ACPA is becoming one of the most "corporate friendly" associations out there. We really have good corporate friends that truly care about the work we are doing on our respective campuses. Let me first start by saying I cannot name them all. It isn't that I really can't name them all, it is that the moment I name one (or five) than I will have left off a few others. So rather than name companies, I will just talk about six people that I think are just awesome and the reason ACPA has become so corporate friendly. Lets call my buddies Howie, Teri, Andy, David, Bill, and Doug.
Now please, do not confuse these names with people you might think they are since that would be unfair to the real people they are. These are just names of people that I made up (for purposes of this blog). They also happen to care about the work we do. Let me share a few stories.
Last year at the Metro DC convention we had record participation in the Exhibits area. Not only were they great corporate partners, these were committed colleagues supporting the work we do. The fact that they were there, paying to be there, to support our work should tell us something. It is impressive when members of the association "make" time to visit with our corporate partners. We really should do that more. Think of all the things one can learn from walking the exhibit area, such as what new products or books are available or the latest trends in technology that supports our departments on campus. For the serious professional who wants to stay ahead of the game it helps to see the playbook. That playbook is the exhibit area. Our corporate buddies made that event happen.
Last year at Metro DC we had socials and activities that supported the work of our membership and corporate friends. Many of these activities were funded by our corporate partners and these were activities our membership participated in and enjoyed. I cannot imagine a convention without the presence of some of the companies we could easily take for granted if we were not more careful. Remember, I won't say the corporate names, but a convention without Howie, Teri, Andy, David, Bill, and Doug wouldn't be much fun.
Just recently one of my best friends, lets call him Andy, set up meetings for us so we could try and become new best friends with another corporate buddy. My bud Andy didn't have to do that, but he did it because he is committed to our student development work. ** I sound like my daughter telling me stories about her girlfriends at school! **
I always knew some of our research and programs were funded through the generous gifts of many people, including our corporate friends. It is amazing what generosity we have in our corporate buddies. Just a couple of years ago one of my other best friends stepped up and supported one of our signature institutes. This type of help really makes a difference. Not only does it help lower the costs to each of us (as practitioners and universities) but it also enables the association to advance our work in other ways and in other places.
Now my absolute "bestest" friend (as my daughter might say) is Teri. If Santa were a corporate friend they would rename him to Teri. Not only is this buddy full of ideas, she acts on those ideas. ACPA is so much better as an association because of her passionate work behind the scenes. She really makes a difference and is always finding ways to keep us progressive and foresightful.
ACPA is really fortunate to have such wonderful best friends. Next time you are at a convention and you happen to see a name tag on someone "looking" the corporate buddy type, slap your arm around them, thank them, and say, "Hi, I am ACPA and I am your other best friend." Weeeee.
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Friday, June 12, 2009
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
We have so much to discuss, lets chat?!
On Friday, June 12 from 11:00-11:30 a.m., we are hosting our 2nd public chat on AIM. There is no need to download any software. All one has to do is join me online. The URL will be:
http://tinyurl.com/acpaprez-chat
During the chat please feel free to ask me anything. ACPA has so much happening. You have heard me say it before, ACPA is is an amazing association. "We have so much to discuss, lets chat?!" Weeeee!
http://tinyurl.com/acpaprez-chat
During the chat please feel free to ask me anything. ACPA has so much happening. You have heard me say it before, ACPA is is an amazing association. "We have so much to discuss, lets chat?!" Weeeee!
Friday, May 29, 2009
The Governing Board & the Association's Work
by Dr. Tom Jackson, Jr., ACPA President 2009-10
Twenty five years ago I really wasn't all that interested in what the ACPA Executive Council discussed during their meetings. Quite frankly, I was just happy to be employed as a newer professional, meeting new life-long friends, and getting a few presentations to build a resume.
Today I devote an enormous amount of time to what the ACPA Governing Board discusses. You should know that ACPA has come a very long way over the years and the Governing Board very rarely "dabbles" or "micro-manages." The ACPA Governing Board of today is more like the Board of Trustees on many of our campuses. We are very deliberate, strategic, focused, and disciplined. We carefully look at issues, try our best to stay true to process and the ACPA values, and value the membership's opinion. Personally I really enjoy being around such a diverse and dynamic group.
The people on the Governing Board have devoted a lot of personal time to ACPA. In the last two days I probably spent 10 hours working on ACPA items. I talked to the ACPA Executive Director twice and the Convention Chair three times. I swapped emails with dozens of members and even swapped emails with my good colleagues in NASPA. We share and collaborate a lot more than people think and have so much planned together. The Convention Chair (Robin Diana) easily put in a good 10 plus hours responding to ACPA issues as well. These are progressive issues, such as how to improve the convention, lower costs, improve technology, better promote the event, and so much more. It amazes me the devotion our membership has for ACPA and the willingness of individuals to share their time to make this an incredible association.
