Page 7 - The EDGE Winter 2024 WEB

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
BY BRIAN MEE
BY BRIAN MEE
Looking Forward to Another Great Year
e Essence of Leadership

Brian Mee

Mark Twain once said, “Really great people
The past year has been challenging, but as we usher
make you feel that you too, can be great.” When
in 2024, we are filled with hope and optimism for Our Professional Development Committee has
elected as President to the Association of School

Business O cials International, I was charged

the future. As we know, 2023 has been a year of always played a critical role in driving the success
with the task to come up with a theme for my
success and growth for our association and for of our association. Comprising experienced
presidency. e theme I chose was something

school business officials. Increasing our membership, school business officials and education experts,
I called, E3 Leadership. “If your actions inspire
others to dream more, learn more and become
in-person conferences, academies, and institutes, the committee brings a wealth of knowledge

more, you are a leader” is quote by John Quincy and expertise. The committee works tirelessly
our partnerships, virtual webinars, and our member-
Adams captures the essence of leadership and
driven approach to professional development have to identify relevant topics, secure engaging and
lays the foundation I would like to focus on
enabled us to provide top-notch resources and support knowledgeable speakers, and develop interactive
this year as I share some of the views from my
messages as ASBO International President.
to our members. As we enter a promising 2024, our sessions addressing school business officials'
Leadership is one of the most important
association remains committed to assisting school current challenges. The committee also ensures that

roles for school business o cials – and it is also
business officials through various platforms such as the professional development opportunities offered
one of the most challenging responsibilities.
conferences, workshops, SFO academies, bi-monthly by our association are aligned with the constantly
When it comes to leadership in our jobs, it isn’t
necessarily something we do, that is, lead. It’s
meetings, webinars, and institutes. Our commitment to evolving educational landscape. Their efforts have
who we are – leaders. E3 Leadership – Envision,
our members, vendors, and staff has been unwavering, resulted in an array of successful conferences, which
Engage and Empower are essential elements of
and we are determined to build upon our successes and serve as a platform for school business officials to
leadership.
make 2024 a year of even greater achievements. network, learn, and grow.
Envision: One of the most important traits of
all great leaders is the ability to have a clear vision
for their organization — a distinct and vibrant
One of the key reasons for our association's success Along with our PD Committee, our Membership
concept of what the organization should stand
has been our member-driven approach to professional Committee plays a vital role in supporting our
for and strive for now and in the future.
Engage: Effective leaders engage all the
development. Our programs and resources are members. You – our members – are the backbone
stakeholders through collaboration and soliciting
designed based on the needs and interests of our of our association, and your active involvement
their input, considering their ideas, and taking constructive Speaking of excellence, I would like to thank our
members, ensuring that they receive relevant and and engagement are crucial in driving our success.
criticism regarding the vision and the path toward its outstanding President Nate Bowler for providing a clear
valuable information. We understand that the role of The Membership Committee strives to provide
realization. ey weigh the stakeholders’ interests and needs and positive vision for our recently completed 66th Annual

and align them with the vision to achieve the desired result. Conference and Exposition – Learn from the Past, Go Forward
school business officials is ever-evolving, and it is our members with a sense of community and
Empower: One of the most important skills of every to the Future, and of course a huge thank you is due to all
our responsibility to equip them with the necessary belonging. They work tirelessly to ensure that
successful leader is the ability to empower others to make the speakers, vendors, volunteers and especially Ana, Audrey,
skills and knowledge to excel in their roles. Through our members feel valued and supported, whether
decisions that support the organization’s vision. Effective Chuck and Je for providing the outstanding foundation on
our member surveys, feedback from our sessions, it is by answering their queries, addressing their
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,
and word of mouth, we gather insights into the needs concerns, or facilitating networking opportunities.
necessary to ensure the decisions support the work of the the professional development breakout sessions provided
of our members, which helps us curate and deliver The committee also works toward increasing
organization. Success requires mutual trust and a clear vision. our members with a wealth of knowledge on a broad range of
impactful and targeted professional development membership and reaching out to potential members

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
opportunities. This approach has enabled our who could benefit from our resources and support.
excellence. In that environment everyone strives to produce memories for all of us.
members to stay updated with the new trends and Their dedication and hard work have helped us
a quality product. In our case, that quality product is students I welcome new members to our Board of Directors, and
developments in the education industry and has grow our association and establish a strong network
who have the knowledge and skills to succeed in higher applaud AASBO members who were recognized at our Annual
contributed to their success. of school business officials.
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
CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

on their responsibilities. school year is September 11 at EVIT. You’re invited!
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6 THE EDGE | BACK TO SCHOOL 2019