Page 16 - WBG June 2023

FEATURE and driving 1,300 miles to Denver Investigators Conference when the There you have a bit of history of how
current Executive Director resigned.
at my own expense until I could get
WAD got to where it is today. It hasn’t
As I walked back into the Board room,
been easy. It’s taken a lot of effort
reimbursed months later. I hired a
I knew something was going on and
part time assistant at my expense to
and dedication by many people. Not
everyone has agreed with me over
help get everything back in order and
it wasn’t good. The Executive Director
the years, nor have I agreed with
start collecting significant past due
had just finished scolding the Board.
There was a discussion for about 15
them. Yet, we manage to move on
dues payments. We started accepting
and remain friends. Like a family, there
minutes when President Rashid Ali
credit cards for the first time.
but at the end of the day we go out
I organized a fund raiser, a roast
Bob, can you help us?”. I was very
honoring Past President Hal Lipset Malik turned to me and said “well are arguments and disagreements,
to dinners together and share a
much caught off guard, but I offered
in Las Vegas in October 1997. We to put a proposal together for the cocktail or two. My preference is that
had over 100 people in attendance Board to review. we always get along, but as with
and some generous members most families that’s easier said than
donated several thousand dollars to This is when I developed the Executive done. I have made some of the best
help WAD get through the next few Management Team Concept. I knew friends in WAD that I have ever had in
months. Sadly, just a few weeks later, doing everything by myself and with my life.
Hal passed away in San Francisco. my staff again we be a stress on my
What a fun evening this was, and own business. Basically, I became the I have flown to countless locations
little did we know it would be our last Executive Director and Association to attend weddings, anniversary
time to see Hal. In December I was Manager, Rockne Cooke became the celebrations, birthday parties, and
able to take my first check for $2,000, New Applicant Manager, Siti Naidu funerals of my friends in WAD. The
but most of that went to paying became the Print Communications past 40 years in this association
my assistant. By our 1998 Midterm Manager and Editor, and Christine have helped make me the person
Meeting in San Remo, Italy, we had Vinson became the Technology I am today. I wouldn’t give any of it
built up our bank account, recruited Manager. A few years later Chuck up for anything. I have been proud
over 60 new members, and gotten McLaughlin took over the position to support and encourage younger
many past due members to renew. of Technology Manager. The Board members to run for the Board and
I think the Board of Directors took reviewed and quickly accepted the eventually run for office. I am here
pity on me and they offered me a proposal and as of April 1, 2010 the for them to offer advice and opinions
significant raise. Executive Management Team went when asked. Naturally, not everyone
to work. agrees with my opinion.
By early 2000 before we met in the
Canary Islands for our Midterm, I Once again we had a financial Now we look forward to some
let the Board know that I would be problem to resolve. We had about wonderful upcoming events. Our
resigning as Executive Director at the 650 members, but over 300 were still 98th Annual Conference will be in
Annual Conference in Kuala Lumpur. unpaid for 2010. Within 3 months we Vancouver this October. Our 2024
A search took place and candidates had most of those members paid and Midterm Meeting will be in Panama
were interviewed at the Midterm. several new applicants as a result of City, Panama next April. Our 99th
Past President Richard Jacques the World Investigators Conference. Annual Conference will be in Kuala
Turner was selected as the new Our bank account was healthy Lumpur, Malaysia in September 2024.
Executive Director beginning in again. Gradually, over the next 5 Our 2025 Midterm Meeting will be in
2001 after a brief transition period. years, we were able to add about Lisbon, Portugal in April 2025, and the
When we got Richard we also got 200 additional members. and by biggest celebration of them all will be
his wife and member Maureen. 2018 we stood at over 950 total our 100th Centennial Celebration in
Together they did a fantastic job and members. It seems as close as we late 2025. If you have never attended
WAD rolled along smoothly until get to 1,000, we just haven’t a WAD meeting, put one or more of
late 2005 when Richard submitted reached that magical number. these on your calendar and start
his resignation to begin enjoying his Perhaps we’ll do it by our Centennial meeting new friends and business
retirement years. in 2025. The EMT concept has worked colleagues.
well these past 13 years since it was
Between the end of 2005 after Las implemented. Finally, I would like to thank the Board
Vegas and the Midterm Meeting of Directors for the honor they placed
in Dallas in March 2010 we went Of course our success would not on me at our 2023 Midterm Meeting
through 3 different Executive be possible without Carolyn Ward in Prague, Czech Republic. Being
Directors who lasted 12 to 18 months agreeing to be our Administrative selected as a President Emeritus is the
each. It was at the Board Meeting Manager until 2015 when she retired, honor of a lifetime. I was humbled by
in Dallas when I stepped away to and the addition of Karen Beers as the announcement by Chairman Alex
set up the WAD booth at the World her successor. Solomanidin. Thank you to my WAD
family.
14 W.A.D Beyond Global