08/25/2017

Hello MTASers:

Welcome to the new MTAS weekly update, or Friday stuff as Jim called it. Here’s my spin: the MTAS Mustard. Why mustard you ask? Well, first, we have the IPS Catchup, so that’s where the original condiment idea came from. Next, I believe that MTAS “Cuts the Mustard.” The origin of this term doesn’t seem to be clear (several theories abound), but the intent is that someone who cuts the mustard is someone of high quality.

I am really looking forward to seeing us all together next week in Murfreesboro at the IPS annual conference. MTAS will be meeting in Mirabella I from 2:00 to 3:30. We’ll have our annual awards, gag awards, a few words from me, an activity, and then a group photo at 3:30 which we should easily finish in time for the 4:00 IPS registration.

This is the end of my second week in the new job, and it’s been a bit of a roller coaster. Good thing I like roller coasters. Here’s a quote from the 1989 movie: Parenthood, starring Steve Martin as Gil:

Grandma: You know, when I was nineteen, Grandpa took me on a roller coaster.
Gil: Oh?
Grandma: Up, down, up, down. Oh, what a ride!
Gil: What a great story.
Grandma: I always wanted to go again. You know, it was just so interesting to me that a ride could make me so frightened, so scared, so sick, so excited, and so thrilled all together! Some didn't like it. They went on the merry-go-round. That just goes around. Nothing. I like the roller coaster. You get more out of it.

Okay, onto other business. Here are a few notes:
· the Conflict of Interest Form is due September 30. In case you need the link, here you go:
https://app.perfectforms.com/PresentationServer/Form.aspx/Play/rcdkAgAJ?f=rcdkAgAJ&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=Conflict%20of%20Interest&utm_campaign=tntoday
· Securing the Human (security awareness) is due October 27
· IPS and its agencies are now accepting American Express as a payment option. Feel free to spread the word to your customers.
· Try downloading the new UT News App, (if you have an Apple device). Android users should have the opportunity in the near future. Here’s a link to more information:
https://www.utk.edu/mobile/

Finally, please be safe as you travel to Murfreesboro next week and I hope you have a terrific weekend ahead.
Margaret