
	The Willamette Galley A Bi-Monthly Newsletter Volume 5, Issue 1, January 2002

Region 7 Director-Sponsor Candidate Offers Support

By Rahel Bailie

In anticipation of running for Director-Sponsor, I recently polled some Region 7 volunteers to find out what they wanted from a Director-Sponsor. Support was the answer. Specifically, they want the type of support that will enable them to excel at developing their chapters, without re-inventing the wheel. One person mentioned mentoring, another coaching, another managing.

One typical STC volunteer who has definite opinions about what he wants in a Director-Sponsor is our local president. He is a high-achiever. He works full out at his job, teaches in local TechComm programs, and still finds time to play a role in the local STC chapter. What he wants is a Director-Sponsor who will digest Board instructions and remind him of scheduled tasks, who will look at his leadership and make suggestions, who will help him bypass the known pitfalls and get on with business, who will help navigate awkward situations. In other words, what my president wants--and the others I spoke with--is a leader.

The role of Director-Sponsor, as the liaison between the international STC board and chapter leaders, is very much focused on leadership. Each person who takes on that role does so with a distinctive style. I've interacted with three Region 7 Director-Sponsors now, and they were all delightful in their own way, each bringing a unique skill set and style to Region 7 chapters. It's natural to wonder what style I will bring to the position of Region 7 Director-Sponsor. What I can tell you is that my management style has evolved, through the years, to focus on developing team excellence, fostering professional growth, and helping individuals reach their full potential. In other words, I can bring my own style of leadership to this position.

Specifically, what I can bring to the Director-Sponsor position begins with the following ideas. Because I'm a big fan of not re-inventing the wheel, I would like to create a "Best Practices" manual--more likely a Web site--as a resource that Region 7 chapter leaders and volunteers could use to make chapter administration easier. I'd also like to expand the Director-Sponsor Web site to include resources recommended by chapter leaders. I would like to set up a regional listserv for Region 7 volunteers to share ideas, discuss issues, and brainstorm solutions. I'd also like to use my academic credentials in volunteer management by offering leadership training to those volunteers who would like to accomplish more but expend less effort, or who want to get more out of their volunteer experience.

I've been researching the activities of Region 7 chapters by visiting chapter Web sites, and must say I am very impressed by the many ideas implemented in chapters across the region. There is great potential in our region, and I would like to showcase that potential to its best advantage. My hope is that my approach to the Region 7 Director-Sponsor position will merit your vote in the upcoming election, so that I may have the opportunity to show you what I can do for our region.

Rahel Bailie is a senior member of STC from the Canada West Coast chapter, and has been an active volunteer since 1990. She currently serves as Conference Manager for the 2002 Region 7 conference. Rahel also holds a certificate in Voluntary and Non-Profit Sector Management and has several years of management experience. For her complete bio, visit www.bailie.com/RahelBailieBio.htm. You can reach Rahel at rabaile@telus.net.