by Zerline Johnson
From the Pledge of Allegiance to the close of the general session on Friday, I was glued to my computer listening to just about every general session that took place in Reno, Nev. Some voices I knew, and there were plenty that I didn't. There was so much to take in and so much to learn, from the history of how ACB got started from M.J. Schmitt, to what we are doing now and plan to do in the future.
Hearing interviews from our past presidents was interesting, eye-opening and informative. The resolutions, their amendments and the discussions and the "wordsmiths" were interesting too. Thankfully there weren't too many of them, but it's nice to know that someone is listening.
The Candidates' Forum Thursday evening was informative. All of the offices were not contested, just the office for treasurer. Personally, I would have taken the lawyer. I wish the new officers well and hope that we keep being an open and democratic organization.
I was glad when it finally was over, for I had to adjust my time from New York to Nevada time. Thank God for iPhone and world clocks. It was like watching a really good movie or reading a can't-put-it-down novel; I was glued and hated when I had to go and walk the dog or something like that. I only missed Wednesday, but was able to listen to it later thanks to reruns.
I only had one regret: I couldn't vote! With the ability to listen to what is happening at the very same time that it is going on, why can't those of us who couldn't attend the convention take part in the voting process? That is something for one of the committees to work on or think about for the future. I feel that you would get more participation and more members if they knew that they could take part even though they are sitting at their computers at home or work, etc.
I was told by Michael Golfo, who was one of the DKM first-timers, that the room was so big it took a few minutes to get from one side to the other. Marlaina and our president, along with Mike Godino and the others who chaired each morning's general session, were very professional and kept things moving. Well done, guys! From the sleep study, to how we are doing financially, nothing was boring! I may not have understood all of it, but I can say that I didn't want to miss a thing. All I can say is I wish I could have been there. I really enjoyed what I heard and cheered and shouted when I thought things weren't right because I didn't have to worry about someone saying "order!" Thanks for broadcasting the convention.