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Vice President’s Notes
Jane Duralia
National Office Notes
John Hames
My personal thanks to all who worked d iligently
to make 2011 National Conference in Rochester a
most enjoyable and education event. While in area, we explored
Niagara-on-the-Lake and found s everal exceptional
wines and such pleasant people along the way. The Culinary
School presents an excellent menu, which we t horoughly
enjoyed.
Redefining the role of the Regional Vice President
(RVP) has been on “my plate” for the past two years.
How can we possibly expect a different outcome when
we keep doing the same thing in the same way? No
plan = no action = no prog ress! I am read y to move
forward…are you?
The key areas of responsibility for our RVPs are:
‣Starting new self-governing chapters
‣Promoting the AWS to expand recognition of our group
and enhance our image
‣Serving as a resource person for educa tional/specialty
programs for chapter use through local resources and/or
winery contacts and distributors.
As you can se e, these responsibilities are neither intimidating
nor undoable. Yet year after year the same people take
the same job because “no one el se will.” History de monstrates
that, on the whole, regional elections have not been
effective in changing this mindset.
I have develo ped a one year pilot progr am that was approved
by the Exe cutive Advisory Board at their 2011 Conference
meeting. The program is scheduled to be in place by
the end of the first quarter of 2012 (March). New regions will
be defined with input from the pilot program committee, the
“volunteer RVPs” and the National Office. Every area deserves
representation and a regional support system, so we
will examine the population density in all parts of the country.
Some regions may span several states and some states
may have multiple regions. The electronic age has br oadened
our horizons and enhanced our communication capabilities.
Each region is unique, so no single formula or agenda
will work in all places.
I have spoken with many current RVPs and they support this
pilot program. Some may t ake this opportunity to resign
after serving faithfully and tirelessly for many years; others
may decide to join the new wave. We have enthusiastic people
coming forward wanting to serve as volunteer RVPs, but
we still need more.
All who are inter ested in becoming a volunteer RVP are
asked to present a “ letter of interest.” Current R VPs also
need to submit a “letter of interest.” We are evolving into a
professional society of acti on and mer it, and we need to
move forward with decisive direction and suppor tive
strength.
If you want to take a leadership role in the exciting wave of
opportunities for AWS, I want to hear fro m you. S end a
“letter of inter est” of 5 00 words or less, stating why you
want to be an RVP for your region and what you intend to do
to meet the key points of responsibility.
Include both personal as well as busin ess
attributes. Each letter will be carefully reviewed
and responded to.
Now that t he 2011 Conference is just a ple asant
memory, the N ational Office can r e-focus our efforts
on other areas to gro w and add value to AWS . Here’s
what we’re working on…
‣Updated website—We started working on this a co uple
months ago b ut had to put it on the back burner du e to
conference activity. It’s time to get it done.
‣Go back to quarterly issues of the AWS Wine Journal—This
is our goal for 2012 but it has to be done i n a “budget
neutral” fashion, meaning no additional cost to AWS. In
order to do this, we ne ed to get mo re advertisers. Th is
will be a priority in the next couple months.
‣Add more Pro fessional Members—We will be making an
effort to conta ct and add many more Professi onal Members
in 2012. AWS has a lot to offer wineries and o ther
organizations in the wi ne business. W e need to get t he
word out so they know about us and se e the ben efits of
joining AWS as a Professional Member.
‣AWS Merchandise for sale t o members—We need to ha ve
shirts, hats, and other items that members can buy to
proudly show they are part of AWS. We used to offer these
in the past but got away from it. We will be adding this
back during 2012.
That’s just a sample of what’s coming up in 2012.
Happy holidays to all AWS members. Enjoy the holidays with
your friends and family, good food and good wine, and get
ready for another exciting year for the American Wine
Society in 2012!
John Hames
ExecutiveDirector@AmericanWineSociety.org
888-297-9070
New Board Members Elected
Congratulations to the two new members of the AWS Board of
Directors:
Walt Rachele—Treasurer
David Falcheck—Director of
Membership Services
They will begin their terms of
office on January 1, 2012. Thanks
to retiring treasurer Sam Streiff
and Director Nick Yankanich.
Email the le tters to me at jane.duralia@gmail.com, or mail
them to 6136 Pl antation Pointe Dr., Granite Falls, NC 28630.
Call (828-396-1601) or email me if you have questions or want
more information.
AWS members are a wea lth of untapped talent and I am tapping
on your door. Will you answer the call?
Jane Duralia
Jane.Duralia@gmail.com
828-386-1601
AWS News—December 2011
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