2The Board has requested that if anyone is interested in the position of Interim Great Lakes Regional Director, they should send notification to the Executive Office by February 15th along with a list of their qualifications.
Debbie Lopeman
After much thought and consideration, emails and phone calls encouraging me to do this I have decided to add my name to the list for the Interim Regional Director for the Great Lakes Region.
I have been a member of this region since 1990 when it was the North Central Region and have put on many shows including one Annual and am helping with the one that will be held in our region this year. I have been President, Vice President, Treasure and Secretary for the clubs I belonged to.
Yes I am a judge, but first and foremost I am a member of the Great Lakes Region. TICA and the cat fancy are very important to me and I would try very hard to represent the region in the best possible way I can.
Liz was correct in saying this isn't a popularity contest but an RD must be available to all the members and be approachable for everyone.
This is a huge responsibility and one that I would not take lightly.
Heather Lorimer
After a lot of thought, and a lot of people calling me, e-mailing me, and even IM-ing me, I have also decided to through my hat into the ring for Regional Director. I have been involved in TICA in this region for a long time, as have the other candidates, 10 years in my case (not as long as Debbie though!). I have clerked, been Club President, and a show manager.
I came from another association and truly appreciate all that is special about TICA, the spirit of friendship and fun, and a true desire to be helpful, and also TICA's commitment to exhibitors, all cats and cat fanciers, logic, fairness, and ..... genetics. It was pointed out to me that there is not a Geneticist on the board. In that regard I might be able to not only represent our region but also bring a different perspective to the board that might be useful to our association as a whole.
We have a great region that has become much more active over the last ten years. We have many talented people and beautiful cats in our region! We have been hitting a bit of a flat spot currently after struggling through several years of a dismal economy. We need to move forward using all of our talents, creativity, and love of cats to expand our association in our region.
I am a good listener, easy to reach by e-mail, and can typically be found at a show near you ;-)
If I am chosen I will do my best for the region, all its members, and for TICA.
In all honesty I think all of the candidates are good choices, we each have something unique to give.
Chris Unangst
This is my official notice adding my name to the list for Great Lakes Interim Regional Director. After much consideration I know I can represent the region as a whole.
Like I stated in my other note, I know I have been in the region for only 2 years, but it is now my home and where my loyalty lies. I know what is involved in being regional director; from being diplomatic and working with the members, to doing what is best for the region and TICA as a whole, to organizing our awards banquet.
I have been in TICA for over 23 years and feel I have the experience and background to be able to serve the region.
Additionally, I have been a judge for just over 10 years now and am still an active exhibitor. I understand what it's like on both sides of the judging table. You have seen me at regional shows where I was not judging still supporting the shows and the region with entries or clerking. I believe that the regional director needs to be available at our shows to understand the region's needs. There is more to the job than just attending the Board meetings.
I have been putting on shows since 1992. While they have been shows in many other regions, those were my home regions at the time. Since moving to the Great Lakes I have been involved with at least three regional clubs actively hosting shows. I have served as an officer of many clubs as well and am always willing to lend a hand where needed.
We do have some great people to choose from for our Interim Regional Director. No matter who is selected, we will stay united as a Region and have fun the way Christian showed us to do these past 7 years.
Mike Vasquez
I would like to thank Liz for her post. It has had me thinking, to the point that I feel comfortable officially putting my name in the straw poll for Interim GL Regional Director.
I would like to start out with the comment that was made about a popularity contest. I partially agree with that statement. However, how a person is able to deal with others, and come across as being open minded and fair, is a very important part of being a regional director. I believe my dealings with people over the years show that I am easy to talk to. If being approachable makes me popular, that's fine with me. I would like to thank the members who have sent letters of encouragement, both private and public, and pointed out characteristics that make me suitable for the job.
As many of you know, I have been involved in the cat fancy for many years, as an exhibitor, a member, and putting on shows in the Great Lakes.
I have seen first hand how much time is involved in doing the job in a way that keeps the region intact - and growing. I have learned many things from sitting in many open sessions of TICA's board meetings over the last 7 years. I have also seen the interactions of board members in the 'after meetings' and how they affect the decision making process. In other words, I am very familiar with the job, and its requirements.
Besides the time I have spend building my knowledge in the cat fancy, I have also been involved in my union at work. I was elected steward at my station, which is the biggest in Northwest Ohio. While I have been steward, I have had to fight uphill against the large establishment for our rights. This is not very different from some of the responsibilities as a board member. Because of the work I have done as steward,I have also been appointed to handle branch level grievances.
I believe my experience in my union will also help me in my dealings as regional director. Being able to handle myself in many different situations in a professional manner is part of what both jobs entail. My union position requires researching, building, and sometimes arguing my case to upper management. I am proud to say that in the 3 years I have been steward, I have only lost one case I have filed.
