WZ-President’s Report- Karen Thompson

When I was invited to serve on the Board of Directors of Western Zone,

 I was asked to submit a resume. All I could think of is that it was over 40

years since I had to write about myself. What was I going to say? For this article, I looked at that document to help me. I want you to get to know me as one of your teammates. My goal is to be in service o our professional community in any capacity where my skill set matches the needs of the Western Zone and aligns with the mission of WZ.

Being elected as the new President of WZ has been such a grace. I have such deep affection and appreciation for the leadership that inspire

achievement and mission alignment. Western Zone is THE largest. group in RENY! Our leaders and the deep commitment of the units within the Zone have created this. Thank you. We have a strong

foundation to build upon.

How did I arrive at WZ? Michelle Claus came to an ENCRTA meeting and happened to sit next to me. We became fast friends.

What is my background and what skills have I acquired to be in service to this group? I taught elementary and high school levels over a 39-year

career. As a coach I was blessed to work with hundreds of student athletes at all levels for 20 plus years. As a union member, I had a few leadership roles as co-chair of health and safety for both the district and the union. I served on the negotiating team from 1985 until retirement in 2019. In 2016, I received the NYSUT Leadership award for our zone. I

was invited to be the elementary math council facilitator for member schools in Niagara Orleans BOCES for five years.

One of my most wonderful professional experiences was when I had the opportunity, as one of 43 teachers from the US, to be ambassadors to the Educators of Barcelona, Spain for their first International Education Symposium. What a gift that was! It was humbling and inspiring! I had the opportunity to take the Dale Carnegie Class and then serve as a graduate assistant to help others to develop their communication skills. From this, I had the opportunity to coach young people for interviewing for scholarships and to assist our academic leaders in delivering the valedictory speeches. On Saturdays, I worked with trainers to co-teach the Junior Achievement group.

In 1990, I bought a flower and gift shop, Rainbow Connection. I had wonderful employees, gifted designers and for 10 years a wonderful team to support our community through the highs and lows of life (weddings, proms, graduations, holidays and funerals, etc.). It was my team of people that were the heart and soul of our business. We played and worked together for 10 years.

I married John Thompson in 2019. We live in Getzville where we have a Cavapoo dog named Arizona. John retired as an investigator for the Food and Drug Administration specializing in prescription drugs and medical devices. He has saved many lives through his thorough work. He couldwrite a book!

Currently, I serve as the Unitarian Universalist Church of Amherst representative to the Board of Governors to the multi-faith organization, The Network of Religious Communities, in Buffalo. It is the oldest such organization in the country. During these challenging times, with varying beliefs, it is so amazing when differences are put aside for the

betterment of all.

I am a licensed Avatar Master since 2003. I work with an international team delivering a nine-day personal empowerment course. Avatar awakens you to a natural ability you already have to create and

discreate beliefs. With this skill, you can restructure your life according to the blueprint that you determine.

For fun, I love to play games, cook, entertain, travel, fly ultralights, and be with my friends. I have visited 12 countries. I love other cultures and the

richness they bring to those whose lives they touch. 

The most important thing you need to know is how inspired I am by the WZ leadership team. Did you know we have members who are also on the State’s leadership team? Michelle Claus, our past president, is now the Membership Vice President for RENY. Judy Farmer is the Senior Vice President of RENY after serving as the state Nominations VP and past Secretary of RENY. Anne Flansburg is our dynamic leader of the De Cormier Fund. (Please talk to Anne, her passion for the mission of this fund is unparalleled). Carol Cascio, our current 1st VP, is now RENY’s new secretary. John Carderella was appointed as Nominations and Credentials Chair for RENY. I hope I didn’t miss anyone. WZ is well

represented at the state level. How lucky are we to have these inspirational, committed leaders as teammates in the Western Zone! I know that I have a lot to learn from these incredible people and I look

forward to the opportunity to learn and grow.

Those of you not on the Board of Directors, please know you are always welcome to become involved on any level you are comfortable with.

There are many service projects, social opportunities and future possibilities. If there is something you would like to see happen in WZ, we value you and want to hear your ideas. This is your organization and

your teammates are here for you! Thank you for the honor of being Western Zone President.

In appreciation,

Karen Thompson

Western Zone, President

John N. Cardarella  *CA

Rich Siegel

Donna Potter 

Karen Gembar, President *appointed by Founders’ Fund directors

 Richard Siegel

*CR is a member receiving the Certificate of Recognition for their work in RENY    *CA is a member receiving the Citation Award for work in the Western Zone