President's Message | Archives
More to do
One of my favorite lines in the song, “Circle of Life,” from Walt Disney’s The Lion King is:
There’s more to see than can ever be seen; more to do than can ever be done.
Looking ahead
Oftentimes this line serves as a source of motivation for me, but it also reminds me to plan ahead. The American Angus Auxiliary and state auxiliaries across the country now have the opportunity to plan ahead as we look toward implementing the bylaw changes that were approved at our 2007 annual meeting.
The biggest change is the addition of six regional directors to our Executive Committee. The regional directors will be elected by a majority vote at the annual meeting in November, and the Nominating Committee will assist each region in selecting up to two candidates from its region. The Nominating Committee will develop a process for this, but in the meantime, we need each Auxiliary member to begin thinking of candidates from their region. The regional directors will serve a two-year term and can be elected for two consecutive terms. Their responsibilities will include:
- assisting states without organized auxiliaries in setting up a state auxiliary;
- recruiting members from their region;
- improving communication between the American Angus Auxiliary and state and regional Angus auxiliaries;
- keeping contact lists up to date;
- securing state contacts in all states without organized auxiliaries; and
- attending annual, midyear and Executive Committee meetings of the American Angus Auxiliary.
I envision regional directors also serving as informal mentors to the state auxiliaries. They will be able to help bring information to your state or simply lend an ear when you need someone with whom to talk Auxiliary business.
If you have any questions about the regional directors, please don’t hesitate to contact one of the officers. We feel this change will be valuable for our organization, and when change is put into a positive perspective, it turns from a challenge into an opportunity for success. The directors will be a positive addition to our team as we work together toward a common vision.
The current officers will also be attending several upcoming shows, sales and meetings in their parts of the country, so if you would like for us to visit with your Auxiliary leadership, members or potential members, please let us know. We are only a phone call or e-mail away, and we would enjoy learning more about your auxiliary and the interests and concerns you have.
Recruit and encourage
I would like to encourage interested persons to join their state and/or regional auxiliaries and the American Angus Auxiliary. A membership form for our Auxiliary is available on our web site at www.angusauxiliary.com or through any officer or Pam Patterson, our membership chair, who will be glad to send you a membership brochure. Patterson can be contacted at 406-445-2332. A form was also included in our annual report, which was in the February issue of the Angus Journal. Annual dues are $10, and lifetime dues are $100.
High school graduating seniors who have been active junior Angus members have been busy completing American Angus Auxiliary scholarship applications. Be sure to check with your state scholarship contact, listed on our web site, for your state’s due date. The scholarship application, complete instructions and the score sheet are all available on our web site. If you do not have a state or regional contact person listed, please contact the national chair, Michelle Rieff, at 479-795-2584.
Learn and enjoy
Easter is just around the corner, and my prediction is for a snowy Michigan Easter. If possible, take some time out of the busy spring sale and calving season to enjoy your family and friends.
Also be sure to check out our Angus Sale Barn on the web site for great gifts. Cathy Miller and her committee have a wonderful assortment of items that are perfect for everything from buyer appreciation gifts to Easter surprises. Yvonne Hinman chairs the Harvey Rattey Sculpture project, and these make great show awards and gifts. More information is available on the web site by clicking on the Angus Sale Barn and then going to Auxiliary Exclusives. When orders are placed through the Auxiliary, we receive a portion of the proceeds.
The officer team is looking forward to our third annual officer meeting/retreat at the American Angus Association March 17-19. Spending several days together and having the opportunity to meet with some of the committee chairs, American Angus Association staff, Angus Productions Inc. (API) staff and Angus Foundation staff has proved very valuable the past two years. This year is full of excitement and enthusiasm for the American Angus Auxiliary. We are looking forward to having time to discuss our goals and current and new programs for 2008, as well as getting to know everyone better.
