Where I work

I am an association executive. As a child, did I think to myself -- gosh! I'm going to be an association executive when I grow up! Actually, no, but I could have.

Even as a young child, I used to play a game at parties given by my father for his college students; I would go through the party and try to learn the names of all of our guests. I would tell them that when I grew up, I would be a writer and a psychologist. (My godmother is a psychologist.) Later on, when I was myself of college-age, I would go through Latvian events and introduce myself to everyone there. Unknowingly, I was gaining a skill that I would need to be an association executive -- namely, the ability to learn a lot of people's names and be out there pressing the flesh. This skill helps the association members know a contact person, someone they can reach out to if they have a question or a need.

When I was studying for my Master's degree in Human Resource Development at George Washington, I believed that what I was studying would help me in my job at the Peace Corps at that time. I followed the sage advice of my supervisor at the time, Azzedine Downes, who let me know that any future steps up in my career would be enhanced by the Master's Degree. He was right, of course, but little did I suspect then that it was a road towards being an association executive.

Actually, the job I had at Peace Corps was also a perfect stepping stone to becoming an association executive. As Country Desk Officer, I was responsible for both representing the Volunteers and staff of each country to headquarters, and headquarters to the Volunteers and staff. As an association executive, I represent the office to our members, but also represent the members to the office and Board!

I cover mostly program aspects of the association world in what I do: education (professional development), membership and communications. I got the experience to take care of the professional development aspect of my job from my education at GW, and my job at Peace Corps being involved in the training of future volunteers. I got experience at supporting members from both Peace Corps, a job at the Poison Control Center, and by being an out-there people person. I stayed true to my childhood goals of writing and now have the chance to write all day long as I communicate my association's vision in messages to our membership!

You will love this!

I'm a Fellow!

Last weekend I became a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry. No, I'm not an optometrist, but rather an administrator for an association that provides optometric post-graduate education. Amazing education. Best in the world level education. Par excellence!

I'll upload photos of the incredible event as soon as I get them from Shelley.

It was a moment in my life that will follow me for a long time, as Joe Shovlin said to me before the ceremony. I was last in the line. The staff responsible for the lining up of the 150 fellows asked me if it was okay to put me last, since I might get some extra recognition from the audience. It was totally fine with me, as I was the one running the Powerpoint as the diplomates were recognized. Which was followed by the procession of 150 new Fellows. Me, at the end.

Each person that went up had a chance to say their name, what school they graduated from, and where they currently practice. As I got up to the microphone, Lois tells me that Past President Joe Yager started running across the front of the stage pumping his arms with a sign in his hands that read something like "Helen rocks!" or "Helen!Helen!Helen!". I just noticed that many people in the front two rows of this black-tie event erupted to their feet with more foam-core mounted signs in their hands that had the Academy's logo and a few different sayings like "We [heart] Helen." I couldn't be heard over the ruckus, so I affected the superstar pose and shouted into the microphone "I am Helen Viksnins of the American Academy of Optometry!" (I'm sure the sound guys loved that.)

I crossed the stage to President Rick Weisbarth who said "First the handshake for the camera and then the hug!" Then off the stage to collect my certificate folder, receive not only a sash that read "Madam AAO" but also a pink crown! And hug the staff and Board and Committee members that stood in a long receiving line. It was marvelous. The best reward for all of the good hard work I have done for the Academy.

Dragonfly

Visiting the Cannons in Birmingham

24 years ago I studied theater at SIUC and got a great friend called Cheryl Hall! I just had a lovely visit with her and her family in Birmingham. The pic is of their really cool house.

It used to be a frat house and is really quite lovely! I slept in Schuyler's room which was decorated with underwater themes with lots of girly things all throughout the room. The cats were jealous that I locked the door and I saw creepy little paws under the door!

Rainbows in the Water - I can't believe it!