As the ACPA President I try to respect the time commitments of the Governing Board and other volunteers. I recognize that this Governing Board does not need to be deciding on issues that commission chairs, standing committee chairs, or state/international presidents should be handling. This perspective should be common on your campus. Does your President make departmental decisions? I would hope that directors get to handle departmental issues and most senior administrators allow for decision-making authority to exist at the lowest levels in the organization. While I know this isn't always true, I am trying to make sure our Governing Board stays focused on macro and strategic issues and the many other leaders within this association are afforded the opportunity to lead. As a former supervisor once said to me and her other supervisees, "See the potential and ask." She also said, "Lead. Don't wait to be told." I learned a lot from Kim D. West during my short time at the University of Southern California (1989-90).
As President my time during May and June is preparing for the Summer Leadership Meeting (SLM). This is where the chairs and state/international presidents come together to plan and train. The Governing Board meets FOUR times during this four day period. Naturally we cover a great deal of topics. I am trying to push through some issues in June so we can focus on the more challenging topics in July during SLM. We have only a few face-to-face meetings during the year and that time together is precious.
So what will the Governing Board talk about in June? Here is the running list:
What has been happening behind the scenes has been supporting the development and establishment of the International Association of Student Affairs Services (IASAS), taking a critical look at the role of specialty colleges, establishing our veteran services agenda, improving corporate relations, and supporting our many sister associations.
The pace required for the ACPA President TODAY is FAST. Things are real-time. Like our campuses, information and communication is often instant and frequent; and our membership, you, are curious. ACPA has a great group of people serving it in volunteer roles. I believe in each one of them and value their commitment to this association, your association, my acpa. Weeeee!
Follow the ACPA President on Twitter (ACPAPREZ) for the most up to date information.
Today I devote an enormous amount of time to what the ACPA Governing Board discusses. You should know that ACPA has come a very long way over the years and the Governing Board very rarely "dabbles" or "micro-manages." The ACPA Governing Board of today is more like the Board of Trustees on many of our campuses. We are very deliberate, strategic, focused, and disciplined. We carefully look at issues, try our best to stay true to process and the ACPA values, and value the membership's opinion. Personally I really enjoy being around such a diverse and dynamic group.
The people on the Governing Board have devoted a lot of personal time to ACPA. In the last two days I probably spent 10 hours working on ACPA items. I talked to the ACPA Executive Director twice and the Convention Chair three times. I swapped emails with dozens of members and even swapped emails with my good colleagues in NASPA. We share and collaborate a lot more than people think and have so much planned together. The Convention Chair (Robin Diana) easily put in a good 10 plus hours responding to ACPA issues as well. These are progressive issues, such as how to improve the convention, lower costs, improve technology, better promote the event, and so much more. It amazes me the devotion our membership has for ACPA and the willingness of individuals to share their time to make this an incredible association.
As the ACPA President I try to respect the time commitments of the Governing Board and other volunteers. I recognize that this Governing Board does not need to be deciding on issues that commission chairs, standing committee chairs, or state/international presidents should be handling. This perspective should be common on your campus. Does your President make departmental decisions? I would hope that directors get to handle departmental issues and most senior administrators allow for decision-making authority to exist at the lowest levels in the organization. While I know this isn't always true, I am trying to make sure our Governing Board stays focused on macro and strategic issues and the many other leaders within this association are afforded the opportunity to lead. As a former supervisor once said to me and her other supervisees, "See the potential and ask." She also said, "Lead. Don't wait to be told." I learned a lot from Kim D. West during my short time at the University of Southern California (1989-90).
As President my time during May and June is preparing for the Summer Leadership Meeting (SLM). This is where the chairs and state/international presidents come together to plan and train. The Governing Board meets FOUR times during this four day period. Naturally we cover a great deal of topics. I am trying to push through some issues in June so we can focus on the more challenging topics in July during SLM. We have only a few face-to-face meetings during the year and that time together is precious.
So what will the Governing Board talk about in June? Here is the running list:
- ACPA/NASPA Joint Futures Task Force
- ACPA Associate Executive Director Vacancy
- ACPA Budget
- ACPA Placement & Technology
- ACPA/NASPA Collaboration with Professional Competencies
- ACPA Anniversary Celebrations
- Developments (newsletter) and Editorial Board
- ACPA Convention Shell (what fixed events happen at convention)
- Corporate Sponsor Benchmarking
- Major Awards
What has been happening behind the scenes has been supporting the development and establishment of the International Association of Student Affairs Services (IASAS), taking a critical look at the role of specialty colleges, establishing our veteran services agenda, improving corporate relations, and supporting our many sister associations.
The pace required for the ACPA President TODAY is FAST. Things are real-time. Like our campuses, information and communication is often instant and frequent; and our membership, you, are curious. ACPA has a great group of people serving it in volunteer roles. I believe in each one of them and value their commitment to this association, your association, my acpa. Weeeee!
Follow the ACPA President on Twitter (ACPAPREZ) for the most up to date information.
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