August 9, 2019

Dear EARCOS Colleague,

As I begin my first year as Executive Director, it is truly a privilege to write to you at the beginning of what I hope will be a wonderful year for each of you and the schools entrusted to your care.  I continue to be deeply impressed by the sense of camaraderie that infuses the EARCOS conferences and gatherings.  The quality of the professional conferences and workshops is second to none. There is truly something special happening across this region—a fact that has been recognized by so many over the years. 

Taking over the helm of this organization at this moment is an honor, but a bitter sweet one.  On one hand, EARCOS  just celebrated its 50th Anniversary and is in excellent health.  Membership continues to grow, finances are sound, there is a wise, dedicated, and caring Board, and the conferences and workshops enjoy great reviews and large numbers of participants—quite contrary to trends seen in some other regions.  So, what a wonderful moment it is to join EARCOS.

And yet, what a harsh pill it has been to endure Dick Krajczar’s passing.  Just months before he was to begin his oft-delayed retirement, and just weeks before he and I were to spend a full month together here in Manila on transition topics, he was suddenly taken from us.  International educators everywhere lost a kind and wise leader and friend.  At the Leadership Conference this October, the EARCOS Board will announce an initiative to ensure that Dick’s legacy will be honored well into the future.  I do hope you will be there for that.

Dick was never one to stand still, nor should we.  As we contemplate the future of EARCOS, the path forward is clear: join together to protect and build upon the strong foundations and professional culture Dick left for us.  It is now up to us to look boldly into the eyes of the challenges awaiting international education in this unsteady world and to ensure they are addressed.  It is up to each of us to participate fully in the conversations, large and small, to examine the issues that we share, and to take advantage of new initiatives awaiting our collective action.  In sum, it is up to each of us to ensure that EARCOS continues to thrive across this tremendous region.  Please, support EARCOS by embracing the conferences, workshops and other events that have been designed to serve the needs of your school, your faculty and staff, your Board and, most importantly, your students.

While EARCOS exists to serve all dimensions of the schools across this region, it has always been a high priority to support those who have accepted the challenges of leading those schools.  The October Leadership Conference and the Spring Head’s Retreat are but two initiatives I would strongly encourage you to attend this year.  In the meantime, please feel free to contact me at any time if there is anything I or the EARCOS staff can do to support the demanding work you do.  EARCOS is here for you. 

Here’s to a fantastic start to the 2019-2020 school year for each of you and your schools—and here’s to a great start to the next 50 years of EARCOS!   I look forward to seeing you soon.

With all best wishes,

Edward E. Greene, Ph.D.
Executive Director
egreene@earcos.org