Last night I was sitting at my desk going through what seemed like a "never-ending" stack of business travel itineraries planned for the next three months and I came upon a flight schedule that will take me to Rotterdam, the Netherlands in mid-October. This will be the site of the EAME conference as well as the Worldwide FCSI Board meeting - both of which I'll attend on behalf of The Americas Division. I smiled and my thoughts went back many years ago to the early 1970's when the idea of FCSI Divisions around the world had not been hatched! We had a singular Board in those days, and that entity governed all of our members. As a member of the Board, and later, a Society President in the early 80's, I came to not only respect our members in Europe and Asia/Australia (there were just a few in those days), but we became very close friends who have worked with one another (and enjoyed more than a beer or two together as well over the years). I became literally part of their families which gave me great joy. Many of these fine consultants and friends went on to be elected to the Council of Fellows i.e. Bruno Briuio, Tassos Kioulpapas, Nicholas Elshof, and one of my dearest friends - the late Leif Torne from Sweden, as well as many, many others. 

So... I thought about the comradery, the laughter, the learning between one another that has taken place, and most of all the caring attitude and willingness to do anything we could do to help old friends. I then laughed to myself and shed a tear or two for my old Society friends who have passed... they were the best - but then again, I think all of our members are the best because we care about one another and, although we sometimes have differences of opinion, we will always support and provide for our Society brothers and sisters worldwide. 

So...the next time someone asks why are you going to an FCSI conference outside of North America and/or how did you come to know and respect many of our worldwide consulting colleagues, remember one thing... the world is bigger than just one continent and the joys of learning, of listening to, drinking and eating with, and laughing together with our worldwide members is a joy that I forever will cherish. When I think about the fact that I have as many Society friends in Europe, the Middle East and Asia as I do in the Americas, I reflect on how lucky I have been in my life and how FCSI Worldwide, has so greatly impacted my life in positive ways. So, in closing, if you will consider heading to Rotterdam and our FCSI EAME Conference, I'll meet you at the reception bar with a drink in hand and a bunch of great Society comrades ready to meet you - and we'll talk, laugh, have fun and learn from one another! That's what life is all about!

My best regards to all!

  

William J. Caruso, FFCSI (PP)

Chair - The Americas Division