Women in Weights & Measures
Heather Chappell Director of Weights & Measures Tompkins County, New York The Value of Connection
This year’s NCWM Annual Meeting reminded me that one of the greatest values of our profession isn’t something we inspect or measure, it’s the connections we make. I had the honor of serving as a co-presenter for the Women in Weights and Measures Subcommittee. It was on my “Professional Bucket List” and when I reached out to volunteer to do a presentation, I was asked if I would mind presenting with Joanna Cartee, from the beautiful state of Georgia. We had never met. We were paired together with a shared goal in mind. And what started as a professional collaboration quickly grew into a genuine friendship. Living in different states meant that nearly all our planning took place through Microsoft Teams meetings, phone calls, and numerous emails. Together, we developed our presentation, shared ideas, encouraged one another, and discovered that despite the miles between us, we shared a passion for the Weights and Measures profession and for supporting others within it. To me, that experience perfectly captures the value of the Women in Weights and Measures. It creates opportunities to connect with colleagues you may never have met otherwise, transforming introductions into partnerships and, in many cases, lasting friendships. Those relationships don’t end when the conference ends. They continue throughout the year as we learn from each other, share resources, and support each other. Whether you are a first-time attendee or a longtime NCWM member, I encourage you to join us. The Women in Weights and Measures is about more than a meeting, it’s about building connections, fostering mentorship, and strengthening our profession together.
18
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker