Traditionally the Michigan State University Business Women’s Association would end the year with a Changing of the Guard ceremony. The event would include thanking the current year’s officers and installing the new officers for the upcoming year. On June 11, 2009, MSUBWA ended the year by celebrating 85 years and a farewell celebration. The event was attended by 44 current and past members, past presidents, retirees and guests. The festivities began with a welcome and invocation with special thanks to The Guard Committee: Cindy Lou Martin, Trisha Bradford, Cheryl Luick and Terri Janson. Deb Bittner, the Clerical Technical Union President was welcomed as a special guest, followed by a good ole’ fashion American Harvest Buffet. Trisha Bradford started the ceremony with lighting of the candles and a tribute to the membership. Past presidents were given a red rose, retirees white carnations and all members and guests received pink carnations. Barb Heyser, the 2008-2009 President, recognized committee chairs, board members and thanked the membership for their service. Barb shared a brief history of the MSUBWA beginning with its establishment in 1924. Parliamentarian, Chris Schafer presented Barb Heyser with a gift from the membership with thanks for leading and serving MSUBWA for the last two years. In closing, Mistress of Ceremonies and Chair of The Guard committee, Cindy Lou Martin closed the event in celebration by sharing a motivational message written by Jaroldeen Edwards, The Daffodil Principal. “The principle, the daffodil garden teaches us, is one of the greatest principles of celebration:
- learning to move toward our goals and desires one step at a time, (often just one baby-step at a time)
- learning to love the doing
- learning to use the accumulation of time”.
For more on this principal, you can Google “The Daffodil Principal” for a variety of postings. Each officer proceeded to extinguish their candles in honor of their service and closing of the association. As the last candle’s flame was blown out, Cindy Lou challenged the group to remember that happiness and success is a journey, not a destination. To depart with no regrets and to move forward by planting new seeds rather than saying goodbye, but by saying hello to new adventures. Each person left with a spring bulb to plant.
For any member who wishes to stay in contact, please contact Christine Kay @ kaye@msu.edu or 517-432-8344.
If you have any photos, memories or suggestions that you would like included in a book of history please contact Barb Heyser @ heyser@msu.edu or 517-355-8520 by July 30th.
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- Nancy Smock
