I am a summer person by nature. I'd much rather be hot than cold, given the choice. Each year in September, when the summer cicadas' songs are replaced by the chirps of the crickets, I'm both a little sad and a little exhilarated. The onset of fall in the Ozarks brings many changes: brightly colored leaves, festivals of all kinds, migrating Monarchs, cooler nights. We are busy in the fall as we prepare our homes, cars and selves for the coming winter.

As members of a computer users' group, we are used to change; technology never stands still. This year, your ICON users' group will be mirroring the fall season by undergoing changes of its own. On October 21, at ICON's monthly membership meeting, those members in attendance will be asked to ratify a new constitution and bylaws for ICON.

During the summer months, a committee consisting of Harold Hunton, Mary Phillips, Bill Patrick, Penny Kubitschek and Terry Roberts, as well as several other ICON members, met for over 30 hours to review and revise ICON's constitution and bylaws. I was privileged to attend each of these meetings; as the "court reporter" I recorded the proceedings. Some topics required extensive discussions, others almost none, but in every case, without fail, the committee was able to come to a unanimous consensus….an amazing feat!

ICON's constitution and bylaws, before revision, totaled 7 pages. After the proposed revision, they total 8 pages. My notes from the committee meetings, along with a few related e-mails between committee members, cover over 150 pages, printed with the smallest possible margins. As you can see, a great deal of discussion and effort went into those final 8 pages! The meeting minutes are available to any member who wishes to review them; contact Harold Hunton or Mary Phillips.

Mary Phillips, in her Prez Sez article in September, mentioned in detail the major changes in the proposed revision. You can read Mary's article online on our web site. You can also read the old and proposed documents there; the link is on ICON's home page, and we encourage you to review the proposal before the October 21 meeting.

Just as with the change of the seasons, I find myself exhilarated at the changes ICON is about to experience. The proposed changes in our constitution and bylaws are designed to achieve two primary objectives: First, and most important, YOU the membership have a definitive voice in the running of the organization. Secondly, more checks and balances have been added, and your officers will be held more accountable to you and to each other. Unlike my feelings regarding fall, I can't find any sadness in these proposed changes. I believe they are all for the best. They will guide us in preparing ICON for not just this coming winter but for the future!

Please attend and vote at the October meeting! See you then.