CEO Letter: 9/11
Written for Palmetto Health President Chuck Beaman on the one-year anniversary of 9/11.

   For most Americans, myself included, the word heroism took on new meaning a year ago today. Without warning, the horrific events of 9/11 permanently changed the way we look at our nation and our world, at our friends and our enemies and at ourselves. For more of us, the word heroism was redefined within moments of last September’s unprecedented attacks on America, as were words like courage, devotion and sacrifice. 
   Today, we can all expect to see, hear and remember the images, stories and personal feelings associated with September 11, 2001. And these emotion-charged reminders will touch each of us in deeply personal ways. Brief, respectful services have been scheduled on each of our three campuses and space has been reserved so that individuals and groups of employees might have suitable opportunities to reflect, meditate and pray. As always, chaplains and counselors are nearby and available to you should you require their assistance. 
   As employees of Palmetto Health, you are all invaluable contributors to a vital, life-saving force in our community. It is because of dedicated professionals like you that our neighbors and families have been able to recover from the tragedy of last September and remain hopeful about their future health and safety. Some of you have participated actively in that recovery process as volunteers, counselors and military reservists. Others have participated indirectly, as representatives of the rescue workers and healthcare professionals to whom all Americans entrust their lives. You are all making a difference. 
   Whether it is from your coworkers, your church, your family or from within, I hope that you will somehow find solace, hope, strength and pride on this most poignant day.

Summer Fun Fundraiser
Written to Carolina Children's Home donors; Summer 1998.

Dear Friends, 
   Imagine for just a moment that you’re an eleven-year-old child and that today is finally the last day of school. The bell’s about to ring. Your classmates are chattering like squirrels, whispering and giggling. You have cupcake crumbs on your chin and are inching closer to the edge of your seat … anxious for summer to begin. 
   You have so much to look forward to. 
   Swimming pools, bicycle rides, ice cream cones and roller skates. Camping out in the backyard, hot dogs, fireworks and sandcastles. The monkeys at the zoo, fishing trips, baseball and family picnics. 
   Now, imagine you’re that same eleven-year-old child. School’s about to end. Your friends are joking and laughing, excited about the summer. But you live in a world without ice cream cones, sandcastles and picnics. 
   For you, summer means loneliness, boredom, sadness and danger. Three more months of abuse, abandonment and neglect. You have nothing to look forward to. 
   Thanks to you, thousands of children just like this one now share lasting memories of wonderful summer days full of adventure and opportunity, learning and fun. Each summer, your thoughtful contributions help us care for children who have never been to the beach, never paddled a canoe, never ridden a horse, never driven a go-cart. Your financial support has allowed us to schedule cook-outs, pool parties, museum outings and camping trips. You have brought summer happiness to children who had all but given up hope. 
   Throughout the year, we, of course, provide the best possible therapy, counseling and encouragement for our many residents. We concentrate on their self-esteem, education, dignity and promise. They deserve nothing less. And once summer rolls around we are sure to provide them with what many children would consider a very normal vacation season. 
   Of course, there’s nothing normal about it for our kids. In fact, this is likely to be the best summer they’ve ever know! Thanks to you! 
   Will you join us this year in creating summer memories that last a lifetime? By returning your gift in the enclosed envelope, you will create color, laughter, excitement and warmth. Just write “Summer Fun” on the outside of the envelope and know that your very generous gift of $25 or more will be turned into sandcastles, fireworks, ice cream cones and smiles. 
   After all, on the last day of school, every child deserves something to look forward to.

SCPRSA's President's Message
Written for July 2004 edition of SCPRSA newsletter.

Dear YOUR FIRST NAME,
   I hope you'll forgive me for singling you out ... for broadcasting such a deeply personal note right here on the front page of the SCPRSA newsletter. But, to be honest with you, since we last saw each other in MONTH THAT WE LAST SAW EACH OTHER, I've fallen somewhat behind in my correspondence. Because newsletter editor Angela Cox is demanding my monthly column, I figured I'd kill two birds with one stone. (Plus, it doesn't hurt for the members of SCPRSA to see that their chapter president is on a first name basis with the brains behind YOUR ORGANIZATION.)
   Now, why am I writing to you?
   First of all, I wanted to thank you for your continued support of our chapter as a BOARD MEMBER/COMMITTEE CHAIR/COMMITTEE MEMBER/DUES-PAYING MEMBER. Thus far in 2004, we've enjoyed a great deal of success; we've launched an exciting new super luncheon program, turned our senior practitioners loose on the South Carolina Chamber's strategic plan, embraced the new APR exam process and beefed up our partnership with SCPRSSA.
   Now that we're halfway through the year, it's time to begin planning for 2005, and I couldn't help thinking about you NATURAL LEADERSHIP SKILLS/ATTENTION TO DETAIL/CREATIVITY/POSITIVE ATTITUDE/GULLIBILITY. Obviously, your unique talents and great ideas are perfectly suited for any number of chapter responsibilities. In fact, just this week, our president-elect said to me, "We've got to make sure YOUR FIRST NAME is on our team next year!"
   Past president Jo Halmes and our Nominations Committee are already fleshing out their list of potential 2005 board members, but that leaves at least two dozen other key leadership roles up for grabs (and five times as many supporting committee-level positions to be filled). erhaps it's time you try something a little different, maybe put your NETWORKING/FINANCIAL/TECHNICAL/ENVELOPE STUFFING skills to work for the chapter! There's no shortage of opportunities for involvement, and there's no denying the positive influence you can have on SCPRSA in 2005.
   It's like you always say: SOMETHING POSITIVE AND INSPIRATIONAL THAT YOU ALWAYS SAY. How can you argue with that?

Sincerely,
Jim

P.S. Tell SIGNIFICANT OTHER I said hello!