Replacing Myself.

When 2007 Community Development VP Nicole Loiselle asked me to chair the AfterProm, I agreed, contingent on one condition: Nicole had to find a co-chair. Specifically, somebody who'd been in the chapter for less than two years.

That way the knowledge and experience would go to someone who wouldn't be aging out right away and they could train the following year's project chair, who would train the next one, and so on. Kate Lindon agreed to co-chair and the project was a success.

My plan for Kate to train her successor was a bit less successful -- she and her husband moved to Pennsylvania so he could attend seminary. I tried to convince Kate to come back for the 2008 AfterProm, but no luck.

In 2008 Claire van Beek, the new Community Development VP, found out that I had experience with the project and asked if I'd chair it again. I gave her the same answer I'd given Nicole, find a co-chair and I'll work with them. A short time later, Kara Farrell agreed to chair the project and we provided food and beverages to the best attended AfterProm party yet.

Kara didn't get the opportunity to mentor this year's AfterProm co-chair. Instead, Lydia Stockton and Meghan Ryan were the veteran-rookie team-up behind a successful 2009 After Prom.

But a funny thing happened. With the confidence of her previous success chairing the AfterProm, Kara decided to chair the Paint-A-Pumpkin booths at last year's Germantown Oktoberfest. I answered some questions and helped out with ideas here and there, but it was definitely Kara's project.

The 2009 Oktoberfest takes place this weekend. The Paint-A-Pumpkin booth is being chaired by Stephanie Rago. Kara's been working with her for the past several months.

I love it when a plan comes together.