Hi All,
I've already shared this with demografx and Daveman, and am now sharing it with you.
After eight years with NORD, I decided it was time to move on. I loved (and still LOVE!) what I was doing there. NORD is an outstanding organization with a mission for which I'll always be loyal -- without reservation.
This was a "good-bye" in the truest sense-- not a resignation as we usually perceive them. They know that they've got my support, the bond is in no way broken. The difference is that now I'll be one of many who have gone on to other ventures, but still support NORD's mission from the outside.
The NORD final full proposal applications for your POIS grant, along with everyone else's full proposals for their grants, were just about fully processed by the time I left. So have no worries about this -- the main work of getting your finalists' applications ready for the MAC's review was accomplished! These applications are most likely going out to each of them today!!!
Speaking of NORD's MAC -- this is a group of scientific/research rock stars -- there is just no other way that I can describe them! They are true scientists -- and will judge your finalists' applications objectively and very carefully. I've had conversations with them about the POIS grant -- none of them had ever heard of this condition! They greatly appreciated the list of most prominent symptoms provided by Daveman and demo, which also included home remedies that have helped some of you, and other "remedies" (prescription or otherwise) that seem to have hindered some of you along the way. They absolutely appreciate your current need for privacy and anonymity, and THEY'VE GOT YOUR BACKS!
NORD's MAC will be your best allies here -- so please try to trust the process!
Your final applicants are each experts in their given fields, and each has an outstanding background. No matter who ultimately becomes the recipient of your grant award -- you are all going to be happy!!! There will be no down-side here.
These researchers (and many more -- without question!!) have always been there! They just never had the funding to undertake solid POIS research. YOU have now provided the very first opportunity!!! It's really, really an exciting time for you all!
Given that I'm no longer with NORD, I changed my username to "Stef" -- which is how I've always signed my posts. While trying to change my profile, I've even attempted to insert a pic (a real pic -- not Marilyn Monroe!). I'm hoping I've done it right -- I seem to have a defect in my IT gene!
Demo and Daveman will continue to receive the usual updates from NORD re: your grant status. The final announcement will probably be made during the first week of December (they try for the end of November -- but December is a more realistic goal for announcements).
So -- I'm still here!! I just have a new user name and a pic to go with it (possibly -- if I made the changes properly!!).
Demo, Daveman and I have managed to form a friendship (even though we've never met in person) -- and I intend to stay connected to this forum and to try to help when I think I've got something helpful to post.
In less than two months -- you're all going to have a researcher who will be working his/her tail off for you!!!
Stef
