This have been very hectic this past week, but we were able to take a much needed break to go on one of our favorite weekends. For the past 20 years (more or less), we have spent the first weekend in May at USEA conference. Garth was on the state board for 13 years of that time. We have always enjoyed our association with the great people who work for the classified employees of the school districts in our state. Our children grew up with the monthly meetings in Salt Lake and we have many memories of fun times with all the people from the staff and the boards. We have made life-time friends that are always there for us. We have greats memories of that fun time in Park City when we were about the only people in the building and had the hot tub all to ourselves. Remember when Mom stepped up and told the people at McDonald's that we were in line before the breakfast time ended and that we wanted our breakfast biscuits? You kids were so proud of Mom speaking up for you. It wasn't our fault the cashier couldn't get the order in front of us right and we had to wait for him.
We were reminded many times this weekend about the time Barrett beat Rick in golf. Everyone is still laughing at that one. And of course, we all remember the big "administration" problems and the changing of the chief in command. But after all these memories it is the people we have learned to love that we remember the most.
In the past, Garth has nominated four people for employee awards and all four people have received the awards: Zora Fielder (instructional aide),Connie Ware (instructional aide),Carol Stilson (secreatary), and Sid Lancaster (administrator). This year we nominated another person but they were not chosen so we will try again next year. But the best of all was the award Garth got this year.
USEA has a Lifetime Member award which is not given out very often. In fact, there are only 6 who have received this award. A lifetime member is given the honor to attend every USEA meeting and a vote in all delegate meetings for his/her lifetime. They do not have to be in attendance as a delegate from their local association. In order to qualify for this lifetime membership, the nominee must have served for 10 years on the local or state board (13 counts) and be an example of a great classified employee, (got that one, too!) The executive board must first vote that this person qualifies and give their approval for the nomination. The board member for the area then reads the nomination form to the members, who them must vote for their acceptance. Marie Leonard from Carbon read the nomination for Garth, and the delegates agreed with her by giving him a standing ovation and a loud, long round of applause. There were many new people there, but a good number of the old faithful delegates who have come to Garth for advice for many years. Of course, the vote still needed to be taken, so we had to wait until the end of the business and speeches to learn the results. In the meantime, we were told by Mike Hepner to be sure to stay around for the results, and I got a thumbs up from him in the hallway. When the results of the vote were given, the new president said that the standing ovation said it all, the vote was 100% in the affirmative to accept Garth as a Lifetime member.
It was kind of strange to see that all of the executive board members were "new" since Garth served, except one, and the president and president-elect. But they still came to Garth for advice about some of the procedures, etc that needed to be followed. It was very humbling to see the respect they all have for him. This is definately an honor that he deserved. Now we can look forward to our "vacation" every year and allow someone else the opportunity to attend as a delegate. He was given a very nice plaque from the board, and Mike said it is great to know that Garth will be around to always keep him in line.
So I want my husband to know that I am very proud of him for being the kind of many that helps so many people. They all look up to him and know that he is an advocate for the working people of the associations.
And also, it is his birthday on Monday, so Happy birthday dear!
2 comments:
That is great. Congrats Dad. Someone needs to keep Mike in line and everyone else in that office for that matter.
Congrats Dad! It's about time you get it. Yeah so many memories going to the USEA meetings. I remember the time Barrett beat Rick in golf. Who was it that dressed up as a bee at conference? AND, best of all... When dad ripped his pants at delegate conference. I grew up going to USEA conference and there are so many memories that I have of us as a family there. You deserve it dad, I am proud of you! Where is conference at next year? :)
Post a Comment