Lesly Connolly
To the MPI Potomac Chapter,
What a year it has been!
As the 2017-2018 chapter year comes to a close and my time as your President nears its end, I find myself very humbled and reflective of my time with you. At the incoming Board of Directors Retreat in May 2017, there were so many grand ideas and exciting initiatives mixed with passion and enthusiasm - I was wondering how we would accomplish everything without superpower capes!
Looking back at this past year, I am so pleased to say that many of the initiatives that we set out to accomplish were very successful. The complete revamping of our annual education conference - MACE! - brought a new dynamic and trend to our attendees that they enjoyed. The initial creation of the Diversity and Inclusion Task Force was another new initiative that our Chapter embraced this year. The team is energized and focused, and I am looking forward to seeing what they accomplish in the year ahead.
The Chapter is financially sound, and our membership is stable. We continue to enjoy the title of being the third largest chapter globally of MPI! We could not do this without YOU - the members.
WE HEAR YOU
Earlier this year, many of you completed the MPI Membership Survey and provided feedback not only for MPI as a whole, but for our Chapter as well. At the beginning of the year, my initial President’s Address asked all of you to engage with us during the year - to let us know what you want to see, and how we can improve. I want to thank you for taking the time to do so. We were very pleased to see that we met your expectations in certain areas, and pleased that you shared feedback on areas that you would like to see improved. We took your feedback and suggestions very seriously at our retreat in May, and the incoming Board of Directors is looking forward to working on those key areas that you identified. Your thoughts matter. Your suggestions matter. We can only improve if we hear you - and we did!
THANK YOU
To You - Our Members: Thank you for embracing me as your 2017-2018 President. When I began my leadership roles with MPI Potomac back in 2007, becoming President of this chapter was not something I thought I would attain. It has been an amazing adventure this year, and I am excited for the Chapter’s future with our incoming President, Kaitlin Felix, at the helm. We are in excellent hands.
To the 2017-2018 Chapter Volunteers: You are the glue that holds it together! We would not be able to accomplish our goals without our volunteers and committee members. Thank you for volunteering, for raising your hand and saying "Yes, I want to be a part of improving our chapter." Your hard work and efforts never go unnoticed or unappreciated.
To the 2017-2018 Board of Directors: Never have I worked with a more passionate, dedicated, collaborative team of industry leaders. I have watched all of you over the last 12 months give everything you have to the success of our Board and this chapter. I am so proud of our time together. For those of you continuing on the Board next year, I am excited for our future. For those that are leaving the leadership circle - THANK YOU for your service to the chapter and for your friendship. You will be missed but please stay involved. Your experience is invaluable.
MPI Potomac is seen as one of the leaders, one of the innovators - as a Chapter that can be looked to for best practices and initiatives to emulate. Let’s continue that trend together next year! Please be involved - find ways to volunteer. Lend your talents to a committee that speaks to you. Even if it is only for a few hours a month. Every volunteer has the power to change and shape the future of our Chapter. Every volunteer is a future leader of MPI Potomac.
My fondest wishes to all of you for a very happy, fun, and exciting summer with family and friends. It has been an honor to serve you this year. Thank you for this incredible opportunity - an experience that I will always look back on with pride.
~Lesly