By Julie Omer, MBA, CPA, CFO, MSBO Immediate Past President, Assistant Superintendent of Business Services, Walled Lake Consolidated Schools
Transitions challenge us to adapt, to stretch beyond our comfort zones, and to embrace the unknown with courage and resilience. They invite us to reflect on where we’ve been, where we’re going and what we hope to accomplish. As I transition off of the MSBO Board, it offers an opportunity for me to reflect on my experience on the Board and whether I met the goals that I thought that I would now that I am at the end of this journey.
I can’t say that I set SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-Bond) goals for myself at the beginning of my tenure on the Board. However, I did ask the question of the person that asked me to run “do you think that I can make a difference”. I don’t believe that I would be capable of making a fair assessment of whether I achieved that goal or not, even though it was my mantra during my year as president. However, I can say that my personal goals of developing my leadership skills, meeting exemplary people like those that served with me on the MSBO Board, developing a deeper understanding of the MSBO organization, forming some wonderful and meaningful friendships, connecting with my MSBO colleagues in a different way than I had previously, understanding even more how amazing the MSBO staff is and developing a wider network in the school community were all certainly met and exceeded. I certainly will miss the opportunities that being on the Board afforded me, including the fulfillment of my personal goals. I will also treasure forever the long-lasting impact of the experience on who I am now.
In looking ahead to what this transition will mean for me, one certainty is that I no longer will have to worry about writing something meaningful (if I ever did) in the MSBO newsletter 😊. Seriously, I know that I will continue the journey of being a life-long learner, forming connections and leaning on MSBO for guidance in my professional endeavors. I am eternally grateful to all of you for giving me the gift of being on the MSBO Board. As you move through your life’s transitions (including the professional ones), I hope that you will be able to look at them through a lens of gratitude and an attitude of how you can make a difference.