Oct 19, 2009
Maureen Reeder promoted to Regional Executive Vice President
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| Maureen Reeder |
Eleven years ago, I wrote my first column for the MS Connection newsletter on my first day of work at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Minnesota Chapter. In that column, I said that, “It is with great joy and pride that I take on this new challenge. I am thrilled to work for something I truly believe in.”
I came to my position as president of the Minnesota Chapter with first-hand experience as a volunteer and fundraiser because my mom had MS. I held a deep appreciation for the many ways the MS Society had helped my family. And I expressed in that column that I had much to be thankful for as I began my first day of work.
Today I am writing my last column for the MS Connection. I have accepted a new position — with the MS Society — as the Regional Executive Vice President for eleven states in the Midwest. As I think about this change, I think about how little has changed in my feelings toward the MS Society. I still have much to be thankful for.
In my new job, I will continue to work with the terrific volunteers, fundraisers, and staff of the Minnesota Chapter and I get to work with even more folks from throughout the Midwest. I will still work on behalf of the thousands of people with MS here at our chapter and now throughout the region. The goal of this new structure is to foster collaborations and better sharing of resources so we can do a better job of providing needed services to people with MS and their families and find efficiencies to save money so we can put more funding toward critically important research.
Eleven years ago on my first day of work I wrote, “I am thankful for the chance to lead this great organization. I am thankful to the members of the MS Society Board who are giving me this once-in-a-lifetime chance to work for a cause I strongly believe in. I am thankful to the staff of the Minnesota Chapter for the help and support they’ve given me and my family for so many years. I am thankful to those of you who have MS for giving me this opportunity to serve you.”
These words still ring true as I transition to a new role and I can add that I am thankful my life has been enriched by the many people I’ve met as your president. There is one more thing I wrote on my first day at the MS Society that is still true, “I dedicated myself today and evermore to doing everything I can to help end the devastating effects of MS.”