Anna Lee Chabot—recognized as one of MPI's 50th anniversary "Legacy Contributors," recognized at WEC San Francisco this year—a decades-long supporter and advocate of MPI in Canada and a former president/chair of the International Board of Directors, shares some on her experience with the association:

In 1985, I joined MPI as a member of the Ottawa Chapter, and I have been a member ever since—that’s 37 years and counting! This fateful decision coincided with another, accepting a position at The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, to lead the meetings and events group until my retirement 24 years later. Fatefully, my predecessor at the college was a charter member of the recently formed Ottawa Chapter, and he encouraged me to join. The rest is history!

Being someone who always gets involved with anything she joins, my MPI volunteer activities began almost immediately at the chapter level as a member of the membership committee then chair; treasurer on the chapter board of directors then president; chapter representative on the Canadian Council then chair; MPI board member then president (1997-98) during MPI’s 25th anniversary year. In the following years, I helped launch the MPI Foundation Canada, served on its board and even had a scholarship named for me. And lastly, I served as a board member of the MPI Foundation until my retirement.

I was truly fortunate that my colleagues and employer in addition to my dear husband supported and encouraged me in my volunteer activities. Little did I know what a positive effect getting involved with MPI was to have on my personal and professional development!

During my years of active membership and service, I logged innumerable frequent flyer miles to participate in mostly live-in-person educational conferences and meetings too numerous to count in locations across Canada, the United States, Denmark, England, Italy, Sweden and Switzerland. Initially, I attended as a planner member, then representing the Ottawa Chapter followed by Canadian Council and eventually the International Board of Directors.

Looking back, I am amazed and proud of MPI’s evolution to its current size and scope. While I am grateful for all the knowledge and experiences afforded me by my involvement with MPI, what I cherish the most are the enduring friendships I am fortunate to have made with many fellow members. You know who you are! Thank you for your caring and encouragement and for all the wonderful memories!  

And thank you very much, MPI, for the honor of being named a Legacy Member on this 50th anniversary!