CLCA members ‘dove in’ for fun, education and networking during the association’s annual convention in Kona, Hawaii this past November.

Following in the footsteps of CLCA 2009 President Heath Bedal, CLCA members got their groove on. They enjoyed dinner on the beach following a sail boat cruise and watched as John Gachina presented a CLCA Life Membership to his best friend, Girvin Peters.

Keynote speaker Mikki Williams was very well received. Mikki helped members of the overflowing audience take stock of their lives in order to balance their futures. In two engaging sessions overflowing with personal stories that hit home with the audience, Mikki also offered five universal principles of motivation, ‘good,’ she guaranteed, ‘for all sorts of children, spouses and employees.’ The principles can be summarized as:

• Recognition
• Interesting work or projects
• Proper training
• Supportive management
• Social outlets

In her second presentation, Mikki used personality profiles to help audience members identify their behavioral styles and pintpoint ways they could become more effective and successful. ‘Understanding the differences that exist between people allows you to build on strengths, yours and theirs,’ she explained. ‘It identifies areas of interpersonal conflict so that you are alert to each opportunity to minimize problems, or avoid them entirely.’ Recognizing the value that Mikki provided, the audience responded with a standing ovation.

Following Mikki, members attended the annual General Membership Meeting (led by ’08 President Pete Dufau, CLT) and:

• Elected 2009 CLCA officers and directors
• Waived the bylaws to allow Chris Hill to continue to serve on the Board of Directors until his term expires in December 2008.
• Approved the annual three year plan.
• Waived the bylaws to allow Peter Grauert to become a Life Member.
• Discussed a proposal from the San Diego chapter to fund the updating of a document showing that CLCA is part of the San Diego’s water solution.
• Heard LEAF chair Mary Cohen describe a new program that allows CLCA members and others to donate to the scholarship-granting foundation in their wills.