Notes from the Chair
It's late in my term to start this introduction, but it's better to do it late than never! As we begin this new year, I'd like to look at how MSA can best serve its members. We have many opportunities for engagement, and I'd like to make sure everyone knows about them, and make sure they're the best for our membership.
First, I'm looking forward to getting to know you. Even though my term as chair is up in May, I'd like to continue to stay involved. My family and I recently moved to Savannah, Georgia — our seventh move in 10 years! As a military spouse, indexing is a career that suits my needs for engaging, vibrant work in a setting that's not tied to a specific place. It's nice to know that I'm in control of my schedule (as much as that's possible, anyway — I know all about slipping timelines). We have two small boys, aged four and two, just to make things interesting. In a previous life I was a reference librarian at a public library and enjoyed both library instruction and helping people find information — indexing was a natural progression. Feel free to drop me a line anytime and introduce yourself or let me know what you'd like to see out of the chapter.
I've created a short survey to find out how the chapter can be more active and in what ways we can best serve you, the membership. I was disappointed to have to cancel the fall workshop. I'd hoped offering a hands-on, lab-style session would provide value that can't be gained in an online setting, and am curious to see if there's interest in organizing one for this spring, with the national meeting on the West Coast. Chapters provide a unique opportunity for low-cost engagement and a way for us to have some of the benefits of a national conference without the burden of long-distance travel.
In addition I'd like to see what sort of online interaction would work best for this chapter and I do hope you'll take time to fill out the survey, and check out the MSA chapter Facebook group and email list.
In the meantime, I encourage you to take advantage of the wonderful online learning opportunities ASI provides in the form of webinars, and look forward to seeing those of you who plan to travel to Seattle for the national conference.
Thanks, and happy indexing!
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