The Trap is Sprung

While in Houston, we’d shared our email addresses, probably on some kind of sign in sheet. I confess again, my memory of these little details is a bit foggy after 15 years. Anyhow, Jerry began sending out email, as I recall, with things that needed to be accomplished. Along with these emails, Jerry began soliciting interest in running for the new Executive Committee that would be elected in Atlanta. Karla O. my friend from MCC Omaha was already on that EC.

I filled out the paperwork and resume that was requested, and brought those (along with the proper number of copies) to ATG. I was still undecided at that point, but I felt it would be good to at least have them available.

There are few things I remember about that ATG. I recall Scott and I stayed at a hotel near the church, and that in the middle of the night we were awakened by hotel security literally breaking down the door to the room next to us for some reason. I recall that there was also one heck of a party there one night. Neither Scott nor I are very nice when we are awakened in the middle of the night! And I recall having to walk from the hotel, crossing a bridge, to get to the church… and I recall this being an issue because just before we left for Atlanta, our new puppies had chewed my shoes! While there, we had to find a mall so I could buy a new pair of shoes… the shoes I’m currently wearing, if I’m not mistaken!

I remember being quite taken by the church itself. It was a beautiful facility, situated as it was, in an old theater. And of course, I recall being smitten by the wonderful, friendly people of that church! Trudie & Ray B. were there, and while we didn’t really interact too much that week, in the years ahead I was to become close to both. The mother of one of the two of them also came to the church, I believe it might have been Rays. I recall this because in a few years as I was being told who Ray was, I was reminded that he “was the one who was at ATG with his mother!”

And I recall Jerry R. finding out I had brought the application and resumes to run for the Executive Committee and trying to coerce me into running. “Don’t worry,” he said, “we just need to get x number on the committee.” I forget the number but if I recall it was 6. I would just be a regular member of the committee.

So, I ran. And so, I was elected (though I do believe there were far better persons who did NOT get elected). And that trap set by Jerry several months before in Houston was sprung!

Then we met, the Sacred Six, to set the officers. In short order all positions but one was filled… the Chair. And no one was qualified for it! I wasn’t because they wanted someone with 6 months experience, which of course I didn’t have. But, it seems that was the least reason for not being in the position. So it was that I, Eric Hays-Strom, became the Chair of the Executive Committee of Excel International de Colores, a position I would fill for, uh, quite a few years. Six, I believe!

As Chair, I traveled to Calgary, Canada – for ATG just a few weeks following 9/11 – I was on one of the first flights leaving Omaha after that horrible event; Colorado Springs, CO; Palm Springs, CA – for an Executive Committee meeting, and to assist with the re-inauguration of Excel of the Southland; and perhaps most exciting of all, a road trip, in the SPRING of 2001, to Monterrey, Mexico, to help with their first Excel team and to evaluate that team for membership in Excel International.