ACDIS introductions: Melissa Varnavas

by Melissa Varnavas

Since these “intros” were my idea, everyone said that I should be the first person in the proverbial hot seat.

Because I consider myself a writer (I spent about a decade writing and editing my hometown newspaper and recently earned my master’s degree in creative writing), part of my passion for CDI comes from the fact that I get to put together most of the ACDIS publications including:

• The bi-monthly e-newsletter CDI Strategies
• The quarterly newsletter CDI Journal
• This blog
• Various special reports and benchmarking items

Another fun part of my job is helping local groups of CDI specialists gather for networking events. You’ll see me write this again and again during these introductions as other ACDIS staff express similar opinions, but the real joy of arriving at work everyday comes from all of you. CDI professionals are an extremely dedicated and giving group of individuals who are hungry for information and willing to share their experiences in order to help others.

When working with local chapters I help start-up groups find other CDI professionals in their communities and provide some initial outlines for how to get going. I work with local group leaders to post meeting information and generate agenda ideas if needed. I’m happy to say we have groups all over the country from Maine to California. If there isn’t one in your neck of the woods yet and you’re interested in helping get one started, just give me a call and we’ll see what we can do.

Let’s see… what else can I tell you about my work with ACDIS…

I’m a book editor here, as well. That means when you tell me that you’d really like a book to help you with a particular subject I get to work researching the topic, finding the experts in the field who’d make good authors, and helping to make sure all the information you need is included in the book.

Mr. Murphy and I will be splitting the task of producing and moderating audio conferences in 2010, so if you have an idea you’d like to hear some speakers dissect just let me know and we’ll see if we can fit it into the schedule.

Phew, I feel like I’ve babbled on and on… Well, I’ve asked everyone else to answer some common personal questions so I’d better answer them too. Here goes:

I’m 36 years old, married, no children (I do have 10 nieces and nephews ranging in age from 23 to 2 who keep us pretty busy). My husband’s name is Chris Terrell. He teaches special education in Beverly, MA, plays guitar and sings in the band Playing for Crickets. (We met 12 years ago when he was in a band called Guava Jelly, I think Playing for Crickets is a better band name, don’t you?)

My favorite food is French fries, particularly from this restaurant that’s a short walk from my house. It serves them dusted with rosemary sea salt and a tartar sauce (I know weirder than fries with mayo but it is amazing). Couple them with one of Soma’s signature martini’s (my mother loves the banana bread one) and it’s a great night for me.

I’ve already said how much I enjoy writing so in terms of hobbies I guess I have to say writing. But after a day full of word smithing I like to unwind with a walk by the ocean. Which is convenient since I live about a block away from the beach.

I think that’s it for me. If you like listening to Nora Jones or Tito Puente, have a father who was a printer prior to retirement, a passion for Rilke, or want to chat about goings-on in the CDI world give me a call at 800-650-6787, ext.. 3711, or email me at mvarnavas@acdis.org.