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<< back to the 2001 archive listing << Dairy, Food and Environmental Sanitation Postcards from Iowa, November 2001 Reflecting on 'our' year at IAFP, things have been very good As we move into fall, we have the opportunity to spend a little time reflecting on the events of the year. And by that I mean the events that have occurred in addition to the tragedy that occurred on September 11th. Reflecting on "our" year at IAFP, things have been very good, from our very narrow perspective. For example, if you take the time to review our Award winners from the Annual Meeting, you will see some of those who represent the best of IAFP. The spectrum reaches from those who have contributed for most of their professional careers (Honorary Life Members) to the newest Members of IAFP, our student awardees. I would ask you to consider those that you know, and see if any of your colleagues are deserving of these awards for next year. It is not too early to begin the nomination process for these awards. I met the award winners and know how much winning his or her award meant to the individual. Think of what winning an award would mean to one of your colleagues. In this spirit of reflection, take some time to read through some of the reports on the Committee meetings. Yes, I know what you’re thinking "Sure. Some night when I can’t fall asleep!" But the reports give you the opportunity to understand how YOUR organization works. How do you know what goes on in a journal management committee if you don’t read the report? Many of our current committee members became part of a specific committee because they learned what the committee did, thought that they could contribute in some way, and then volunteered. That makes the organization stronger; interested people contributing their time and talents to benefit everyone in IAFP. I think it is also appropriate to say a few words about our exhibitors. Our exhibitors make an investment to come and display at our Annual Meeting, and no one would deny that they hope to recover that investment through future sales. But many of our exhibitors also take an active part in the meeting. Take a look around in the next technical session that you attend, and don’t be surprised if you see several people with "Exhibitor" ribbons on their name badges. Many of our exhibitors come not only to display their material, but also to hear the latest information on food safety. That makes IAFP somewhat unique among the professional meetings, and also indicates the level of competence of the people on the exhibit floor. We’re not "just another meeting" for many of them. As the seasons of the year change and we move towards Thanksgiving, we also have time to reflect on our own lives. People say that the world seems "different," that the events of September have forever changed the way we look at the things in our lives. But we should not let the deeds of a few individuals, who were themselves deceived by others, cloud our vision. The world is what we make of it. In the words of Dag Hammarskjold, "Do not look back. And do not dream about the future. It will neither give you back your past nor satisfy your daydreams. Your duty, your reward — your destiny — are here and now." Same time, next month. |