 |
President's Message
- Fall Issue 2005
Real success of ACCA is in "relationships" built
In some locations there were a couple of little problems, but once again the Association's district meetings provided a great way to kick off this year and to continue to build on the strength of this Association - our close relationships with each other.
At every Association function I attend, I marvel at the relationships that have been forged between people who have little in common with each other, who see each other only at Association events and who had never met before they assumed office or were hired to work for the county. But this Association has a way of generating friendships and working relationships that transcend the usual barriers that often exist between people.
The attendance, participation and fellowship at the six district meetings this year were once again strong evidence of why this Association has been successful. Certainly those of us who are fortunate enough to hold leadership positions would like to claim all the praise - boasting that our leadership skills are the key to our accomplishments. Others might want to point to the staff in the Association office and at the county level. And still others might look at our strong affiliate groups as the secret.
But the real key, which I suppose in some ways relates to all of those other reasons, is the way we have a sense of responsibility to and for each other. Such relationships are built during training courses, ACCA events, legislative work days and steering committee meetings. And, I guess, that's the real reason I wanted to be president in the first place - to spend this year working more closely with the friends I have made during my years in office.
As we move into another year together, it seems only logical that we recommit ourselves to strengthening the relationship part of this Association. If we lose sight of that important part, then the other issues that we work on together will be much more difficult to tackle and overcome.
I guess the "exit" of former ACCA President Sam Jones earlier this year really brought this issue home to me. Everyone remembers Sam as one of the most successful and charismatic leaders of this Association. He played a key role in many, many legislative and other accomplishments at our Association. It was my pleasure to witness his ability to provide wise and insightful counsel firsthand.
But Sam wasn't there at this year's convention in August - he was busy campaigning for the office of Mayor of Mobile. A week after our convention concluded, he was successful in his election, and shortly thereafter left his seat as county commissioner for the mayor's office.
That quickly, he moved on. It happens every election year. It will happen again in November 2006. Just seven days after the polls close, there will be a new group of faces - newly elected officials who are ready to become involved and who are committed to making a difference in their counties.
Many years ago, Stan Batemon was one of those faces - fresh on the job with "great" ideas and a desire to change the world (or at least my county). The "old" folks of the Association reached out to me. They became my friend and they let me become a part of this great Association.
I don't know whose "place" I took in the Association. But certainly the work that is being carried on today by Stan Batemon was carried on by someone else a decade or so ago. And it will likely be carried on by yet another face in a few years. The same can be said for every county official and employee who holds an important role in our group today.
Over the years, we have been very diligent in reaching out to the new faces. And, again, that is one of our strengths. I worked hard this year to be sure that many new commissioners and employees were given the chance to serve on the Association's six steering committees. And I appreciate the insight they provided as we worked to develop the legislative agenda for the coming year.
But this involvement - this creation of new friendships - has always extended beyond a simple seat at a steering committee table. We have a long history of generating friendships and of taking care of each other, regardless of the existence of a county line between my house and yours.
This "friendship" started long before I arrived. Tuscaloosa County Probate Judge Hardy McCollum called it the county "family" way back when he gave his acceptance speech as President in 1995. Johnny Flowers, the Perry County Commission Chairman, talked about the close relationships that characterized his year as president.
So this is not a new idea from Stan Batemon. Those who assume leadership roles have long recognized that the Association is about relationships.
Our charge this year - as we ready to face challenges together - is to remember the importance of building on our strengths. In the coming months, reach out to a new face and to an old face that has not been active in the Association. It's what we do.
|
|
