Together…a Stronger Academy

By Stephen Mastro, CPM, Academy President-Elect
SMastro@csum.edu

I just participated in my first AACPM Board meeting as one of your seven elected representatives. As one of the three new Board members, I wanted to be prepared, and   I spent the 45 days preceding the meeting by reading everything I could find relating to the areas I would be participating in. Even with all this preparation, there was much I could not know that the returning board members had accumulated from their past experiences. The returning members patiently listened to my neophyte questions, concerns, and observations. They shared information, applauded my earnest approach to addressing current Academy issues, and shared their observations from past efforts to meet the expectations of the House of Delegates. During the two-and-a-half days in San Diego, we spent every waking hour together meeting, eating, and getting to know one another. I learned much from this dedicated and talented team, and left feeling much better prepared to serve the needs of the Academy during the next three years.

Under the current bylaws and standard operating procedures, the president-elect is responsible for leading or serving on several committees, one being the Leadership Institute. The Leadership Institute initiative is working to build up steam again, and it is our hope it will really take shape during 2008. This initiative began in 2000 to provide continuing education at the conference that would prepare members to serve on Society, Academy, or community boards. The committee will continue to work towards defining a program that will recognize attendance of presentations on topics in designated leadership tracks. We hope the Leadership Institute will again have a presence at the 20th Annual Professional Development Conference to be held in September 2008 in Columbus, Ohio. Before the conference in Ohio, there is much to be done to identify track topics, delivery methods, and tracking of participation by Academy members. We have recently learned from our joint meeting with the members of the National CPM Consortium that at least one state CPM program is considering adding a “CPM with distinction” designation. Attaining this CPM level requires a CPM to participate in a documented number of hours of continuing education over a multiple year period. This may provide an opportunity to partner with Consortium members to address a mutual goal.

The Finance Committee and our Treasurer are in the process of having the 2007 records audited and the Academy tax filing completed. The Board and the Committee will work together to ensure compliance with the guidelines for budget management. Following the approval of the five dollar dues increase to begin in 2009, the Committee will prepare a budget that will show the expenses/services to be funded by the increase. The goal is to add value to the Academy membership by effective usage of these additional ongoing resources.

Another issue discussed at the recent Board meeting was strategic planning. We came to the conclusion our resources would be best utilized by focusing on the current priority issues including recruiting and retaining members and providing tangible member benefits than to expend large amounts of time and energy planning the ever-changing future. Regardless of whether you are a new member or old member, or have served on Society or Academy boards or committees, we want your feedback. To build a brighter future of the Academy, we need the input from as many members as possible. This is your organization…help shape our future.

In my message in the last newsletter, I asked that we enter into a continual dialog that will help the Board address issues of concern. I specifically discussed the desire to involve more members in Academy committees, strengthen the mentoring of societies, and increase benefits to our general membership. The Board is willing to support these general goals, but we need ideas from you on how we might accomplish these objectives. Our past leaders have already made great progress, but we can still do more to improve AACPM. You can send your comments and ideas to me at smastro@csum.edu or stevemastro@sbcglobal.net, or to any other Board member. Together, we will build a stronger Academy.

© Copyright 2008, American Association of Certified Public Managers®