Letter from the Chair

Dear IP Section Member,

I hope you and yours are doing well. Summer is ending, school is starting again, and Fall is just around the corner.

On the topic of school, a few days ago I dropped off my oldest, a freshman, at college. The experience was bittersweet. On the one hand, I was excited about theopportunities and adventures ahead. On the other hand, I wondered where the last 18 years had gone, and where the last 33 years had gone, when I was a Freshman, moving into the Warren Apartments, at UC San Diego, and into my new life.

Transitioning from IP Section Chair, as my term ends on September 7, 2024, at the end of the CLA Annual Meeting, is less momentous, relative to the above transitions, but still bittersweet. I enjoyed leading the Section and thank you for your participation, engagement, and contributions, without which the Section could not succeed. I feel fortunate, with the help of my leadership team, to help progress my goals during my term: fostering member and community engagement, developing and deepening relationships with other Sections, and helping to ensure the efficient operation of the Section. Of course, there is more work to be done. In many respects, the last 12 months flew by, and I am sure that I am not the first and will not be the last IPSection Chair to note this.

What’s next? A new slate of IP Section leadership starts their term. As many may know, leadership in the IP Section is progressive, meaning that, for example, the Secretary/Treasurer in one term becomes the Vice Chair in the next, and so on. Our new leadership will be comprised of Jon Lurie (Chair), Leaf Williams (Vice Chair), and Jeff Smyth (Secretary/Treasurer). I have worked closely with Jon and Leaf this year, and Jeff is great as well. In addition, we have 5 fabulous new Executive Committee members starting their 3-year terms.

In September and throughout the Fall, you can expect more webinars, monthly Interest Group meetings, and Wellness Hikes. We are also actively planning in-person mixers for the Fall. Our next Annual IP Institute (Long Beach, March 6-8, 2025) has already been scheduled. Please be sure to mark your calendars.

Customarily, the immediate past Chair continues as an advisor to the new Chair for one year. I look forward to doing so and to continuing to serve as a resource for theSection.

Thank you.
John Pavolotsky
IP Section Chair