Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer
Those days of soda and pretzels and beer
Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer
Dust off the sun and moon and sing a song of cheer

These lyrics from an old Nat King Cole song have been in my head for several days and I couldn't understand why! I finally realized they were the perfect theme for a summertime article for my summer plans.

So, here it is-summer-most chapters slow down with regular programs during July and August, but if you look closely, the volunteer forces of the chapters haven't slowed down a bit! During the summer, chapters have to break in a new administrative council and the new folks on the council have to learn their new jobs, prepare a budget for a job they don't yet understand, and help plan their chapter's 2003/2004 year.

Lazy days? Probably not…our administrative councils (and other STC leaders and members) will be planning programs and contacting speakers; setting up their chapter's publications, art, and online competitions; updating rosters; tweaking bylaws; and preparing their presentations for the October Region 5 conference! Then we all need to think about getting those proposals out on August 1st for the 51st Annual Conference scheduled for Baltimore next May!

It seems that summer days are more crazy than lazy-crazy with planning all those things that will happen in the fall. Austin chapter (along with some others who have offered help) is in the middle of the flurry that precedes a regional conference. Intermountain and Phoenix chapters are busy taking notes and staying in the loop so that when they host the next two regional conferences, they will be ready!

Other chapters are planning seminars and career days, summertime leadership workshops and parties. No, it really doesn't look like anyone is resting, at all! And when that summer haziness shows up, it's actually the dust clouds from our thundering hooves!

Upcoming Events
My upcoming events include preparing for the September board meeting in Portland, Oregon. Then, in late October, I'll be spending a couple of days visiting our Arkansas chapter members. This trip is long overdue, and I'm excited about seeing folks in both Little Rock and Fayetteville. And in case that doesn't keep me busy enough, I've asked the folks in New Mexico (Kachina, New Mexico Tech, and Border Network) to suggest a good time in the fall for me to visit them!

Through it all, I'll be preparing my presentations for the Region 5 conference, just as many of you will! Word is that the Austin program committee received an abundance of proposals and will have four tracks of sessions! You Go, Austin!

Restful or Stressful?
So, how is your summer progressing? Restful or stressful? If you work it carefully, planning now, in this relatively quiet time, will ensure that the events you hold in the fall will be well thought out, well attended, and well done! Your summer garden of activities will bloom with bright fall color and offer great results because you took advantage of these lazy, hazy, crazy days. STC may look like it's gotten quiet for summer, but if you check closer, you'll see that STC folks might be busier than ever. Those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer are a bit light on the lazy.

Hope to see each of you at the Region 5 conference!

Blessings,

Linda

If you have questions or comments about the STC board of directors or any of the items mentioned in this article, please contact your director-sponsor or the STC office.

For more information about the Director-Sponsor visit the region 8 website.