Do you understand the power of, “thank you?” I mean an honestly given expression of appreciation. As I close out my career at MSBO, I often reflect on how many people I feel gratitude towards.
We recently held MSBO’s Leadership Conference in Detroit. We hold this meeting annually to plan our Annual Conference (April 28-30, 2009 in Detroit!) and to say thank you to the people who serve in volunteer leadership roles for MSBO. I’m paid for what I do, but these people serve their professional community for free, or even at a personal and professional cost.
Who are they? They are the chairs of MSBO’s Administrative and Program and Research Committees, Regional Presidents, and our Board of Directors. They give their time for you and for the benefit of MSBO. I want to say thank you to all of them.
Look at the 2009 MSBO Directory and find who these people are. They come from all aspects of school business professions – financial and business, facilities, food service, transportation, technology, purchasing, and more. They are geographically spread across the state and represent large and small schools. They provide leadership and input that makes MSBO the organization it is today! Please take the time to look at the names and districts of these volunteers and say thanks.
Much of MSBO’s success is directly related to the quality and dedication of our members. I can tell you from my experience working in four different associations in my career; MSBO members are a cut above. Our members share with one another, help each other and learn from one another. I’ve had several people comment on this to me over the years. Our members have a special esprit that just doesn’t exist everywhere. Maintaining the esprit and the cooperative culture of MSBO members can be the difference between success and failure for us individually and collectively.
Thanks to all of you who don’t just do your own jobs, but help others in your district, or in other districts to be successful. Now think about the other people around you who dig in and work hard every day, often in the face of declining resources and staff. Pick out one person a week in your office or around your district, and tell them, “thank you” for all they’ve done for you or the students of your district. Write them a special note or e-mail to express your feelings. Chances are you will make someone’s day.
