news article
The Upper New York Conference District Administrative Assistant changes
June 17, 2020 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
July 1 marks celebratory retirements for two District Administrative Assistants (AAs), Pam Deckard in the Finger Lakes District and Maxine Getty in the Albany District. The Finger Lakes office’s new Administrative Assistant, Mary Tanner, began training on June 15. The current Adirondack District Administrative Assistant, Carrie Boyer, will be working as AA for both the Adirondack and Albany Districts.
Pam Deckard considers herself a planner—always having one-year and five-year plans lined up. She had thoughts of traveling when retired, but that is not possible right now during a pandemic. She said, “What I have learned though is that I have to be resilient. If I have patience, God shows me what to do next, and it’s always better than I could have imagined.”
In the meantime, Pam is grateful she has a house and yard that she can work on. She also has two sisters that she crafts with. One day a week, she drives for Meals for Wheels and may do that more.
Mary Tanner started training this past Monday as the new Finger Lakes District Administrative Assistant. Mary is currently employed on a part-time basis as the Office Administrator at Camillus First United Methodist Church. She has an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration from Cayuga Community College. She has worked in administrative roles for over 25 years at various companies such as Carrier Corporation and L&JG Stickley.
Having only trained for a few days, Mary already loves her new role in the Finger Lakes office. She said, “Pam gave me so many references and Mary Bradley did as well. This training is going great for me.”
Speaking of Mary Tanner, Pam Said, “Mary is wonderful! She just absorbs things so fast. I am so grateful to have a replacement who has eased my mind. I’m usually anxious with big changes, but not this time and it is because of the confidence I have in Mary!”
Outside of work, Mary Tanner loves to garden. She also has the gift of music—she is part of the Master’s Touch Chorale as well as a smaller, women’s choral group, Manna.
Maxine Getty is looking forward to retirement, she said, “this will be my second retirement, having retired from the Air Force with 26 years. When I was hired by Troy Conference then the merger to UNYAC I will leave with 22 years. So, 48 years all total is a good time to leave. It is very simple; it is time for me to spend more time with my husband. We just plan on being together and doing whatever presents itself. It’s time to live life to its fullest. I’ll miss everyone.”
Carrie Boyer is excited to take on the role of Albany District Administrative Assistant along with her Adirondack AA role. She said, “I look forward to being in ministry with the pastors and churches in the Albany District in addition to the folks in the Adirondack District. My time will be divided between the two offices - the Albany District in the Newtonville UMC in Latham on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, and the Adirondack District in the South Glens Falls UMC on Wednesdays and Saturdays. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve both Districts.” Carrie will be checking both Districts’ emails and voicemails daily.
Keep watching Conference communication channels for District Superintendent changes with the new Regional Superintendency Plan that begins July 1, 2020.