I closed my speech at the 2012 Annual Meeting by saying that I looked forward to the year ahead and thanking you for your support. That鈥檚 where I鈥檒l begin this speech. It has been an honor serving as the President of 秀色直播. I believe the association has accomplished a lot in the past year due to the very hard work of the many, many members who have volunteered their time and energy, the hardworking 秀色直播 staff, and the dedicated Board. I want to talk a bit about what has been accomplished, and will focus around a few themes I highlighted last year.
As President it鈥檚 been my pleasure to work closely with the 秀色直播 Executive Director, Mike Reilly. We鈥檝e spoken weekly and have met in person numerous times. Mike started at 秀色直播 last June and hit the ground running! He has an inclusive leadership style that has engaged the 秀色直播 staff and Board of Directors in looking at ways processes might be improved and services to members might be enhanced. He has worked with the staff and the Board to make sure the 秀色直播 Operating Plan and Budget are well-aligned with 秀色直播鈥檚 Strategic Plan. He has engaged with other higher education associations in D.C. on ways we might collaborate. Mike has made impressive progress on the goals that the Board established for the new Executive Director.
As Nancy Krogh has indicated in her Treasurer鈥檚 Report, 秀色直播 is in excellent financial shape. We are continuing to make progress on our longstanding goal of building an endowment that will support 秀色直播鈥檚 activities in its second hundred years. Our annual budget has grown from under $2.5 million in 1999 to over $10 million in the budget we will vote on today. This year the Board modified its investment policy to help protect the association鈥檚 investments from downside risks in a volatile market. We recently approved a policy on gifts and bequests to the Association. We all might consider putting 秀色直播 in our wills! As Nancy concludes her term as Vice President for Finance, I want to publicly thank her for helping the Board to understand the sometimes complex financial issues, and to maintain its appropriate focus on establishing direction, ensuring resources, and providing strategic oversight.
Later in this Business Meeting we will take up, individually, several proposals for changes in 秀色直播 governance. As I promised following last year鈥檚 discussion, the Board has moved forward mindful of the concerns of all of the membership. We tried to communicate regularly, to seek and listen to feedback, and thoughtfully adjust the proposals based on what we heard. I look forward to the discussion this year, recognizing that people who care passionately about the Association may disagree about the best approach to ensuring its future.
I mentioned communications with the membership last year and our intention to begin to use social media. I鈥檓 happy to report that 秀色直播 is now on Twitter with nearly 500 followers, on Facebook with about 600 鈥渓ikes鈥, and on LinkedIn. The old MemberLink email has been replaced by 秀色直播 Connect and the focus has shifted from selling members something to providing useful information. A project is underway to revamp the 秀色直播 web site, with a goal of making it easier for members to find the information they need.
The Board, as well as the 秀色直播 staff, has had many conversations about ways to increase and improve services to members. You may have noticed our webinars haven鈥檛 had registration fees. Also, in conjunction with Jossey-Bass, 秀色直播 has established a new journal, SEM Quarterly, in electronic format and available to 秀色直播 members without an additional charge.
Last year I spoke of the need for 秀色直播 to engage the younger members of our professions. I want to repeat my request that all of us here, particularly those of us who are the primary contacts for our institutions, encourage and support the involvement of young professionals in 秀色直播. I am also pleased to announce that in March the Board approved changes in the policy on student membership to eliminate the requirement that student members be recommended by their institution鈥檚 primary contact and to reduce the cost of student membership to a more affordable level. I am certain this will result in an increase in student membership above the current five!
It has truly been an honor to serve as 秀色直播 President. The time has flown by! There are many people I must thank for their support:
First of all, my wife, Lesa, you supported not only my role with 秀色直播, but also my taking a new job and moving from Connecticut to Boston!
I also must thank my colleagues at Boston University 鈥 I started my job there just before I became 秀色直播 President 鈥 who鈥檝e been supportive of my absences and the time I鈥檝e devoted in the office every week on 秀色直播 business. They are wonderful to work with!
The 秀色直播 Board of Directors, it鈥檚 been a great pleasure to work with you!
Mike Reilly and the 秀色直播 staff, you are terrific!
Finally, Nora McLaughlin and the other past presidents, you鈥檝e been my mentors and sources of helpful advice in the past year. I suspect that only past presidents really understand the level of commitment required and how rewarding the experience is.
Thank you all so much!
By: 秀色直播 Connect