May President’s Article
Well, here we are – my final newsletter and the precursor to the first in-person FCCMA event of the year. Now, I have heard from past presidents that the presidential year tends to fly by, but just informationally, for any presidents serving during a pandemic,… it doesn’t. That said, I am also wishing it was not coming to an end (the presidency, not the pandemic). This year seemed to give us the space we needed to focus on the structure and direction of our organization. From my perspective, the mix of personalities on the Board and the time commitment by everyone involved really helped us set future leaders of FCCMA up for success. That may not be a flashy legacy, but it’s the right one, and it belongs to the entire FCCMA Board of Directors, the staff and all the members who got involved.
I would be remiss if I did not provide some thanks to some folks, as not everyone will be at the conference, and this is the paragraph in which that will happen. Again, the FCCMA Board of Directors has shown exceptional leadership during situations that none of us could have imagined. Our committee members and committee chairs have led all of our committees with great initiative, including communications, membership, awards and scholarships, fiscal and administrative, professional development, winter institute planning, conference planning, investment committee, nominating committee, and the ethics committee. Not only is that a lot of committees, but it is also a lot of dedicated members that make those committees go and keep the association moving forward. These members volunteered their time to their association, and like the Board, they brought their efforts to new heights during this crazy year.
I would also like to thank the members of the executive committee. I know I said I would thank some folks in the previous paragraph, but it looks like I meant the next few paragraphs. A massive thank you goes to Shannon Lewis. Honestly, I am not sure how I would have operated as a virtual president without the leadership of the ORIGINAL virtual president. I got time to prepare to lead FCCMA during the pandemic…Shannon was just in it, and her leadership and perseverance set a pace that set us up for success this year. I want to congratulate Horace McHugh and Lori LaVerriere as they move into their respective roles as President and President-Elect. Shannon, Horace, Lori, and I have worked hard this last year not to create a year of singular accomplishments for the President or the committee but to turn the flywheel for FCCMA and to push us from good to great. With the leadership of Horace and Lori and our incoming Secretary-Treasurer, you can expect that focus to continue.
Ok, two more thanks, so stay with me, first: our members. As managers and public servants, you have faced the unimaginable over the last year. Thank you for remaining engaged and leaning on each other when it was needed most. Second: Staff. I love y’all, and I promise not to run away unless you want me to! Carol, Casey, Chelsea, Mel, and Linda have kept this job fun for me, and we certainly needed some fun this year. Thanks all, and I am excited for the future of FCCMA. Here’s to an excellent annual conference and new beginnings!
Signing off,
Micah Maxwell
