Getting Involved with IECA Can Be a Priceless Experience

When I am asked what IECA means to me and why I give my time to this organization, I consider many things. After this past year of transition, I have seen that the dedication of our committee members, our staff, and our other volunteers rises to the top.

IECA has many committees, and the chairs of these committees are hardworking volunteer members. Other members also donate their time through annual conference presentations and the work they do within their Chapters. This commitment by so many people keeps me going even when things seem to be chaotic in my own life or in the workings of IECA.

We are always looking for new volunteer participants, and I would like to put out the call for others to join us in this endeavor. Nonprofit associations exist because of volunteer committees, members, and staff. The more knowledgeable and diverse these groups become, the more the association’s strength and growth excels.

Ron Faucher, CPESC
President of IECA Board of Directors

IECA has many committees and other possibilities for new volunteers. Currently, there are 10 committees, with an additional seven subcommittees. There is much to say about the value of these committees and volunteering for IECA. To quote a TV commercial, these opportunities are “priceless.” I would like to highlight two volunteer areas and discuss some of the work done by these groups.

IECA Board of Directors
Although the Board is not a committee by definition, we are volunteers just the same. In the past two years of my presidency, this Board has been challenged. We have had to undertake a search for a new executive director, something we had not planned for and had thought would be many years down the road. The search and hiring process was an enlightening one, and I believe the Board made a great choice in choosing Russ Adsit.

Secondly, the economy threw us another challenge with the cost of maintaining our office in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. A bit of research proved that Denver, Colorado, was less expensive and would open a new pool of potential employees. We appointed a committee to look for space in Denver. A recommendation was submitted to the Board and was approved unanimously.

Pat Fete, office manager, and Scott Johnson, IT manager, both made the move to Denver, and Meg Tully, CAE, is working from a virtual office in Steamboat Springs. New staff includes Jimmy Eanes, CPESC, CPSWQ, and Katie Kiaha, whose profiles are highlighted in this issue, along with other experienced non-profit employees.

Volunteers
If there ever was a time that IECA needs its volunteers to step up and help the association, it is now. We need all our members to be ambassadors for IECA to make EC09 a successful conference, to assist our ever-growing Chapters, and to grow the organization in general. In these economic times, people are struggling and organizations are no different. Promoting EC09 and IECA in general to all your colleagues, friends, and industry contacts will make this conference one of the best we have ever had and this organization the strongest it has ever been.

Please continue to support your essential Best Management Practice … IECA.