As much of the country endures a historic winter storm, it is easy for my mind to look forward to the coming spring and summer that will bring with it a sense of renewal, reset, and growth. Similarly in our roles, the spring semester often brings a time of managing the day-to-day work, while looking forward to a season of refreshing following officer training, conference travel, and wrapping up a busy academic year. Although it can be difficult during these busy months to consider the strategy behind our work, it is important that we reflect on these periods of intensity to identify necessary adjustments. What work could shift to another time? What is taking time without a clear, positive impact? How can we communicate differently to avoid confusion and redundancies? Processing the way we do our work during times of stress can help us to better utilize the periods of preparation.
In similar ways, the AFA board considers what Association initiatives can have the most impact on our members and the fraternal movement. In particular as we look towards the end of our current strategic plan, the celebration of our 50th anniversary, and the final year of our foundation’s largest capital campaign, it can be easy to feel that there is too much to do in too little time. Just like all of you in the day to day work of fraternity and sorority, it is vital that we remember that we have prepared for these moments.
The strategic plan provides us a clear outline of our priorities, helping to avoid being swayed by momentary challenges. A dedicated group of volunteers are able to dig into specific needs to keep the work of the Association balanced among multiple initiatives. Our talented staff maintain a high level of organization and consistency that allow for efficient work and purposeful output. This balanced structure of strategy, project management, and day to day operations is itself a result of previous leadership reflecting on the challenges of the time and realizing there needed to be a significant shift in the way the Association operated in order to best use the talents and capacities of our staff and volunteers to serve the needs of our members.
As you navigate one of our busiest seasons, I hope that you take the time to reflect on what is working, what needs to shift, and how you can set yourself and your organization up for future success. You can rest assured knowing that the AFA Board of Directors is working diligently to not only navigate the busy year ahead, but to consider the strategy needed for our continued success over the next 50 years.