Leadership is a Behavior, Not a Position - It’s Time To Serve.

By Deborah J. Smith, CPM
debbie.smith@okdhs.org

“Leadership is a Behavior, Not a Position” is a quote used by Carolyn Schaefer, CPM in a previous newsletter issue. This quote rang home with me when I first read it a few years back and I spend a few minutes each day in its reflection before starting my day. When preparing to discuss the opportunity with you for serving at the at the national level of the American Academy of Certified Public Managers®, I decided serving at national level went hand in hand with that message. It truly is not about the position one holds, but the fact that members who step up to run for office also possess the true meaning of this quote. They are not simply satisfied with the status quo and are selfless with their mentoring, coaching, and encouragement of others. They run for office and are willing to serve others because “leadership” is a behavior that is deep in their heart, mind, and soul. Leaders are born to step up, to step out, and to serve. Leaders know that it is not the reward they receive for the work they do, it is what they become and feel inside as a result of it.

I can speak to this personally; without stepping up, I would have lost the opportunity to continue my professional development. I would have lost the opportunity to development many new relationships and build the size of my network with other public managers and members of the Consortium. I would not possess the experience of meeting challenges head on that can only happen when working with members across our great nation. And most of all, as a result “I would not feel different or better inside”. But I share with you that I do feel different and better inside and each of these items are greater for me. In the last issue, I said, “I would serve again on the board in a heart beat”, so don’t think the AACPM experience is behind me. I plan to serve and provide value at some level far into the future.

Now let’s focus more on you and your participation in available board seats in the governance of the AACPM, program activities and on committees. These actions really enhance the benefits received by you and others from the Academy membership as a whole.

In 2006, there will be three (3) Board seats up for election. Those positions are President-Elect, Treasurer and Member-at-Large/Conferences and Communications. The President-Elect’s position is a three-year commitment (one year as President-elect, one year as President and one year as Past President), while the terms for Treasurer and Member-at-Large are both two-years in length. The election will be conducted as part of the annual House of Delegates (HOD) meeting on Wednesday, September 13, 2006 in Louisville, Kentucky with service beginning on January 1, 2007.

The Academy’s Officers and Board Members serve as trustees to our commitment to public service as an honorable calling and to the Academy as a moral, economically viable and dynamic organization.

AACPM members are committed to treating each other with dignity and respect, and we work to provide all officers and members with tools and assistance as needed tomake the contributions that give meaning to service.

I commend each and every Academy officer, board and committee member with whom I have the privilege and honor to serve, and I commend each and every Academy officer who went before my tenure for serving our great organization and for leaving the process model for those of us who followed. It has been a rewarding and meaningful experience to work with these individuals for the betterment of the Academy and the Certified Public Manager® program and will remain a highlight of my life.

Now it is time for you to consider volunteering your leadership skills, talent, experience, time, heart, mind, and soul in service to the Academy. You will find information elsewhere in this Newsletter and in the Academy’s By-Laws (posted on the Web Page www.cpmacademy.org) and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) regarding the service opportunities and the positions that will be on the 2006 ballot. I strongly encourage and highly recommend you become involved and run for one of the Academy offices this year and to serve on one of the committees.

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