Dear Members,

If we were to meet in one year with a bottle of champagne, what would we be celebrating?  

A good friend asked me that very question exactly one year ago. The answer? We’d be celebrating the many accomplishments of the past twelve months!  

We started our fiscal year in July of 2019 in a position of momentum and excitement; our chapter was very busy in the first half of that fiscal year (July-December)! We:

• Came together to learn about wines and cheeses to serve at our events
• Partnered with SITE TX to Craft for a Cause and combat human trafficking
• Received the award of Top Performing Chapter for our hard work last year
• Took part in TEC19 in San Antonio last November with some of our highest evaluation scores to date
• Had one-and-a-half days of inspiration, thought-provoking education and many opportunities to network, followed by the Women in Leadership certificate program
• Collaborated with five industry organizations for the Jingle & Mingle holiday event
• Continued our partnership with the IAEE Central Texas Chapter in January and held the most successful Southwest Showcase Conference in its history
• Hosted many fun and positive conferences and networking experiences in the first half of the year

Our chapter started the second half of the year armed and ready with a new brand and goals for a strong finish. Little did we know that our world would come to a complete stop. Together, we are all facing a truly unprecedented situation. The pandemic is affecting all of our families, our industry and our way of life. The impact has been devastating for many in our industry.  

One day, the meetings and events will return to normal levels of the past.  The question isn’t a matter of whether they will -- because they will -- but a question of when. And until that happens, we go virtual.  

In April, we started a virtual town hall series to keep you, our members, informed of how we are doing. While we regroup and make plans for our new normal, I can assure you that your board is minding the business. We are in a strong financial position thanks to the diligence of our past boards in building our reserves. We continue to be transparent and communicate on a regular basis.  

With that, we end our fiscal year on June 30, standing proudly with all of the many accomplishments and strengths of our board. It takes a village, and every single board member has remained strong during this crisis. Thank you to all of those board members and the many volunteers throughout the year who have helped us remain a strong community.  

The Texas Hill Country Chapter board started the year off with the theme of “Stronger Together.”  I can’t think of a more fitting sentiment then and during this pandemic now.  

I sincerely thank you for the opportunity to serve as your president this year.

Marcia Williams, CMM, CMP
2019-2020 MPI THCC President