There are many words I could use to describe my experience these past 5 years on the Affiliate Leadership Council. The year before I was elected to the ALC I was asked by my affiliate to attend the Affiliate Assembly as the voting member.  I remember Chair-elect Karen Cadiero Kaplan and Chair Misty Adoniou were friendly and welcoming to everyone.  At the time they needed someone to take pictures of various events for the ALC and having had some experience as a photographer for a newspaper, I volunteered.  Volunteering, stepping into the breach, seeing or anticipating a need and filling it, are words I would use to describe why I decided to run for member A of the Affiliate Leadership Council. They are words which I feel describes qualities you need to be on the board.

From the day I volunteered to take pictures to the day I started as Member A, I never thought I would grow professionally as much as I have. I can attribute it to my experiences on the ALC. Here I learned how to lead, encourage, plan, and step back at times to see the bigger picture not necessarily what I wanted but what would be best for the ALC as I went from Member A to Chair-elect, Chair and Past Chair.

I remember thinking in the beginning, how does Karen or Misty know so much and how will I ever be able to do what they have done as Chair and Past Chair? How does everyone know what to do? Then I realized that you learn as you go along and everyone helps each other. The members of the board come from all over the world, with different ways of working, thinking and we need to all work together to help each other. It isn’t always easy since we are all so different. But embracing the differences while keeping true to what the ALC is, allows each of us to grow and work together. I realized I had strengths others didn’t, I am an idea person for one thing.  This was a strength that was valued within the ALC and helped me flourish. I didn’t join the ALC to change anything, I just wanted to be a part of the international community and help it grow. Valerie Borchelt was a strong, gracious, ever professional and tactful guide each year as we organized newsletters, activities, workshops, colloquiums and the assembly. I knew I could ask others if I needed help, and I kept copies of what the leaders before me had said and done so I could pattern myself after them yet be myself and say things my own way. As a member of the ALC I also took the responsibility to attend each TESOL convention seriously.  I think that barring legal, and health difficulties, it is important to realize that being on the board is a responsibility like a job, so you should try your hardest if you join the board to attend the conventions. As a teacher at a public school district, I was never given money to attend, and in some years I had to take personal days as my administrators did not look favorably on my traveling out of state for professional development. For the past five years I have saved money in advance each year in order to attend the convention. So I can understand that cost plays a big factor in decisions to join an international board.

I am so thankful for my time on the ALC, I have met so many gracious, and kind people from all over the world at the Assemblies, Colloquiums, and workshops that I feel my life has been enriched and broadened. There have been anxious moments, frustrating moments and sad moments, but through them all I cherish the friendships I have made and the wonderful, happy moments we have shared.

Meeting with colleagues at the TESOL Convention can be fun! Here Larisa Olesova and Janet Pierce meet with Yilin Sun on the convention floor.

One of the happiest moments I have shared at TESOL was when I, as Past-Chair of the ALC  awarded the Board of Three Rivers TESOL a certificate and plaque commemorating 25 years of member ship in TESOL International at the Toronto convention March 2015.

Pictured here are then Treasurer Peter Kolenich, Vice President Ece Ulus, President Linh Phug, ALC Past Chair Janet Pierce and Webmaster, Rob Mucklo from Three Rivers TESOL.