By Julie Omer, MBA, CPA, CFO, MSBO Immediate Past President, Chief Financial Officer, Owosso Public Schools
Perhaps this seems a strange title for an article for MSBO and particularly one from an outgoing president. However, I often have been accused of being somewhat non-traditional so why stop now? Seriously, there is a relationship between the title, MSBO, and my theme for the year “Making a Difference” so bear with me.
Where I live in Owosso, we have a unique piece of property that is within the city limits but also has a pond and 7 acres of woods, so we have plenty of opportunity to experience nature in our own backyard. Recently, I was sitting on our upper deck and was observing the families of geese with their respective goslings as well as the interactions that they had with other creatures in the surrounding areas. As odd as this may sound it reminded me of the MSBO school communities and the similarity of the relationships and the interactions that occur. We are like the geese in that we move calmly (mostly) around our school ponds, interact with each other when we need help from our flocks, have different styles but make sure to protect the children (goslings) that are in our schools, use information and expertise to protect the financial health of our schools from predators, adapt to the changing climates that occur in our school environments (even though that may not mean flying South for the winter 😊), and are fiercely loyal to our flock through support and mentorship.
I expressed my own love for my flock (school community) through my President’s awards at the annual conference for those that not only represent important positions within our global school community, but my own personal school community. If you recall the topics from my previous MSBO eNews and Views throughout the past year, they have made a difference to me and my “pond” by:
- Continually helping me to understand and challenge why I am here both professionally and personally (October)
- Made me grateful for their leadership (November)
- Reminded me of the “Power of Words”, my own and others (December)
- Definitely are my “Heroes” (January)
- Helped me to break down a lot of complex problems (February)
- Given me freely of their extensive “gifts” (March)
The individuals that I gave my “starfish” awards to and the positions in my “pond” that they represent were:
- Andrea Tuttle, Superintendent of Owosso Public Schools
- Rick Mowen, President of the Owosso Public School Board
- Karen Van Epps, Asst. Principal Owosso High School, OPS Administrative Team
- Carrie Yoho, Director of Human Resources, Support Staff
- Cheryl Wald, past and current MSBO Board members and the person that sent me on my journey to be MSBO president
- Kelly Corbett, Deputy Superintendent of Finance and H.R., St. Johns Public schools, MSBO Colleagues
- Nancy Rasinske, MSBO Regional Groups/Committees
- Vivian Laux, Vendor Relationships
- Deneen Hansen, MSBO Staff
- Lance Omer, my husband, supportive and loving Family
I hope that you will continue to challenge yourself to recognize the ways that you can “Make a Difference” to others and how others have “Made a Difference” to you. The role we play in our pond is important and our flock needs us, just like we need them. Thank you for the opportunity to serve you as your MSBO president over the past year. I am honored to be part of the MSBO gaggle of geese! (Just to be clear, I am not calling you “bird brains” 😉, I am letting you know that I value and appreciate this flock more than words can say). Have a great summer “swimming”!
Other Articles in this Newsletter
- Business Manager Academy Gears up for 2023-24
- Expanding MSBO’s Horizons – Mary Beth Rogers
- Investing in MSBO Members Scholarship Program
- MSBO Business Manager/CPA Workshop
- MSBO Financial Statement Preparation Workshop
- MSBO Golf Outing – A Great Networking Opportunity
- MSBO Membership Renewals Coming Soon
- MSBO Update – David Martell
- Welcome New Members