Page 6 - The EDGE Winter 2022

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
BY BRIAN MEE
BY BRIAN MEE
Educational Opportunities Abound
e Essence of Leadership

for AASBO Members
Brian Mee

Mark Twain once said, “Really great people
It has been said that education is the passport to for the full gamut of school business and support
make you feel that you too, can be great.” When
the future and that tomorrow belongs to those operations. The ideal candidate will be within
elected as President to the Association of School

Business O cials International, I was charged
who prepare for it today. AASBO plays a key their first five years as a school business official.
with the task to come up with a theme for my
role in the education of our children, but it also The content of the Academy will be delivered

presidency. e theme I chose was something
provides myriad educational opportunities for by experienced school business officials and
I called, E3 Leadership. “If your actions inspire
others to dream more, learn more and become
our members. Our professional development state agencies.

more, you are a leader” is quote by John Quincy
programs pave the way for you to improve
Adams captures the essence of leadership and
your skills, advance in your chosen career Upon completion of the Academy, and the
lays the foundation I would like to focus on
this year as I share some of the views from my
and ultimately provide better services for the minimum one-day workshops, the cohort
messages as ASBO International President.
children and families we serve. participants will earn an Arizona School
Leadership is one of the most important
roles for school business o cials – and it is also Administrator of School Finance & Operations

one of the most challenging responsibilities.
Like each of you, AASBO never stops growing. Certificate, and upon meeting the ASBO
When it comes to leadership in our jobs, it isn’t International prerequisite criteria (which can
necessarily something we do, that is, lead. It’s
AASBO has always strived to provide our include this Academy) participants can sit for
who we are – leaders. E3 Leadership – Envision,
members with the highest of quality and the ASBO International Certified Administrator
Engage and Empower are essential elements of
leadership.
information-packed conferences and bimonthly of School Finance and Operations certification
Envision: One of the most important traits of
meetings. We believe these are the cornerstone (SFO certification). The Arizona School Business
all great leaders is the ability to have a clear vision
of our professional development program and and Operations Certificate will represent an
for their organization — a distinct and vibrant
concept of what the organization should stand
will continue to educate our diverse membership Arizona endorsement to this prestigious national
for and strive for now and in the future.
and constituency in professional best practices and international certification. It is scheduled to
Engage: Effective leaders engage all the
and promoting the highest standards in school get under way in March. Each workshop is to be
stakeholders through collaboration and soliciting
their input, considering their ideas, and taking constructive six and a half hours, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.,
Speaking of excellence, I would like to thank our
business administration.
criticism regarding the vision and the path toward its outstanding President Nate Bowler for providing a clear
and cost $1,500 for the 18-month program, plus

realization. ey weigh the stakeholders’ interests and needs and positive vision for our recently completed 66th Annual
I am pleased to announce two new professional the cost of the 10 workshops at $95 each.
Conference and Exposition – Learn from the Past, Go Forward
and align them with the vision to achieve the desired result.
Empower: One of the most important skills of every to the Future, and of course a huge thank you is due to all
development programs. One, the Aspiring
successful leader is the ability to empower others to make the speakers, vendors, volunteers and especially Ana, Audrey,
School Business Academy – in partnership with The time to register is now.
decisions that support the organization’s vision. Effective Chuck and Je for providing the outstanding foundation on
Heinfeld Meech. As stated on our website, it is
leaders grant others this decision-making authority, but they which we build this event. e keynote presentations by Josh
also provide the guidance, coaching, resources, and tools Tickell and Aron Ralston were informative and quite moving,
a cohort program designed to provide up and In addition, we are creating, in partnership with
necessary to ensure the decisions support the work of the the professional development breakout sessions provided
coming school business officials with the core The Trust, a Leadership Academy for more
organization. Success requires mutual trust and a clear vision. our members with a wealth of knowledge on a broad range of
competencies needed for them to be successful experienced school business officials whose

Leadership also involves another E: Excellence. E ective topics, and the tribute to Carolyn Warner, the iconic Arizona
leaders create an environment that expects — even demands Superintendent of Public Instruction, brought back fond
goal is to become better leaders. It’s a 12-month
with the ever-changing needs of school districts.
excellence. In that environment everyone strives to produce memories for all of us.
The in-person cohort meetings will include program with monthly meetings and the plan is
a quality product. In our case, that quality product is students I welcome new members to our Board of Directors, and
two or three in-depth topics each month for it to be up and running next fall. The focus
who have the knowledge and skills to succeed in higher applaud AASBO members who were recognized at our Annual
complemented with a minimum of 10 one-day will be on leadership skills, such as what kind
education, in the workforce and our society. If we are excellent Conference for their accomplishments.

in our supportive responsibilities, our education sta can focus Finally – a reminder. Our rst bimonthly meeting of the new

workshops to enhance the content knowledge of leader are you, how to work with governing

on their responsibilities. school year is September 11 at EVIT. You’re invited!
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6 THE EDGE WINTER 2022
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