Waking up to find myself the new Chair of the Bronx-Westchester Section seemed a little daunting at first. While before doing a good job was “good enough,” being the head of any organization has an expectation of greatness. The world today looks not just for leadership but for inspired leadership. Multi-tasking is not enough. Today’s technology allows everyone to form a critical opinion immediately.

I first have to thank my predecessors:  Rosemary Lee and Barbara Poseluzny. Both have shown the willingness to serve as well as the zeal to make things happen. Both have shown support and the eagerness to mentor. Neither has decided to “go gently into that dark night.” They should be lauded for the job they have done.

Second, I have to ask, “What is it that I bring to the table?” How do I keep this association moving forward? My answer came to me at a party hosted by an investment team. Looking around the room, one thing struck me: most of the clients were about retirement age. Very few were young. When I asked about this, the reply was that they were adding newer, younger clients from those who called seeking their help.

Unlike the investment team, we don’t receive many calls. It’s all word of mouth. In the last three years, our job has become tougher. Our annual convention has moved to the western part of the state. The urge to volunteer has become scarce. The willingness to take positions of leadership has become scarcer. In a time where every dollar counts, and joining a professional organization takes a back seat to necessities, the question of how we can remain relevant in the lives of people on a budget has become important.

I hope to successfully lead these efforts for this coming year. Please make use of our website, and come to our events. Please join us at our Board meetings to help us fulfill the needs of all teachers in our section. To paraphrase William Ernest Henley:

“Be the master of your fate, the captain of your soul.”