Many of the articles I've written for our newsletter have appeared on my monitor as my fingers flew over the keyboard, trying yet again to finish before it was too late to submit to the Newsletter Editor. Phew! Done with that for a while! What? Faye needs my article? But it seems like I just finished the last one! Somehow I've never been able to sit down enough ahead of time to write and submit BEFORE the deadline. Until now, that is. All of the articles I've written for our newsletter have been technical (or at least, informational) in nature. Until now, that is.

This past Saturday, Mary Phillips was elected as ICON's new President (Godspeed, Mary!) In looking forward to this new beginning for our group, and in realizing that my "reign" as "first lady" of ICON is over, it seems a good time to reflect on the past two years. Has it really been that long?

Yes, a little over two years ago, Terry surprised me by announcing his candidacy for the office of President of ICON. "But other members have more computer experience than you," I thought (but did not say). "It's a worthwhile organization," he said. With that, he began painting with words his vision of what ICON could become. With that, I discovered that the organization didn't need computer experience; it needed a leader.

At that first officers' meeting after his election, I think he shocked many of the other officers by the breadth and width of the changes he proposed. Little did they know the suggestions he made at that first meeting were only the beginning. Soon ICON had new equipment, new software, a new logo, our own domain name, and a web site under redesign. Officers' meetings became a monthly happening, always following an agenda that Terry authored and typed himself. Suddenly the officers always had a lot to talk about! ICON was entering the 21st century!

In the early days of Terry's presidency, some members felt that I was somehow the source of Terry's ideas for the group. I can only suppose the reason for such thoughts was that I could type faster (though not the 900 wpm Terry claims!) or had more computer experience. By now, though, I think you know the truth. Yes, I am one who has helped make Terry's vision for ICON a reality, especially through the web site. But please believe that without his vision and his energy for seeing that vision through to completion, the advances the organization has made during the past two years would have been far fewer.

If I were to define Terry's platform during his term, I would say it revolved around making certain that ICON belongs to its members. Every initiative he has taken has been to further that ideal. He initiated the members' survey to glean information about what the members want. He proposed, and the officers adopted, the members' referral plan. Terry proposed the online members' forums, and then waited (mostly) patiently for a year until I found the time to adapt the code to our site. Had I known the joy the completion of the members' forums would bring him, I'd have somehow found time sooner.

Terry has shared many of his goals for ICON in his monthly From the President's Perspective articles. We've all learned about a guy who lost a quarter, about teaching a man to fish, and about inevitable change. I am certain Terry's vision for ICON has not ended with his term as President. I can hardly wait to see what he has in store for us as Program Chairman.

Terry seldom misses an opportunity to compliment me and my accomplishments as they relate to ICON. This former first lady wants to take this opportunity to say, "Well done, Terry. Well done."