She likely won't get it.

Since 2003, Potter has seen the organization grow from an all-volunteer confederation of community groups into a professional organization with a growing membership and supportive board.

"These seven years have truly been a work of love," Potter said last week as federation members recognized her efforts at the organization's meeting. "It has been as fulfilling for me as it could possibly be. And I am thrilled the federation is where it is and moving forward rapidly."

She's not retiring - on the contrary. Potter remains on the board.

She had retired in 2001 after 10 years as vice president of a computer systems company. She knew she wanted to do something in the nonprofit world, preferably in environmental work.

"She has not only helped build the organization, but its reputation in the community," said Erik Michelsen, the federation's executive director.

Her path to Annapolis and environmental work went through, of all places, New York City. On Sept. 11, 2001, she was working as a consultant in her office on the 64th floor of the World Trade Center.

"I was on the phone … when I heard an explosion," she wrote in an e-mail to her husband, Bruce.

She made her way down the stairs with a throng of people, unaware of what had happened until they got into the street. Looking up, they saw both towers ablaze - just minutes before they collapsed.

The day was a turning point.

Potter returned to Annapolis, still not sure of her niche, until she heard about the South River Federation's work. After Potter called federation board member emeritus John Flood, she was hooked. Within a year, she became president of the federation. Then, her work began in earnest. The South River Federation is now recognized as one of the top outfits in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

When Bob Gallagher wanted to start a river organization for the West and Rhode rivers, he did his homework. "The South River Federation stood out as the role model that I wanted to model my organization after," he said.

He has started two other organizations in collaboration with Potter - the Anne Arundel Watershed Coalition and the Anne Arundel County chapter of the League of Conservation Voters.

"Her dedication is unmatched by anyone I have ever worked with," he said.

He and others will still get that chance.

"We have a lot of work to do. It is hard to think about the Chesapeake Bay dying off in my lifetime," Potter said.

Not if she has her way.

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