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Fred Morley Wins a Free RonCon 2010 Registration...and Wins Our Hearts, Too!

I have a moving story to tell. As part of my sponsorship arrangement with IABC Calgary and IABC/BC for RonCon 2010, I agreed to give one full conference registration as something that could be raffled off or given away in a draw to help promote the conference and to give one chapter member in each city an opportunity to go at no cost.

And so on the eve of the Olympics we had a big IABC social event to mark the arrival of the Winter Olympic Games. There were about 80 members present and we held the draw at the end of the evening.  And the man who won was Fred Morley, one of the most senior members of the chapter.  He was completely thrilled. And we all celebrated that he’d won. Thanks to Ballistic Arts for the video clip.

 

That’s where my story begins. I got a note from him the next morning, which I’m sharing now, with Fred’s permission, along with my response:

What can I say?  A complimentary registration to RonCon2010. What more could an IABC/BC member ask for?
 
As much as every fibre in my body is telling me to go  for it, RonCon2010 really belongs to a younger IABC/BC member. Had I been  faster off the mark last night I would have said "thanks" and asked that  another name be drawn. But I wasn't and the more I read and reread the  programme content the more I know it really should go to a younger member who  has a few years under her or his belt and is now ready to take on more  responsibility. Having this seminar on one's resume will be a definite plus.  
 
Why am I having such a hard time writing this  e-mail?
 
But facts are facts. I am now 71 years old and retired  from the business for six and the things I will learn from RonCon2010 will be  only for my knowledge and pleasure. In the past 40 years IABC/BC and its  forerunner, the B.C. Industrial Editors Association have been good to me and  it will be selfish of me not to let this opportunity go to a younger and more  active IABC/BC member.( As I remarked to Adrian Harper when we were walking to  the Skytrain station, "I'll bet nine out of ten people in the room tonight are  wondering who the hell is Frederick Morley?)

I'll leave it to  you three to find the best way to make the change. If I may though, I have one  favour to ask; may I come to the RonCon2010 barbecue  session?

Well, Fred, you are better known than you think. I love the humility and grace of your letter, and I’m going to honour your request in a special way. You can come to the Communication Cookout and any other RonCon 2010 sessions you want as my guest, and in the spirit of your request I’m going to offer one more full conference registration for the B.C. chapter to give away and we’ll soon announce how we'll do that.
 
Fred, I think you exemplify the values of this association. Your generosity of spirit reminds me of why I’m a member of IABC. So thanks very much and I’ll see you at RonCon 2010. You’ll be the Grand Marshall of our Communication Cookout!

A nice quote from Jeff Jarvis

From Buzzmachine: "The shift from the industrial economy to whatever follows is well underway, only the leaders of the old order are largely blind to it and in that willful ignorance, there is great risk."