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<< back to the 2001 archive listing << Dairy, Food and Environmental Sanitation Postcards from Iowa, December 2001 What more could you be doing, that would be fun and beneficial to both you
and IAFP? I can’t believe the year is almost over! How many times have you heard that in the last few weeks? For me, it seems like the last few months are a blur, trying to do all of the things that are necessary for IAFP, my job and my family. But other than a little more time off, I wouldn’t change it. This has been one of the most rewarding times of my life, and I am grateful for the opportunities that I have been given. While we are thinking about opportunities, think about the opportunities that IAFP has to offer you. This may seem like an odd time to consider it, but the point of our organization is to have people involved. We want YOU! Not your dues, (although we do encourage you to pay them!), but your involvement. When we look at the members who are actively involved in comparison to our total members, we find that a lot of our members are good, regular dues-paying members who have never participated beyond coming to an annual meeting. And if your comfortable with that, that’s fine. There is room for everyone in our organization. But think about what you are missing! What more could you be doing, that would be fun and beneficial to both you and IAFP? I would like to encourage you to think about that over the holidays. We grow and improve by adding new members, but also by having our long term members get involved in the organization. So what can you do? Look at our professional development groups, and contact the ones that you are interested in. You may find that they are not doing what you are interested in, but you may well find a group that is "right up your alley." The reason that I would ask you to start this now, is that if you wait until annual meeting, it will be too late. By the time you attend a few PDG meetings, you may find that you have missed the very one you should have gone to. Do a little homework before the meeting, and you will get more out of it. And what about other activities? Our President-elect, Anna Lammerding, will be making recommendations for committee appointments at the April Executive Board meeting. If you have an interest in say, the Program Committee or a Journal Management Committee the Nominating Committee, contact Anna and let her know. We need more of our members involved in these activities. We are always trying to involve people who haven’t been previously involved, but sometimes it helps if you raise your hand and volunteer. Again, it isn’t too early to start thinking about these things. Finally, I know it has been a trying year for all of us, and many of us are facing budget restrictions in both our professional and personal lives. However, if you are so inclined, send a contribution off to the Foundation Fund. The Foundation Fund is IAFP’s future, and besides, you’ll warm Harry Haverland’s heart. I’ll leave you with this. The other evening as I was pre-occupied with a troublesome issue as I was driving home. Our state is one of many that have been affected by the economic difficulties of the last several months, and our university and my department have been trying to resolve the budget reductions. I barely noticed the geese on an abandoned rock quarry that I drive by, and would have completely missed seeing the deer if one hadn’t run across the road in front of me. I was thinking about how grim the situation was, and about how difficult life could be at times. As I came down the hill toward my house, I saw something brightly colored moving in the driveway. It took me a few seconds to realize that it was one of my daughters who was outside playing, and right then I forgot about solving the budget equations. Life isn’t so hard if we keep our priorities set on the things that really matter. May you and your family enjoy the Holiday Season. Same time, next month. |