By Bill Chatfield, CFD, Immediate Past President, Director of Operations, Walled Lake Consolidated Schools
The Covid President – that’s me. I didn’t expect it, nor did I appreciate it at the time, but watching a group of capable staff members and dedicated board members identify and successfully react to the challenges that a worldwide pandemic forced on all of us, filled me with pride as we adapted to meet the needs of our members. I’m proud to have had the opportunity to preside over this fantastic association during such a challenging time.
I am often asked if I am disappointed about not presiding over an in-person conference. While we all would have preferred to be in person, I take great pride in being the first – and hopefully the last – president to preside over a virtual conference. It was a short year ago that we had the one and only MSBO Virtual Annual Conference. While lacking the extracurriculars of an in-person event, that conference boasted some great educational and motivational sessions that provided much needed training, networking, and inspiration during a difficult time. And kudos to our more than 120 vendors who used their creativity to conduct a virtual trade show as best they could. The logistics, planning, rehearsals and behind the scenes sweating that went into that virtual conference will never be known to most but I beamed with pride when we were done and could not be prouder of those involved in its success.
As I wrap up my 9th and final year on the MSBO Board of Directors, I must conclude with some thank you’s. To the MSBO staff, so professional and purposeful, thank you for always seeking new ways to provide value to the membership. To my co-workers, colleagues, and fellow MSBO members, thank you for your support and encouragement. To my fellow Board members, thank you for your dedication and volunteering the many hours necessary to provide direction to the association. Finally, thank you to everybody involved in organizing the return to an in-person Annual Conference. The enthusiasm is apparent and I’m looking forward to celebrating this rejuvenation with you as we descend on Grand Rapids.
MSBO is a first-class organization, and it takes the efforts of all of us to make it that way. As many before me have said, I got far more out of my MSBO Board service than I expected and for that, thank you so much, from the COVID President.
Other Articles in this Newsletter
- Business Manager/CPA Workshop
- Dynamic Budget – Budgeting and Forecasting at Your Fingertips
- Financial Statement Preparation Workshop
- MSBO Annual Conference Week Coming Up!
- MSBO Members Approve Bylaws Amendments & Restated Articles of Incorporation
- MSBO Update – David Martell
- Passing of the Gavel and Welcoming a New Board Member
- Spring Means Transition – Dena Mayer
- Welcome New Members