*Note: The following is from our archived collection of older documents, and may not reflect the most current information.
August 2001
Dear Friends:
Suddenly, a short time ago, I realized that all those SLA tomorrows that I'd lived for over twenty-two years are about to become yesterdays. What a wonderful confection of memories that reality has created.
Perhaps one of the most amusing of these memories, was my first Annual SLA Conference. It was 1979. I had been informed that I was to be interviewed by the entire Association Board of Directors. I anticipated that several candidates received the same summons to Honolulu. Throughout the first days I kept anticipating that at least one other person was going through the same interview process. It did seem strange that I never ran into anyone who fit that description and all the same players were always on the scene. During this mating game, Past-President Vivian Hewitt, President Joseph Dagnese, Acting Executive Director Richard Griffin and I were sent off to have dinner in a restaurant at the
Hilton Hawaiian Village, the Conference site. Was this a test of my social skills, since it appeared that my professional expertise was acceptable? I was with SLA's "holy trinity", but who was with the other candidates? To my astonishment, I discovered that I was the only candidate and that I was to become the eleventh staff executive of your Association.
The memories from then on are my own personal magic show and I am deeply grateful and thankful for all that these years have given me. I can only acknowledge such a small number with my gratitude, but in doing this, I hope to, honor all the rest.
First, I give my thanks to the Membership. I treasure the friendships I have nurtured and value the opportunities I have been given by this unique group of individuals. I had the good fortune to serve with the best and brightest the profession has to offer. Your idealism has illuminated the best and softened the worst. Where else but at SLA could the old truths and the new ways be tested and agreement reached in harmony and accord? I have been given this pleasure over and over again by you, the members.
Next, I thank the Leadership. Leadership with a capital "L" includes, in my definition, the Association's Boards of Directors, chapter and division officers, committee chairs, representatives, caucus conveners and each of you who have been my partners. I have been given so much, but there are three lessons learned which I will always value most. The first was learning that the hard choices are not between right and wrong, but between two rights. The second was to perceive and then to treasure the importance of open-mindedness. And the third was becoming wary of adopting options before being certain you wanted to own or defend them. One cannot count how many meetings, conversations, events, appointments and even battles it took for me to learn these lessons, but I will be forever grateful that you allowed me to learn from each of you.
In conclusion, I thank our Staff. I am certain that anyone who accepts a leadership position expects to be rewarded by the satisfactions that come from making a contribution. But I wonder how many are wise enough to know in advance that friendship would be the best reward of all. My friendships with staff I treasure most of all. We have worked together for something that we cared about deeply, and we have together created a lasting legacy. The work has been serious and sometimes difficult but always full of companionship, compassion and humor. As time has moved forward there have been moments of reminiscence-some proud, some sad, some hilarious, some have even become the stuff of legend. But always, we accomplished our mission which was handed to us by the wonderful membership.
My gratitude inhabits a dimension where words lose their meaning. I wish I could name each of you who has played a role in this long and exciting joumey but just know that if you think that you would be included on the list, you are. Whatever I say is but a small expression of what is in my heart. And this expression of thanks carries with it a wish that your being a part of SLA will continue to be a wonderful adventure, just like the past years have been for me.
With much appreciation always,
David R. Bender, SLA Executive Director, 1979-2001
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