by Don Ely
February 2000
Written on the occasion of Freeland's
acceptance of the International Council's Distinguished Service
Award
Q: What attracted you to AECT when
you joined the national staff?
"I joined the AECT staff in October,
1976. AECT had just moved out of the NEA building into new
office space on 16th Street in Washington, DC. I immediately
senses that AECT was where I wanted to begin my association career.
The Association was growing as the influence of technology made
its impact on education. The AECT leaders were so dynamic
and the staff of 21 so talented."
Q: Can you share with us the single
most difficult part of the convention coordinator's job?
"The single most difficult part of
the job was disciplining myself not to work 18 hour days
and remembering I had a family to raise. The work was always
so rewarding I just didn't know when to quit. I felt I had
to work as hard as the Association's volunteers did. They
worked all day at their "real" jobs and then devoted their "spare"
time for convention program planning, Association committee work,
etc. I was fortunate to have a supportive family that understood
my devotion to the job and saw me through the busy times."
Q: What was there about the International
Division (now Council) that interested you and caused you to take
special care of our needs?
"It might have been that International
Division folks took "special care" of me during my early years
with the Association. People like Dick Cornell, Jenny Johnson,
Minaruth Galey, Don Ely, and Ron McBeath to name a few.
Their tireless devotion to AECT inspired me to help in anyway
I could to attain their goals. I was always inspired by
this Division's dedication to sharing educational technology to
Third World countries and nurturing bright young international
students."
Q: Can you remember a humorous incident
during any of the conventions?
"One of the most humorous incidents
was when I arrived at my first AECT convention at Miami Beach
in 1977. Fred Wherli and I arrived at the airport and were
told that a state host volunteer assigned to VIP arrivals would
be there to chauffeur us to the hotel. And, low and behold,
the famous Dick Cornell arrived sporting his full tennis attire,
complete with the sweat and wet brow! Truly, that was a memorable
sight!"
Q: What are you doing now?
"I am missing all of you! However,
I have moved on. Under the auspices of my husband's business,
Innovative Concepts/Solutions, I am now working as an independent
meeting planner. I am securing meeting space for associations
and small corporate accounts."
Thank you, Lois. You will be
missed in many ways beyond you usual competent professionalism.
Your smile, your caring, your "always available" for help will
always be remembered. Thank you, from all of us around the
World.
