As I have said many times in the past, I am honored to serve as an officer of ICON, but the past has passed, and I refuse to waste valuable time rehashing something that is behind us. We have work to do! Looking forward, I will do my best to serve you well!

As President, my agenda for the remainder of this year is to build upon the strengths we already have, increasing the help and support we provide our (current and future) members who want/need to improve their basic skills. In order to accomplish this, we must streamline our methods, which will maximize the amount of help we provide for the largest number of people. To do so, we must find the most efficient possible ways to provide that help.

Providing help and support at the beginner level is a must, but it is only part of the equation. In order to be a strong users’ group, we must also provide help and support to those members at higher (intermediate and advanced) proficiency levels. If we fail to pursue this course, we will have nothing to hold the interest of those who have surpassed basic proficiency skills.

If you are reading this, I have already begun working with the other officers and SIG leaders to devise a comprehensive plan for accomplishing these goals. Updating our current operations, coordinating our joint efforts and working together, is the only way we can reach these goals—and they are reachable, with less time and effort than is currently being expended!

One important key to providing the help you need is for the leaders to hear from each of you what it is you want to learn about. If we don’t hear from you, we’re just guessing when we plan programs, SIG topics, and classes. ICON belongs to (and must serve) all of its members (including you, Charles Roberts, Mick Topping, David Oliver, Sarah Marshall, etc.), but you get out of something only what you put into it. Please, get involved! Volunteer to serve on a committee, share what you have learned at a Special Interest Group (SIG) meeting, help teach a class, bring (or help serve) refreshments, etc.

I enjoy socializing and the friendships I make with people who share interests similar to mine as much as anyone, but computer technology grows and changes continuously. For an organization whose purpose is to explore and share knowledge about computers, sitting still or doing the same things in the same ways is not an option. To do so would ensure failure, and that is not an option for me!

As we move ahead, my primary focus will always be to help facilitate our doing the very best we can to serve the needs of all ICON members, while reaching out to the community, encouraging others to join ICON and share in the fun we have while learning more about our computers and related technologies.

Hope to see you soon,
Terry