapter. For example, it’s really easy to send everyone a birthday card when you only have 40 members in your chapter, versus the 2400+ in our chapter. Attending the CPC lets me talk with other presidents of extra large chapters so we can brainstorm about how to meet the chapter’s needs.
Tuesday afternoon I attended the open session of the National Board of Directors. There I learned of the announcements that were made at the Opening Session of Convention, learned the state of the AMTA business organization, and other business the Board is discussing. Talk about being a part of something bigger. There is so much in the works and our National Board members are so busy.
Wednesday I attended Chapter Leadership Training with the other delegates and alternates, and that afternoon served as a Delegate in the House of Delegates.
The rest of the week, I was busy with classes, looking in on a very sick chapter member, and networking with exhibitors in the Exhibit Hall. The Exhibit Hall is one of my favorite parts. Seeing all the new products and companies, and especially the companies that donate product to us. Special thanks to IAHE, Soothing Touch, and Performance Health (Bon’ Vital).
As always, I am humbled to represent CT on such a large stage. I do my best to represent you well and fairly. I also do my best to Remember the Member. Thank you for your support and allowing me to attend this event filled with learning opportunities.
Becca