[NFBV-Potomac-Announce] Welcome, Many Thanks, and Lots to Do . . .

[Christine Grassman]

Welcome to the New Board . . . and Profuse Thanks to Those Who Served
Good morning all:
I want to thank the chapter once more for the privilege of being elected President.  It has been a tough year for all of us, requiring a great deal of flexibility, adapting, and a maintain some sense of normalcy and “business as usual” in an environment, both emotional and physical, that did everything in its power to rebuff our efforts.
I know that Deepa, John, Arielle, and Sean will continue to be the available, responsible, and reliable contributors they have always been.  I know that we all wish Kathryn Webster the absolute best as she makes her way to Boston this summer to start her Master’s in Business at some school that I believe is called Harvard, or something like that.  Rings a bell somewhere.
I want to thank the board members who gave their time and efforts last year, and those who served on committees: Sarah, Sean, Naim, Diana, Nancy, Sandy, Patty, Carin, Joe H., Carl,  and this guy John Halverson keeps popping up and helping out.  From presenters to voting initiatives, from the holiday fund-raiser to membership list chaos, from vaccine access to traffic light advocacy, our chapter has a fine group of individuals, ready, willing, and able to give of their time, ideas, advocacy, and donations so that we can have an active and vibrant chapter.
I want to thank Tracy Soforenko (some of you may know him), and Joe Orozco for their unfailing willingness to provide advice and to listen to my concerns.  
This chapter has been a reliable place for us even though we had no place to meet.  It has been a space for sharing smiles and struggles, of being together despite being apart.  It has provided stability and purpose, just as the Federation provided the same for it and the many other chapters and divisions which have needed something to be there that was familiar, that needed us, and that we all needed.  
If I forgot to mention a particular person, effort, or event, please accept my profuse and repeated apologies; this year has not been easy; the middle-aged, partially gray mare just ain’t what she used to be.
And so . . . we have much to do: activities to explore and plan, fund-raising to do, a national convention that will be virtual but vital, a state convention to plan, and which, if all goes as it seems to be going, will be in person.  (Cue the drumroll, pipes, and whistles. Too early in the morning? OK. Just imagine them then.) 
Our new board members, Rachel, Quidsiya, and Karin are ready to roll up their sleeves and dive in, as are the reliable chairs and members of our membership and fund-raising committees.
I want every member of this chapter to get involved this year as we break out of some significantly challenging times.  Join one of our committees, or come to me with an idea for a new committee, or a fresh start to a committee which has languished.  Bring your strengths and knowledge to any and every facet of our fellowship and advocacy.  I have already received a very exciting idea for a fund-raiser that has the potential for seriously waking things up.  Nope, no spoilers.  I like to leave them guessing.
OK, it’s time for my first cup of coffee. I don’t know how I have gone this long without it. . . . 
We have lots to do, but we are an awesome chapter, and we’ve   got this.