Public speaking

I'm still in the fight.  That's what life is feeling like right now.  I'm just trying to keep my head up and my eyes forward.  I have a vacation coming up soon - it is much needed and hopefully will go a long way to recharging the batteries, regaining my focus and help me power through the rest of the year. 

The second prompt this week is about public speaking.  My "public" speaking is done in the office at committee and board meetings.  Is this true public speaking?  No, I'm not out giving lengthy speeches or presentations in public.  I don't have to prepare what I am going to say.  But as the only trust administrator, and the secretary for the investment committee, the audit committee and the board of directors, I am involved in all meetings and duties of trust administration.  For the audit and investment committees, I prepare and distribute all meeting materials and take minutes of the meetings.  I have to prepare and present annual administrative reviews for all accounts to the investment committee.  This involves reviewing the assets held in the trust, distributions that are made, the fees that are charged, a risk assessment and any special considerations that are being taken.  In the investment committee I also review new and terminated accounts, new assets for purchase, and general updates about the accounts.  For the audit committee, I help answer questions about current audit and exam findings and provide the schedule and status updates of the various audits.  For the Board meeting, I prepare and distribute all meeting material and take minutes.  The various committees report to the board and I will often provide the review for the investment committee.  If there is other business that needs to be discussed with the board, I will provide input as needed in relation to client matters that need to be reviewed.  I also update all the members and attendees of future meetings, training that may be required and other miscellaneous information.  So do I have any public speaking duties at work?  At least once a month, and often more frequently as needed for special meetings.  Do I want to go into public speaking?  No - I'm more than happy listening to others give formal speeches and presentations and will keep my speaking to the main conference room at work.

It's Friday.  We made it through another work week.  It's going to be cold tonight - hopefully you have taken care of your plants, pets and pipes.  Hopefully you were able to cross off at least one item from your to do list - I'm checking this one off right now.  But when I think about everything, I'm sure another 3 items will take its place because there is always too much to do.