As I get ready to leave office and write my final Director’s message, I reflect on the last three years and marvel at all that has been accomplished in such a short period of time. Three years may seem like a long time to some, but in reality it has gone by as fast as a click of a camera shutter flickering to allow just enough light to engrave and freeze a moment in time as a single lasting image of what once was.

 

I have enjoyed my time serving you as your Southeast Region President and have had numerous learning opportunities awarded to me as a member of the Institute Board of Directors. I hope I was able to leave behind a small imprint of my time of service to the Southeast Region and the Institute. But, I know that with time those imprints will fade and will be replaced by those that will come after me. However, I know for certain, I take with me a lifetime of memories, friendships, and a vast wealth of knowledge gained over these last three years.

 

As my good friends from The Puerto Rico Chapter always say “Para tras, ni pa coger impulso”, there is no need to look back any further than we have to. Tomorrow brings a new sunrise full of new light to guide your new Southeast Region leaders via the road map of opportunities we have set forth during these last three years. The FY07 to FY09 Southeast Region Boards have done what no other Region in the country has done to date and that is have all of the Region Governance changes ready to hit the road running on July 1, 2009 (FY10).

 

I’m proud of each and every one of you that stepped up when the Southeast Region asked for your help, from the Region Conference Committee, Bylaws Change Task Team, Governance Structure Task Team, New Region Government Implementation Task Team, Leadership Training Task Team, Leadership Orientation, Region Nominating Committee, and FY10 Board alignment implementation. I thank you all for making me look good as President.

 

At the CAUCUS in Indianapolis this coming June 18, 2009 @ 5:30 PM we will be conducting the Installation of The FY10 Southeast Region Board, I hope that you will attend and help me turn over the President’s Gavel to the FY10 Southeast Region President, John Robinson, CSI, CDT. John has been instrumental in helping Wade and I during this transition and has already had one face to face meeting with the FY10 SER Board. You will have the opportunity at the CAUCUS to sit in with the FY10 SER Board and help plan the future course of the Southeast Region.

 

I bid you farewell my good friends and may your journey yield you a steady tail wind to push you along the way.

 

Godspeed

José A. Guaty, CSI, CDT