Sequestered In Chicago

For the second year in a row, I served on the national nominating committee for the Public Relations Society of America, which meets every summer to select candidates for PRSA leadership in the Hilton Hotel adjacent to Chicago's O'Hare Airport.

But this little hootenanny is no junket, I assure you. The group of about two dozen or so committee members from around the United States is virtually sequestered -- like in 12 Angry Men -- in the hotel.

Following the four-hour flight from Eugene to Seattle to Chi-Town on Friday, July 29, committee members gathered for a business dinner from 6-10 p.m.

The next morning began at 7 a.m. with breakfast, followed by about 12 hours of interviews with prospective candidates for national leadership, both live and by telephone. Whew!

But there would be no rest for the wicked. On Sunday, we once again began early for more deliberation and discussion, wrapping up in the afternoon just in time for my flight back to Eugene.

Needless to say, there would be no trip to a Cubs game for this kid.