By Mary Beth Rogers, ED.S., CFO, MSBO Immediate Past President, Executive Director of Business Services, Clarkston Community Schools
Wow this year really went fast – I guess it is true what they say, “How Time Flies When You Are Having Fun.” Fun is an understatement. I have truly enjoyed being the President this past year, definitely one of the highlights of my career. I encourage anyone thinking about applying for the MSBO Board, to do it. I have zero regrets and I believe you would too. Being President did take time out of my busy schedule but as much as I have given, I received back. I have learned so much, especially what it takes to be a great leader. I have learned a lot about leadership.
My entire focus this year has been on three initiatives: Generational Change, Mentoring and Practical Professional Development. I also asked last year that you make me accountable. I truly hope I met all your expectations. My three initiatives are the critical issues of our time. I do believe we have a good start, but we still have a long way to go. These are long-term critical issues that cannot be solved overnight, and it is very important that we keep the discussions going past my Presidency .
At the Thursday closing meeting of the Annual Conference, I turned over the torch or as we say in MSBO, pass the gavel to Stephanie Weese and I became the Immediate Past President. I want to make this promise to all of you. I will keep the discussion alive on my initiatives of Generational Change, Mentoring and Practical Professional Development. This will not be the last you have heard from me, especially in the area of Mentoring, which is what I believe is the critical issue of our time.
I would like to thank my daughter Justine, my son Andrew, my son-in-law Jim and my grandkids Charlie and Theo. They fill my heart with so much love and are the best – just saying. I also would like to thank Clarkston Community Schools, MSBO staff, MSBO Board and MSBO members for all of your encouragement and support and for allowing me to be the 86th MSBO President. I am humbled and very honored.
As my Presidency comes to an end, I want to reshare these final thoughts from the motivational keynote speaker Kim Becking, at the SWMSBO conference this past March:
- You are allowed to be excited.
- You are allowed to realize you are not alone.
- You are allowed to laugh.
- You are allowed to give yourself grace.
- You are allowed to learn to ask for help.
- You are allowed to make a difference.
- You are allowed: To Be You!
And remember:
- You are Amazing!
- You are Awesome!
- You are a Rock Star!
Other Articles in this Newsletter
- ASBO Offers Leadership Opportunity
- Ed Stasiak Reappointed as Associate Member Representative to the MSBO Board
- Embrace the Challenges Before Us – Stephanie Weese
- Financial Statement Preparation Workshop
- Get Hands-on Knowledge in School Finance
- MSBO Business Manager/CPA Workshop
- MSBO Update – Robert Dwan
- Welcome New Members