My name is Chris Palmer, and I'm running for a second term on the LOPSA Board. The first term was a bit of a wild time; we radically changed our purpose and direction mere months after being elected, and suddenly had to launch and start an entire new organization from scratch.

We therefore spent a lot of time building policy, membership structurs, and the like; we spent a lot of time launching new programs, and figuring our mission out. That was all to the good, and necessary for our new organization. And just as good, we did not spend a lot of time navel gazing about governance, trying to figure out what the blockages to action were, and bickering amongst ourselves. We have a great staff, a great group dynamic, and above all a great membership.

But we're not done with our startup phase. There are a lot of ideas left from our very first checklists, and much more for LOPSA to accomplish, even before it pulls out of it's infancy.

And I'm running again because I'd like to see that through.

I'm proud to have served as the spokesbeast for LOPSA for the last two years. My role is to be the communicator: writing the Memos, conducting the lopsa-live sessions, working on bringing the website forward. I think we've done good work in having regular contact with our membership via a variety of channels. However, we have work to do -- much of it! -- when it comes to communicating with the outside world; the website needs work, and we need to develop new ways of reaching new audiences for LOPSA.

That's what I'd like to make my task in the coming Board; that external
outreach, both to potential new members, but also the world at large. LOPSA has a duty not only to reach new members and provide them with services, but speak for our members as a whole. This past term we've been unable to do so; we were far too busy getting our own house in order. That will continue to be our first priority; we can't consistently speak for the profession without being a solid organization first. But we can certainly start, and if elected, I intend to do so.

Thank you!

-Chris Palmer

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