Leadership Notes

Strive for Excellence in Leadership!

by Greg Jordan, NIRSA President

The 2005 Annual Conference is now history, but I think it would be appropriate to recognize all of our NIRSA colleagues who served our association this year in a leadership capacity. Whether you present at a state, regional or national education program, serve on a committee or work team, volunteer at a championship event, serve as a state director or state student rep, monitor a session, or act on any of the countless opportunities needed to conduct the programs and services NIRSA provides, thank you. Without the dedication and commitment from hundreds of our members, our NIRSA would not be what it is today.

Dr. Dennis Kimbro challenged us at the People of Color Social by saying "service is the price you pay for the space you occupy." And to me, service in the capacities mentioned above is leadership. So while we are still celebrating the successes of this last year, its time again to "pay up" through service to our NIRSA. We have the chance to catch up over the summer, but that is where so much of the planning really happens.

About six weeks prior to the annual conference, I received an email from Dr. Tom Jones, a NIRSA Past President, Honor Award recipient, long time director at Central Michigan University, and a mentor to me and countless others. Tom was providing some well-timed advice regarding the path that lies ahead this upcoming year. He shared some observations that I believe apply to all of our leaders in our NIRSA, as well as in daily work on our campus. I had a chance to share this information with the state directors and student leaders while in Orlando. The message is a strong one that is appropriate for all.

Dr. Jones advised that:

"... every person in a leadership role has felt that they could have been better prepared, could do more things, could talk to some more people about issues, could get more organized, could lay out more detailed explanations for a member ... if only there was more time. Reality is there is never enough time to do everything. Do the best you can do, leave something for the next person, and set your goals as excellence but not perfection and leave the place better than you found it. Most of all be open, honest and fair. Communicate, don't withhold information, and always tell the truth. It takes lots of members to make things happen, so be a leader and just lead!"

I would encourage and challenge all NIRSA leaders to embrace these statements from one of our most experienced leaders!

Finally, while attending an American Society of Association Executive seminar in January, the facilitator, Glenn Tecker, ended the day and a half session with a quote he has on the wall. So I'll leave you today with the same quote, as it says so much.

No matter at what capacity you lead in our NIRSA, or not matter what position you hold on your respective campus, we could learn and practice these words:

Cherish the opportunity to serve your association in the capacity you have been chosen to do so; have fun; and do everything possible to do both at the same time

Enjoy your summer months and the opportunity to plan ahead for next year!