Last night was a very special night in my ECM career. I attended the 14th annual golf benefit for the Horace Mann School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, sponsored by the AIIM New England Chapter.
I came to this event feeling honored and excited - anticipating my ceremonial induction as the 2009-20010 New England Chapter President. But, my self-centered emotions quickly paled. Despite my membership in the AIIM New England Chapter of 20+ years, I have never attended this annual fundraiser. (The event is anchored in a golf tournament and I do not golf. I always assumed therefore it was not a place for me. I could not have been more wrong.) After a full day of golf, there is an amazing gala complete with dinner, an auction and social networking (without the aid of ANY technology - a refreshing change.) This year also included a special tribute to a colleague and friend, Mark Robinson.
Participating in the latter part of the event, it became apparent to me that over the last 14 years, a most successful partnership has developed between AIIM New England and the Horace Mann School. Horace Mann is a unique school. It is the oldest public day school for the deaf and hard of hearing in the United States. Throughout the evening, students, parents and staff from the school mingled with AIIM members and friends in a familiar and warm way that only comes with time and purpose shared over deeply meaningful goals.
Witnessing the many ways in which the New England-based ECM industry supports the Horace Mann School (including financial contibution, donation of equipment an dteh hiring of older students and alumni), gave me an entirely new sense of honor in being associated with the AIIM New England Chapter. (Sponsors included: Hyland Software, Kodak, Iron Mountain, IKON, Vignette, DatBank IMX, Muckle & Associates, Xerox, AIIM New England, ARMA Boston, C/F Data Systems, Versitec, Scanworks, Cranel Imaging, and many other non-ECM local establishments.)
I came to realize that along with accepting the official AIIM New England gavel, I've also received the opportunity and privilege to be part of a community that has successfully worked together to reach beyond the boundaries of ECM business and technology, to better the lives of others. As a Boston public school parent, I am keenly aware of the struggles and challenges our public schools currently face.
I am indeed honored, but also humbled to assume a position on this team of extraordinary folk, to help guide and grow the local AIIM chapter, and to continue the wonderful tradition of alliance with the Horace Mann School. Heck - I may even learn how to golf.
