During my time as President of the Chiang Mai Expats Club, I have tried to be transparent with our members about both our successes and our challenges. Unfortunately, this week I must share some difficult news.
Over the past several months, my health has become increasingly complicated, made considerably worse as the result of a recent serious bout with the flu. After extensive consultations and testing it
has become clear that I have significant heart-related issues that require immediate treatment. At this point, the plan is for surgery in mid-July, followed by a second surgery at a later date. Hopefully that will be the end of it.
I am fortunate to be working with several highly skilled physicians, and I remain optimistic that everything will work out. However, the reality is my doctors have made it clear that I need to significantly reduce my activities and avoid all
unnecessary physical and emotional stress while we work through this. As a result, I must step back from most of my responsibilities with the Club and relinquish my role as President. My plan is to stay on the board and help out, as long as I can do it from home.
This is not a decision I ever wanted to make. The Chiang Mai Expats Club has been an important part of my life, and it has been an honor to help guide the organization through some very challenging times. What makes
it particularly difficult to step away from now is that it comes at a moment when the Club is stronger than it has been in many years. Our events are thriving, our finances are stable, our systems are functioning well, and we have successfully emerged from the disruptions caused by COVID. In many ways, we are standing at the peak of our recovery; the silver lining is at least whomever takes over will be coming into the best possible situation.
Unfortunately however, this
also comes at a particularly inopportune time. Normally someone from the Board would step up and take over and everything would be fine. The logical person in this case would be our other club officer, Rick Hahn, but his girlfriend’s health is also declining; so he is not in a position to step in. We have to respect that. There are two other members of the Board, but as with Rick neither one of them is in a position to take over.
So where does
that leave us? When an organization is run by a small group of people it creates a very vulnerable situation. I’ve talked about that before. When unanticipated things occur, such as has happened with me now, it often leads to a crisis. We’re seeing that first-hand. The reality is simple: no organization can continue indefinitely with the same small group of people guiding it. Turnover always happens, new leaders are always necessary, no organization can survive without
them. New leaders bring new energy and new ideas, which generally leads to stability and progress. I've said it before: a successful club depends on members who are willing to step forward and contribute some of their time, ideas, and energy. This is definitely one of those times.
Leadership does not require an overwhelming commitment, and that includes serving on the board. The board is one meeting a month (or less) and being involved in a minimum of
one area, for example Events, Expat Connection meetings, or the newsletter. It’s minimal, and when responsibilities are shared among enough people the workload is manageable, enjoyable, and often rewarding. It is an opportunity to meet people, build friendships, and help shape the future of a community that has provided value to so many of us.
The Club now faces an important choice. Either one or more members step up and take over or the only option left to us will be to
dissolve the club in the very near future. I know we faced this same situation about a year ago, and it wasn't pretty. I hope we can avoid it, but should it become necessary it will be done properly, transparently, and in full compliance with our Constitution and Bylaws.
The bottom line is the future of the Chiang Mai Expats Club is now in the hands of its members, but time is short. If you'd like to get involved, or if you would like to meet and discuss it first,
simply email me at [email protected], or Rick at [email protected]. I sincerely hope some of you will come forward, the Club has given a great deal to all of us over the years, now more than ever, it needs your help.
As always, thanks
for your support, and please be safe.
-Kent & Rick
