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ON THE ROAD Recently I spent a few days visiting our NW Florida Affiliate. What a wonderful trip! In between speaking at their continuing education meeting, visiting police and fire chiefs and "popping in " to fire stations, I was treated to a night at the 5 Flags Raceway, a BBQ and the best Chinese buffet I've ever had. The hospitality shown by Tommy and Kat Carter and all the TIP Volunteers was incredible. They arranged for me to have a condo on the beach (no, no oil) and a car. But more importantly was their warm welcoming attitude. I came away from my trip knowing that our affiliate in NW Florida is strong and is providing excellent TIP services in the area. I can assure all our affiliates and board members that our NW Florida Affiliate is maintaining TIP's high standards and has a very positive reputation in the Panhandle. I met chiefs and visited fire stations. Everyone I met was very positive and enthusiastic about TIP. We can all be proud indeed of our "southern" TIP friends. I was most impressed with how much this affiliate is doing with so little. Incredibly, our NW Florida Affiliate serves 3 far flung counties with a very small budget and on a totally volunteer basis. There are 3 managers — none of whom is paid. This is not our only "all volunteer" TIP affiliate, and I came away with a renewed appreciation of all of our affiliates with no paid staff as well as with an appreciation of how much a small group of committed volunteers can do. Of course, behind every TIP affiliate is an effective leader. Our NW Florida Affiliate is no exception. Tommy Carter enjoys the respect and affection of all TIP volunteers there. He is clearly committed to the TIP mission. He is humble, and he doesn't ask his volunteers to do anything he doesn't do himself. Working with Tommy are 2 Crisis Team Managers, Laurie Ford and Brenda Cadenhead. Both are very committed to TIP, and both oversee top notch teams in their respective counties. Tommy, Laurie and Brenda will be at our Annual Meeting in September. I thank all of our TIP members in NW Florida for making my trip memorable and for showing me their very fine TIP affiliate up close.
Wayne Fortin |
