As things have calmed down from what I stated last month as the most exciting HP event in the past several years, I have had some time to settle into the position as Vivit's President. In doing so, I have had the opportunity to reflect upon and come to understand some of the efforts by those outstanding individuals who make up the Vivit organization. I truly value experience and history in any area of business and life in general.
Vivit is a group of people from a wide variety of backgrounds and has grown tremendously through the days of OpenView Forum International, Peregrine, Mercury, etc. I have said before that it is the group of Board members, chapter leaders, staff and, most importantly, the user community which makes this organization so great. I would like to use this month's note to provide some insight as to what has made the group so successful through its growth and transformation by recognizing some of the specific volunteers who have been key to sustaining and guiding Vivit.
To begin with, if there is one person who is the most recognized ‘face' of Vivit, it well may be Rocky Pisto. He has been involved in some way or another since the beginning. Rocky has held many positions within Vivit, including Ohio Chapter Leader (without a doubt one of the most active chapters we have year over year), Michigan Chapter Leader, Chicago Chapter Leader, Kentucky Chapter Leader, Indiana Chapter Leader, Board member, Membership chair and others. Rocky has always been one of the most positive influences in the organization.
Jim Copio is another individual who so deserves to be mentioned for his efforts. He has lead chapters in the Mid-Atlantic and Carolinas and has been involved with the Board through chairing Nominations, Elections, and Volunteer committees. Most importantly, Jim always has been one of the strongest advocates for the end user.
Brad Clark is an outstanding person who has been involved with Vivit for so many years. He has been a staple to the Michigan area user group as a leader, coordinating the ability for the west and east area of the state to collaborate. Additionally, the amount of personal time that he put forth as the Board Secretary to run and organize the business side of Vivit will likely never be known to most, but I assure you that for the years he volunteered in the position, the organization could not have run without him.
Of special significance is our President Emeritus, Karen Semonson. Her leadership and vision are the basis of what so many of us know as Vivit today. To begin with, the transformation and consolidation of the organizations into Vivit required her guidance in all areas of the organization. Her belief that Vivit members are the best and brightest has allowed us to validate our value to HP and to one another. Karen's insight highlights that it is the volunteers, the leaders and, most importantly, the members that make Vivit so valuable. Her belief that we should appreciate and recognize Vivit volunteers has become an important part of the cultural fabric of the group.
Under Karen's tenure as President, Vivit has seen the launch of our new web site and social media efforts. We have opened doors and strengthened our relationship with HP while maintaining our independent voice. We have seen the integration of discussion forums and a presence in the HP Software Solutions Community. She truly has been a star of Vivit, and we are lucky to have her continue to serve on the Vivit Board for another three-year volunteer term.
People are what make up the Vivit organization and make it great. Time and time again I hear how small of an ecosystem the software world can be. While we continue to promote community, education and advocacy, the organization will always be about those who are Vivit.
