Executive Director's Message | February 2021
I don’t know how many of you are on active Facebook, but I am. One of the fun things about it is that it shows you memories from “this day” in past years. Usually those are fun—seeing reminders of theatre productions I’ve been in, I-can’t-believe-they-were-ever-that-little pictures of my kids. Last week, though- last week’s memories were rough! A year ago last week was the CSMFO 2020 Annual Conference. I have pictures showing up in memories of going to Oga’s Cantina with President-Elect Marcus Pimentel and Past President Joan Michaels Aguilar, and I can almost feel my lips tingling from my Fuzzy Tauntaun. Of having Best Ever Hot Chocolate on the patio of the Napa Rose with Steve Heide during the President’s Dinner. Of dancing in the middle of Route 66 at midnight with so many of you. Of getting to talk to you all on stage, in my sparkly Minnie ears, as I introduced closing keynote speaker Steve Gross.
I miss all of it. I miss all of you. I don’t know you all personally, obviously, but I miss that feeling of connection, of belonging. I miss the energy that has become synonymous with the CSMFO Annual Conference.
But, because I never stay maudlin for long, my thoughts turn toward how we can stay connected until we can meet again in person (next year in San Diego!—she says hopefully). We started doing some virtual engagement activities late last year, and plan to continue those, every other month, through the end of 2021. If you haven’t found us yet on MoveSpring, I encourage you to download the app and find us. January just ended, but we’ll be doing another steps challenge in May (and again in September!). The top steppers have been INTENSE, to say the least, so May’s challenge will switch it up a bit and also recognize some of the rest of us that aren’t doing 40,000 steps a day. Who can be the “most average” stepper?? Now that’ll be a challenge!
Up next, though, we’ll be doing another “prompt a day,” this time through our Facebook page. We’ll be encouraging people to share pictures and stories of what makes them happy, and encouraging each of you to engage with each other. Encouraging you to post those positive things on your own page, so a year from now your Facebook memories will remind you of things that made you happy.
Our 2021 Annual Conference is in just a couple weeks. It won’t be the same as your past conference experiences, so let’s not expect it to be. Let’s expect it to be something new, with its own virtues to highlight. I, for one, am looking forward to attending the conference wearing yoga leggings, and to showing off my home which (a surprise to no one, I’m sure) is full of Disney décor. I’m looking forward to the chapter networking and the Jeopardy and the dueling pianos; to everything, really, that will allow me to engage with you all and see your faces.
In case I haven’t said it enough recently—I love CSMFO. The camaraderie, the laughter, the willingness of our members to help each other. That’s what this organization is all about. That culture has prevailed even in these weird virtual times, and it’s entirely because of you. You’re all rockstars, and I’m blessed to know you.
Melissa Manchester, CAE, has served as CSMFO’s Executive Director since January 2009. Melissa is a seasoned executive with over 20 years of experience in administrative and management services to trade associations. Melissa graduated from California State University, Sacramento, where she received a bachelor’s degree in English, and earned her MBA from Walden University with a concentration in nonprofit administration. Melissa received the prestigious Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation from the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) in 2010, and does everything within her power to bring not just exceptional and professional service but also fun and laughter to her clients.
