September, 2010

If I considered August to be the “pause” button on the progression of months, then it feels like September is “fast forward.” The placid pace of late summer has given way to the rush to keep up with autumn's multitude of events and activities. School has resumed, TV reruns are ending, new theater and other performing arts series are launched, the fall sports seasons are commencing and the appointment calendars that were vacant are suddenly filled. With lower temperatures and less humidity, the weather is more invigorating. Fall yard and house chores loom. There is even a tree or two in my neighborhood whose leaves are turning color.

Labor Day marks the psychological end of summer and the autumnal equinox indicates the astronomical transition into fall. Added to all of this, of course, is the fact that the Clipped Wings® Convention in Nashville is only days away.

A noteworthy event in September is Patriot Day marking the anniversary of 9/11, which left a scar on the nation and on the airline industry as well. The heroes of that day will never be forgotten.

September 10 – Nominations for the JJC Distinguished Service Award due to the National President.

September 22-25 – Clipped Wings® Convention, Nashville, TN

September 30 – End of Fiscal Year

With the Lincoln Special Olympics expenses known, the amount of our donation to CAUSE can now be determined. It is the finale of our donations for this term. Delegates voted at the 2008 Convention to donate ten percent of our donations to Special Olympics to CAUSE. Broken down, that includes: Boise Special Olympics-- $25,000; Parent Grants for Lincoln-- $15,000; and Lincoln Special Olympics-- $18,410. Totaling $58,841. The National Treasurer will send a check for $5,841 to CAUSE.

Website Chairman, Pamela Pease Berding (OAK) (I just had to use those double P's!) has created a wonderful addition to the Clipped Wings website. She has posted two different photo displays of the Special Olympics in Lincoln—one of individual photos and the other one an actual slideshow. Thanks, Pamela!
http://www.clippedwings.com

The first Eunice Kennedy Shriver Day (EKS Day) will take place on September 25, 2010. To read more about this go to the website:
http://www.specialolympics.org/eksday/

It would be nice for chapters to have some activity to celebrate this day. Several possibilities are listed on the website. Do you have any ideas for how we can celebrate this day while at convention (it is on Saturday)? If so, please send me suggestions.

Gail Shannon Walker (MAL), Vice Chairman of the Nashville Convention, has asked to have the following included in this letter:

There will be a book exchange in the boutique on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.  Anyone who has one or two used books can drop them off there to get the exchange started.

Also, all the checks received for registration have been deposited.  If someone has a check that has not cleared the bank, then the registration form/check was not received.

Hotel information and a convention registration form are still available on the Clipped Wings® website:
http://www.clippedwings.com

National Secretary Christel Hasenbring Ilg (CHI) will soon be emailing several documents to convention delegates including reminders, an invitation, delegate responsibilities and materials needed for convention. Look for it in your inbox!

In the continuing attempt to “go green,” the website on which the 2008-09 chapter reports were posted has been reorganized and expanded to include the 2009-10 chapter reports. In addition to the chapter reports, national officer reports, national chairmen reports, the proposed bylaw amendments, the proposed resolutions and the preliminary proposed 2010-12 budget can also be found on this site. These additional materials are provided so that chapter members have an opportunity to review them and discuss them with convention delegates prior to the convention. To view the reports:

(1) Go to (new) website: http://tinyurl.com/32hf52a
(2) Type the user name and password, which was provided in the email cover letter you received with this president's letter.
(3) Follow the directions given on the website.

The posting of the chapter reports eliminates the requirement that chapter delegates take 50 copies of their chapter reports to convention.

Note that this is only for the chapter reports; national officers and chairmen will still be required to print 50 copies and take them to convention (to comply with the National Bylaws, Policy No. 12).

Please continue to keep our Clipped Wings® friends who are ill, having treatments/tests, or who have recently lost a loved one in your prayers. Cards, phone calls or perhaps visits are always a special way to bring a bit of sunshine into their lives.

Each convention the National Vice President is responsible for Presenting the Memorial Roll – a presentation of those former and current Clipped Wings® members whom we have lost since the last convention. For this coming convention, Barbara Fisk Vincent (SEA) has created a beautiful PowerPoint Presentation of photos of these members. It is so sad that there are 45 members on this roll.

It doesn't seem possible that my two-year term is soon coming to a close. It is difficult to put into words how much I have enjoyed serving as your National President. I thank you again for putting your confidence in me to carry out the duties of this office.

I found that as with most National Presidents, the chapter visits were the most enjoyable aspect of the office. Over the past two years, I have met and grown close to many Clipped Wings® members that I would never have had the chance to do so under normal circumstances. For that I am eternally grateful. I have found that we are a very caring and nurturing group of current and former flight attendants/stewardesses that have an abundance of love for each other and for our charities.

My travels took me to 34 chapter visits, 3 National Philanthropy activities (Boise, Shanksville and Lincoln) and 10 other trips (various meetings--UA, RUAEA, UAHF, etc.) totaling 48 separate events. I could not have done this without the help of Arlene MacAdam (SMF), who so generously made me her “Enrolled Friend” thereby giving me the use of her unlimited UA pass privileges. What an angel she has been for giving me wings again.

The National Advisors, Appointed Officers, and Chairmen completed all their tasks so diligently and without a hitch. I appreciate all their hard work, their professionalism and their commitment to Clipped Wings®.

I have sincerely enjoyed working with the Chapter Presidents (the Board of Directors) and applaud you for all your work and attention to details and deadlines. You contribute so much to making the organization run smoothly.

It was Barbara Boll Bertacini (RNO) who encouraged me to become National Editor in 2002 and then was relentless in getting me to run for National President. I can't thank her enough for not giving up on me when I kept saying “no.”

To each and every Clipped Wings® member with whom I had the opportunity to come in contact these past two years – through Quarterly newsletter articles, my president's letters, at philanthropy gatherings or chapter visits—I thank you for your support and kind words. They will never be forgotten.

I can't say enough good things about the Omaha Chapter members for their undying love and support, not just through my presidency but throughout my 36 years as a member of the chapter.

Two years ago when I took office, I had several goals I hoped to accomplish as president. Some of these were articulated in my candidacy speech at the LAX Convention. This final president's letter seems like an appropriate time to revisit these goals and see to what extent they were met. My goals included:

1 – Produce a unique president's letter.
2 – Email the president's letter the FIRST day of every month.
3 – Send handmade/special Christmas cards.
4 – Visit ALL chapters.
5 – Have every chapter represented on a committee.
6 – Write profiles of past national presidents.
7 – Create a My Space or Facebook page.

In review, I would say that 1, 2 and 3 were “mission accomplished;” 4 and 5 were “close but no cigar;” 6 is a “work in progress” and 7 really didn't get off the ground.

Goals are only dreams with deadlines. When I think of dreams, I am reminded of a favorite quote from the movie Bridges of Madison County. Robert Kincaid (played by Clint Eastwood) said, “The old dreams were good dreams; they didn't work out, but I'm glad I had them.” My goals were good goals; I didn't achieve them all, but I'm glad I had them.

No President is able to carry out the duties of her office without being surrounded by “good people” that make you want to do your best. I have certainly experienced that in my fellow Executive Committee members. They took on the duties of their respective offices with a level of dedication that will be difficult to match. Their support made working together easy and enjoyable.

Editor, Mary Ann – She has a sense of humor that made us laugh till our sides hurt. I will miss her funny emails and her ability to make us see the bright side. She persevered after losing her Quarterly helper, and gave us a publication that we looked forward to and so enjoyed reading. Go Fighting Irish!

Treasurer, Sheryl – How she got through these past two years with all “the other things going on in her life” is a wonder. And to complete all the work that the Treasurer's job entails all the while—amazing. Sheryl is probably one of the most sensitive people I know, and her love for everyone was so evident. I do hope both these ladies will find room in their lives again to run for another national office. Their leadership and commitment are commendable.

Secretary Christel – I have accused Christel of marrying her husband Harvey just so her initials would have the same three letters as her CHI chapter code. Her homemade jams have sustained me throughout the term, and I'm sorry to see that end. What a wonderful friend she has been to me – she was actually with me on ten of my chapter or event visits.

Vice President Barb – One of my favorite things about Barb is her beauty—both inward and outward. She not only dresses impeccably, but she also has a most tastefully decorated home. I know you are going to enjoy having her as your next president. She is very organized and conscientious; she will serve you well.

Husband Z - Last, but surely not least, I must thank my loving partner and husband, Z. I have been asked, “How can you do so much?” Well, it is because of him. This is not just me as your president—it is more “Team Ziebarth.” He is always there to advise, assist, calm, cook, clean, compute, counsel, create, direct, deliver, explain, finance, fix, gather, hug, inspire, listen, love, laugh, phone, photograph, plan, proofread, research, scan, support, suggest, taxi, teach, video, and zap. I couldn't do without him!

Being President of Clipped Wings takes a lot of time and is an “all encompassing” part of your life. “Why do it?” you may ask. There are so many perks that go along with this office!

• Receiving all chapter newsletters
• Meeting members in every chapter
• Working with United Airlines personnel
• Being wined and dined like a VIP
• Sharing homes of chapter members
• Developing friendships that will last forever
• Traveling all across U.S.
• Getting gifts & mementos from chapters
• Helping plan a national convention
• Representing Clipped Wings at events
• Creating projects you've always wanted to
• Experiencing euphoria when the term ends!

Countdown to:

Nashville Clipped Wings® Convention
September 22-26, 2010 — 22 Days

"Since I am an infrequent flyer, I have several questions that may seem a bit naive but still cry out for answers. Do 7:47 and 7:27 planes fly at any other times? Can I exchange my round-trip ticket for one that is rectangular so that it fits better in my carry on bag? If I fly a DC 10 can I still use my AC razor? Isn't it dangerous to make sure the passengers are loaded before take off? If I happened to be in the head (bathroom) when the 'Fasten Seat Belt' sign comes on, can my wife do it for me? My wife wants to know if a mudpack can be substituted for an oxygen mask? Should I bring my own in-flight meal if I'm allergic to pretzels and peanuts?" -- Lee Murdock, Grand Forks, North Dakota.

The great American philosopher Dolly Parton's top-grossing song, “I Will Always Love You” was written in 1973 for Porter Wagoner when she ended her singing partnership with him. It was released three times by Dolly and was recorded in 1992 by Whitney Houston for the movie The Bodyguard. Some of the lyrics include:

As I come to the end of my “partnership” with the four officers and the end of my term as President, I am left with those same feelings—I will always love you.

May your skies be blue, your clouds few, your flights smooth and your landings happy,

Pam Troutman Ziebarth
2008-2010 National President
pziebarth@cox.net

CC: National Officers
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Advisory Council