The election is over, and we’re heading into a new year with a something old and something new board of directors. (If I could figure out how to fit something borrowed and something blue in there, this would all segue nicely with my current theory on how a book business is like a marriage. But that’s a column for another time.)
Some board members are returning in new roles: Maria Bustillos served as membership/public relations chair last year, and is now Vice President; Greg Williams was finance chair and is now stepping into the role of Treasurer; and Jean McKenna, who served as education chair, is one of our Members-at-Large. I just adore these folks, and I think they’re all going to be fabulous.
Alyce Cresap is returning as Member-at-Large and Internet Operations chair, much to my great relief. She’s an incredibly reliable worker, and most important to me, no matter how scatter-brained I get, she manages to poke, prod and nag me back on track. Honestly, I would never have made it through last year without her help.
In the something new category, I am thrilled to welcome Aimee England, Forrest Proper and Angela Thorpe to the board.
Aimee will be serving as secretary. You know the old saying, that if you want something done, give it to busy person. Aimee’s a busy person, active in both her bookstore and her community. She sometimes shares her schedule, and I get exhausted just reading it, but she’s got the energy to be out there going day in and day out. I’m just tickled pink that IOBA is getting some of that energy.
And then there’s Forrest. I used to be so intimidated by Forrest. First off, he’s got that name: Forest Proper, Joslin Hall Rare Books. Can anything sound more prim and stuffy and, well, “proper” than that? Then he’s got that whole ABAA thing and the books to die for and he’s in Concord, Massachusetts, home of Thoreau, Emerson and all those guys I worshipped in college. The whole thing screamed intimidating. Fortunately, the truth is Forrest is not a prim and stuffy old academic in an ivory tower. He is extremely intelligent, knowledgeable and professional, and the big bonus is he’s got a wicked sense of humor. We’ll need all those qualities this year.
Angela is a “newbie” to IOBA, and I look forward to getting to know her. I already like her spirit! It takes guts to jump into something like this, just like it took guts for her to jump into bookselling full-time. I am sure she will bring energy and derring-do to IOBA.
I think this will be a great board, and I’m very pleased that I get to be a part of it.
I also want to thank our departing board members. Jerry, David, Sally, Anne and Chris, I am so very grateful for all your contributions. You managed to put up with a president for whom “organization” is a four-letter word. You spoke your minds and debated the issues intelligently and civilly. You gave your time and your energy, and you believed in IOBA and its mission. Thank you.
Julie Fauble, President