Governor's Message

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Gov. Sue at work with cast

Hello Members of Founder Region:

Desiree balked, refusing to load; she much preferred to graze on the nearby grass. I couldn't blame her the last time I put her in this trailer she spent three days at the hospital being poked, jabbed, and hassled by the neighbor in the next stall. I've heard we shouldn't put human values on our animals. But I know my cats feel love, jealousy, and anger I see it in their interactions with us and with each other. And Desiree was definitely feeling obstinate – the, "I'll show her who's the lead mare" kind of obstinacy. She finally got settled in for the short ride to the stables, but I missed the event. The vet was half supporting, half carrying me back into the office so I could sit down before I fainted. I was holding my right arm tightly with my left hand and wondering how my hand and wrist could be so contorted – it looked like an "S". It reminded me of a scene in Harry Potter when one of the professors tried to magically repair Harry's broken arm. The spell turned his bones into cartilage and the hand hung loosely, quivering like Jello. What I'm saying is the whole experience was surreal. My horse ended up safely back in her stall and I went to the emergency room where my right arm was encased in a bulky plaster cast. Was it Desiree's fault? No I tripped over my own feet!

I now understand the true meaning of the word "klutz" and the saying, "You never appreciate what you have until you don't have it!" Your right hand is just that "your right hand" – how does one do things without the use of a right hand? Lying in bed later that day my thoughts were a litany of WOE IS ME – conference is coming up, taxes must be prepared, and we are just beginning the show season. The list of challenges was never-ending:

Yes, I’ve learned to adapt and find new ways of doing things:

• To open a can of cat food I use the food processor (its heavy) to hold the can while I pull on the tab; using the electric can opener takes a different set of tricks
• That wonderful fabric used for gripping lids to open bottles is perfect for keeping plates, etc from moving around on a counter top
• I use my right elbow, feet and knees a lot (remember the movie My Left Foot, very inspiring)
• These days it is much easier to make a phone call than it is to type an email message and if you pace while you are talking you get exercise. Legislative Advocacy Committee Chair Tess does that qualify for the exercise challenge?
• Elastic waist anything is easier than zippers, buttons, etc
• Other necessary rituals – ask Secretary Linda Sue about the "Taco Bell Bidet"

Our clubs are a lot like I was BBA (before broken arm) I did things the same old way, the way that was comfortable. I didn't come up with new ways of doing things because I didn't have to. Yes I could sit back and let my Soroptimister do all the work, but he is recovering from pneumonia and took on all the responsibility of caring for my horse (he doesn't even like horses). Was it fair to let him carry the full load?

Members, if your club is experiencing any of the following:

Your club may be suffering from BBA (Before Broken Arm Syndrome) – there is a cure. Here is the prescription, follow directions and continue using until all BBA symptoms have disappeared:

• Complete an annual club survey, compile the results, and use the information for the planning process
• Evaluate your club projects: does one project identify your work in the community and does it resonate with members of the community? If not, conduct a thorough investigation of your community. What needs are not being met by other organizations (non-profit, government, or other)? After you identify the need determine how your club can fill the need and create a project. Keep the Soroptimist mission of improving the lives of women and girls in focus as you create a new project or "tweak" an old one.
• Create a strategic plan for your club to include: Membership (recruitment, retention, and appreciation), Program, Public Awareness, and Fundraising
• Get back to basics – the most valuable ingredient in the prescription are the members – give everyone an opportunity to share ideas and suggestions. There are no bad ideas – there are some ideas that will work better than others. Use what will work best for the whole, not a small majority.
• Members who get upset because their "pet" project or idea isn’t accepted by the majority do not have the best interest of the club in mind, or they may not be able to see how they fit into the “updated thinking”. Every member has skills to share. Find out what each member does well and use those talents
• Plan for R & R – all work and no play slows down the healing process

Follow the directions in the prescription and I guaranty you will come up with scathingly brilliant ideas and find new ways of doing things that will infuse the club with energy and enthusiasm. Will you have set-backs? Yes, but be resilient. When you run into a closed door – open the window; you’ll see avenues to achieve your club goals that you never expected. Use the resources available to you: your region committee members, district director and region officers, SIA and SI. My "open the window" thinking generated a myriad of charming ideas including "CAST FOR A CAUSE" and "STAR".

Finally: Treat every member the way you want to be treated – especially your Soroptimister – you never know when you might need a good right arm.

Love to all,