I was definitely not bored at the MAA Board of Directors meeting. My leadership style is similar to my teaching style; I ask everyone to participate and actively engage. Having people in the room and remote on zoom made orchestrating group work a challenge. However, I am continually amazed at how well human beings adapt to new situations.
Last night, someone asked if I was tired after the first day of the meeting. I answered “not yet.” I had homework to complete that night and another half of the meeting to preside over today.
Day two went well with important conversations. I was impressed by the insightful questions, thoughtful comments, stark honesty, and genuine care that everyone brought to the table.
I appreciated this post from VP April Strom this evening:
We finished by 2 pm ET and I was at my gate by 3 pm waiting for my plane to arrive. I had two hours to wait.
I could not keep my eyes open. I had to walk around the terminal to stay awake. If I sat down, I. Would. Fall. Asleep.
Despite every fiber of my being crying out for me to do so, I did not succumb until after I boarded the plane. Suffice it to say, the flight went by quickly because I crashed. Hard. I woke up somewhere over Minnesota to see the sunset and promptly returned to slumber.
Now that I’m home and ready to enjoy an extra hour of sleep as we “Fall Back” tonight, I seem to have caught my second wind. I wonder how long I will last?
Math in the Time of Corona 