AACPM Participation and Service - A Decade of Thoughts, Remembrances and Recollections

By Ronald L. Buchholz, CPM
ronbuchholz@charter.net

I write this article with thoughts and memories of the 20th Annual AACPM Conference in Columbus still fresh in mind. Yet, I'm also mindful that as the end of the year rapidly approaches, I am not only completing my second term of service on the Academy Board, but also a decade of participation in the activities and operations of the American Academy.

Although I earned my CPM in 1995 and joined the Wisconsin Society and Academy immediately thereafter, I did not have the opportunity to attend my first AACPM Professional Development Conference and serve as one of my Society's Delegates at the HOD Meeting until 1998. The Conference that year was hosted by the Mississippi Society and was held in Biloxi, Mississippi.

Although 10 years ago, my remembrances of that first Conference are still very vivid in my mind, and the impact of, and my reaction to, that Conference was a catalyst for my becoming more involved with the Academy.

The Academy has gone through much in the last 10 years--high points and low points. We survived the events and aftermath of the 9/11 tragedy, recovering well in Conference attendance and increasing membership and adding three new Societies, only to be followed by the current economic downturn and related conditions-- membership reduction, budget cuts and travel/training limits and prohibitions.

But as I write this article, we have bids to host the Annual Professional Development Conferences at outstanding locations through 2013, and the National CPM Consortium continues to add new CPM Programs across the country. There are now no less than four new Societies formed or being formed, and now working to secure Member Society status with the Academy. Clearly, history demonstrates that the Academy successes and challenges ebb and flow over time.

The one consistent factor that has withstood the test of time is the opportunity for every Academy member to meet, get to know and establish professional relationships and personal friendships with like-minded, dedicated public sector CPM managers from across the country. My involvement with, and participation in, AACPM activities have rewarded me with an extensive network of colleagues and friends from across the country. While too numerous to list them all, I am compelled to mention and recognize those CPM's that I had the very good fortune to serve with on the Academy Board of Directors over the last six years: Ed Burt, Julie Felice, Larry Totten, Judy Dennis, Larry Gordon, Bill Herman, Greg Hyland, Robinil Jameson, Debbie Smith, Becky Bryant, Deb Bourbeau, and Steve Mastro.

As I write this final article as the Academy's immediate Past President, my thoughts are drawn back to the events of the most recent Conference held in Columbus, Ohio. Two specific events come to mind:

• The Opening Keynote Speaker, Ben Glenn (the "Chalk Guy"), his artistry and most importantly his message; and
  
  
• The observations, comments and suggestions made by Academy Past President Dennis Magee (FL) during the HOD Meeting and the very interesting parallels between Dennis' suggestions and those offered by CPM Concept and Program Founder, Ken Henning, at the 2003 Conference Awards Banquet in Charleston, South Carolina.

Ben Glenn's chalk artistry was truly amazing, and those of you who were unable to attend the 2008 Conference missed a rare opportunity. However, his message about how best to deal with the adversity, challenges and "ugliness" (his terminology) that life presents to everyone was one that every attendee will remember and hopefully take to heart.

Dennis Magee's observations about the early history and growth of the Academy and his suggestion that the Academy now needs to review and rethink where it is and where it needs to go was most interesting and provocative. It was very similar to the challenge and charge made by CPM Program Founder Ken Henning in 2003. Hopefully, by the time this article is published, Ken's 2003 Presentation will be posted on the Academy's Web Page so every Academy Member can hear the words of our Founder and step up and take the needed actions to take the Academy to the next level in its growth.

As I complete my service to the Academy and the Board, I challenge each and every member of the Academy to maximize your opportunity to meet new CPM colleagues and friends, step forward and support and provide service to the Academy and to your fellow CPM's. Your actions will result in the Academy becoming the nationally recognized, benchmark organization for all public sector managers and leaders.

I complete my service to you as an Academy Board Member by thanking you for putting your faith and trust in me and allowing me the opportunity to serve each of you and the Academy. My heartfelt thanks and appreciation!

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