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President’s Corner – January 2009

From Bayou to Blue Ribbon Panel: My personal observation of the IABC network in action
By Tom Roux, IABC-Yankee Chapter President

I’ve often heard great stories of how belonging to IABC opens doors to many new opportunities— Yankee Past President Dave Seifert, ABC can trace every dollar he’s earned since becoming an independent to an IABC connection—but I never imagined I’d have my own remarkable tale to share …until now, that is. After months of dedicated participation in IABC activities, I was recently invited to be a judge on the 2009 Gold Quill Blue Ribbon Panel that will convene in March in San Francisco to make the final selections for IABC’s highest recognition of professional excellence.

My tale begins on a sweltering, humid morning in New Orleans, Louisiana, back in June 2007. I had volunteered to participate in the two-day Habitat for Humanity service project organized by IABC staff as a prelude to the 2007 International Conference being hosted in New Orleans. I remember thinking, “What a great way to get to know other attendees while giving a little something back to the community,” part of which had been devastated by Hurricane Katrina the prior year.

There I was, one of the “roofing crew” hammering shingles onto a new house being built in the Lower Ninth Ward, toiling away in the summer heat next to several other of the 200 volunteers that had signed up for the project. It’s remarkable how easy it is to get to know other like-minded communicators when sharing sunscreen and sweating bullets, all for a good cause. As it turns out, one of those sweaty (just a little bit) communicators was Todd Hattori, ABC, who was soon to become the chair of the IABC International Executive Board (IEB) later that week.

I became friends with Todd, and many other great people, because of that wonderfully bonding experience. It was like running into an old war buddy every time I’d cross paths with another volunteer throughout the conference. Months later, I still share familiar exchanges with many of those folks whenever I see them at IABC events. In fact, I’m often greeted with hugs instead of handshakes.

Let’s fast forward to the 2008 International Conference in New York City, New York. I was incoming president of the Yankee Chapter and four months into a job search, so I saw the conference as a major networking opportunity on multiple levels (not to mention, a great way to learn some new best practices, reconnect with old friends, and blow off a little steam). Todd Hattori had given me the names of a couple of key attendees whom I should try to meet to aid my networking.

After attending the preconference leaders’ reception on Saturday, a group of us spontaneously decided to have dinner together (as often happens at such occasions). After some quick negotiating by Barbara Gibson, ABC, current chair of the IEB (another great person I’d come to know over the past year), we managed to get immediate seating for eight or nine people at a very busy upscale place in the meat-packing district.

Well who should I find myself seated next to, but Paul Matalucci, ABC, who was at the top of my networking list? What luck! In my excitement, I turned to Todd and exclaimed across the table, “It’s Paul!” Paul and I discovered that we share a good deal in common, both having studied creative writing in college and having employee communication as our professional area of focus.
I ran into Paul several more times throughout the conference (as often happens at such occasions), and we developed a stronger rapport each time we talked. I learned that Paul would be chairing the 2009 Gold Quill Awards, and at the end of the 2008 Gold Quill Banquet I offered him my help, both on behalf of my chapter and individually.

As it turns out, Paul remembered me, and my offer, when it came time for the committee to choose the 40 or so senior communicators from around the world who were invited to make up the prestigious Blue Ribbon Panel. After clarifying with Paul that I was, in fact, the correct “Tom” meant to receive the invitation, I was both flattered and humbled to accept it. Serving on the panel, I understand, requires many hours of mental flexing, but has also been reported by past judges as “a highlight of their experience with IABC.” I heartily look forward to the new insights I will gain and the new relationships I will make in San Francisco in March.

Were it not for my decisions to volunteer, to get involved in chapter leadership, to attend IABC conferences and events, to be unafraid to meet other communicators, and to not only ask for but also offer help when needed, I would not have found myself in the right place at the right time.

The IABC network really does work; but only if you choose to invest yourself in it.