AGA TOPICS Newsletter
From the
National President
Jeffrey
S. Hart, CGFM, CFE
We
just completed the first of four “Sectional Leadership Meetings”
(SLMs) and received rave reviews from the AGA leaders in Section IV!
For the first time we brought together chapter, regional and
national volunteer AGA leaders and key members of our National
Office staff to meet over two days in beautiful Lexington, KY. This
first SLM was held March 30–31 immediately preceding the equally
successful Southeastern Regional PDC led by RVP Phil Nally, CGFM,
and Central Kentucky Chapter President Mary Hudson. Phil and Mary
showered us all with their wonderful Blue Grass hospitality
including an exciting trip to the Kentucky Horse Park where I
experienced my first polo match, an excellent meal and entertainment
by a local dance troupe of cloggers.
We will hold
a SLM in each of the other three sections later this spring. It is
our goal to use these new annual meetings to enhance the ability of
all AGA leaders to lead our Association and our profession into the
future.
When I wrote
my last column, I was on my way to New Orleans. While I had hoped
that I might bring an inspirational AGA message to the chapters,
what actually happened was that I have been inspired by the
dedication and commitment of our members and what they do for AGA
and our profession day in and day out. Nowhere was this more true
than in my visit to a joint meeting of the New Orleans and Baton
Rouge Chapters.
I must say
that I was shocked and moved by the devastation that remains,
especially in East New Orleans and the Ninth Ward. I saw mile after
mile of severely damaged and destroyed homes, apartment complexes
and businesses of all sorts including hospitals, schools, shopping
centers, restaurants and gas stations. It was hard to believe that
so many places remained uninhabitable and boarded up after almost a
year and a half. I couldn’t count the number of FEMA trailers still
parked in front yards and in makeshift trailer parks all over the
city. Jullin Renthrope, CGFM, an AGA Past National President, just
moved back into his rebuilt home the weekend before my visit.
In spite of
the fact that many of our members in New Orleans are still in the
process of rebuilding their homes and their lives, 60 of them came
out for an AGA dinner meeting. Were they sad and depressed because
of all they had been through and all they had left to do? Not in the
least. They were smiling, enthusiastic and grateful that I had come
to see them. Yes, I was inspired by them.
In fact, I’d like to lead a
group of AGA volunteers from around the country to go to New Orleans
as a national community service project. In consultation with the
New Orleans chapter, we’ve selected the week of June 3 to go. You
can come for a day, a weekend, or the whole week. You choose. We are
planning to have three different ways we can serve: (1) build a
house with Habitat for Humanity, (2) act as an advocate to help
residents get the insurance or other help that they need or (3)
provide personal financial counseling to residents. Most costs of
room and meals will be covered once we get there. We are also
looking into free or low cost airfare for those of us too far away
to drive. Will you please join me in this worthwhile project? Drop
me an email at jeffshart@comcast.net
to sign up or just get more
information.
I’m now in
Nashville, the site of our June 24-27 Professional Development
Conference where another group of enthusiastic and fun-loving AGA
members took me out for a fun night on the town. We shared a
delicious meal, heard two great country western bands at a
honky-tonk called “Tootsies” and finished up with a little karaoke
at “Nashville Nights.” So I’ve warmed the town up for us, and we can
all count on having a good time here in Music City USA!
Let's
Stay Excited!
Jeff Hart
AGA National President