The only reason I mention all of this is to admit that I've frequently been guilty of putting my role in arboriculture above that of my role in the cheering section at the school or family function. I guess the message I'm working towards is one of balance. If I volunteer to serve on a committee I try to do my best. I'm being more selective about what I volunteer for. Rather than fill ALL my time up with tree stuff, I'm finding time to serve the profession and the Boy Scouts and some PTA stuff now and then.
Trees are important, but even in the life of an arborist they are just trees.
So, I won't be at the TCC this year, and best of all I don't feel guilty. I'll be back to cheer for the next generation, God willing. The message I'm working towards is one of encouraging you to consider volunteering your time and talent to the service of the chapter IF you can keep things in balance. We don't want all of your time, but we do want your best with the time you can give us. That is neither fair nor responsible.