Distinguished Service Award  Lois Freeland  Wins the International Council's Disinguished Service Award  February, 2000  by Professor Don Ely, Ph.D.    Q: What attracted you to AECT when you joined the national staff?   "I joined the AECT staff in October, 1976.  AECT had just moved out of the NEA building into new office space on 16th Street in Washington, DC.  I immediately senses that AECT was where I wanted to begin my association career.  The Association was growing as the influence of technology made its impact on education.  The AECT leaders were so dynamic and the staff of 21 so talented." Q: Can you share with us the single most difficult part of the convention coordinator's job?   "The single most difficult part of the job was disciplining myself  not to work 18 hour days and remembering I had a family to raise.  The work was always so rewarding I just didn't know when to quit.  I felt I had to work as hard as the Association's volunteers did.  They worked all day at their "real" jobs and then devoted their "spare" time for convention program planning, Association committee work, etc.  I was fortunate to have a supportive family that understood my devotion to the job and saw me through the busy times." Q: What was there about the International Division (now Council) that interested you and caused you to take special care of our needs?   "It might have been that International Division folks took "special care" of me during my early years with the Association.  People like Dick Cornell, Jenny Johnson,  Minaruth Galey, Don Ely, and Ron McBeath to name a few.  Their tireless devotion to AECT inspired me to help in anyway I could to attain their goals.  I was always inspired by this Division's dedication to sharing educational technology to Third World countries and nurturing bright young international students." Q: Can you remember a humorous incident during any of the conventions?   "One of the most humorous incidents was when I arrived at my first AECT convention at Miami Beach in 1977.  Fred Wherli and I arrived at the airport and were told that a state host volunteer assigned to VIP arrivals would be there to chauffeur us to the hotel.  And, low and behold, the famous Dick Cornell arrived sporting his full tennis attire, complete with the sweat and wet brow! Truly, that was a memorable sight!" Q: What are you doing now?   "I am missing all of you! However, I have moved on.  Under the auspices of my husband's business, Innovative  Concepts/Solutions, I am now working as an independent meeting planner.  I am securing meeting space for associations and small corporate accounts." Thank you, Lois.  You will be missed in many ways beyond you usual competent professionalism.  Your smile, your caring, your "always available" for help will always be remembered.  Thank you, from all of us around the World.