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October 2020 HBB President Update

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b2ap3_thumbnail_a-better-world.pngCalled for a Better World - Photo by Lisa Anselme

October 2020 President Monthly Ezine
 
"Leaders are called to stand in that lonely place between the no longer and the not yet and intentionally make decisions that will bind, forge, move, and create history. We are not called to be popular; we are not called to be safe; we are not called to follow - we are the ones to take risks. We are the ones called to change attitudes, to risk displeasures. We are the ones called to gamble our lives for a better world." Mary Lou Anderson
 
This week, I am taking part in the National Hartford Center for Gerontological Nursing Excellence Leadership Conference. It's something I do every year, though this year it is a virtual experience, kind of like our own conference. What's similar is the mechanics of it in terms of navigating the conference platform, viewing pre-recorded presentations, and connecting to live sessions with some of the speakers. It's also similar in that attendees represent a group of compassionate individuals who truly care and are leading with their hearts.
 
Our own conference exceeded expectations. It was thrilling to have over 500 people from around the world engaged in the offerings this year. Hearing from folks each morning during my live coffee break and meditation was a highlight of each day for me. I heard about what you were doing as part of the conference as well as what you were doing in your daily lives. Our conference created new ways of connecting and gave us great ideas for how we might do things going forward.
 
And, I think, it inspired leadership. It showed many of us what is possible in ways we had not envisioned just months ago. It fed our soul and gave us courage and creativity to meet the days ahead, both for ourselves and for our Healing Touch community. I'm grateful for the leadership of our community in charting a path to holism and wholeness for ourselves and others. We lead just by being ourselves.
 
For example, practitioners and instructors are creating online discussion and practice groups as ways of checking in, gathering in meditation, discussion of techniques and clinical practice, and book groups on topics related to healing and equity, to name a few. You can find listings of these groups in the directory on our website. If you're a practitioner or instructor who's hosting such a group or would like to do so, please list the information on our website so that others may join you.
 
As with any organization, we have formal leadership roles and transitions of those roles. This year, we had two members of the Board of Directors whose terms ended: Maureen Kowba and Deb Goldberg. Both provided heart-centered, steadfast service to the organization during their time on the Board of Directors. I am grateful to have worked with them during their tenure on the board.
 
To fill these positions, we solicited nominations as in years past. Unfortunately, the number of nominations received was minimal. We understand that the call came at the beginning of the pandemic during a time of uncertainty, much of which still continues. That uncertainty may have made it challenging for some to put forward their nomination.
 
However, the Nominating Committee reviewed all of the nominations submitted and two candidates rose to the top. Given that we arrived at only two candidates and had two vacancies to fill, an election was not feasible. Therefore, the Board of Directors voted to appoint both of these candidates to initial terms on the Board as per our organizational bylaws.
 
I am pleased to announce the appointment of Wilma Bijl, CHTP, CHTI, and Christa Voorn, CHTP, both in the Netherlands, to the Healing Beyond Borders Board of Directors. Both have experience working on teams using consensus models of leadership. They are both excited to assist in international expansion with closer involvement, outreach, and connection with the international community. Wilma has a keen interest in expanding Healing Touch throughout Europe, while Christa is focused on biofield research opportunities for Healing Touch to increase awareness of our evidence-based results among the healing professions. Their presence will expand the international representation on our Board, bringing European representation to our board for the first time. Their terms began with our virtual conference on October 1, 2020.
 
This year also was meant to mark the end of my time in the role of president. However, given current events and to maintain continuity during a time of accelerated change, I have agreed to remain in my current role for an additional year. This decision was approved by the Board. I look forward to passing the light to our next president at our 25th anniversary conference in 2021.
 
Sincerely,
Joel G. Anderson, PhD, CHTP, FGSA
President, Healing Beyond Borders

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