FROM THE PRESIDENT
VOLUNTEER
AND PAY IT
FORWARD
KAREN WIESMAN, RTSBA, Ed.D., CPA
TASBO BOARD PRESIDENT
D
Don’t you love annual
conference? I always feel
energized after the conference—it’s a time to reconnect with other business officials, gain new knowledge,
validate what you already knew, and
plan what needs to happen next. But
all this doesn’t happen without YOU
as an active member of TASBO.
Whether you are a new or seasoned
school business official, you have a
role in TASBO. When I first started
in school business, I had my “go-to”
friends and mentors. If I wanted to
know how another district handled a
situation—whether a sample journal
entry or a different travel form—I
knew I could count on someone in
TASBO who was in the same situation to have a solution for my question.
As you progress in your career, ask
yourself, “Have I given as much as I
have received?” TASBO is based on
volunteers. It is true that TASBO has
staff for the day-to-day operations of
the organization, but our heart and
soul is our membership. None of us
would be where we are without a
mentor—or several mentors! School
business has many anomalies not
present in other governments or
entities. Without a mentor to guide
us and be available for questions, we
would have a hard time navigating
these unique situations. So, what’s
next on your agenda?
I challenge all of you to consider
TASBO is based on volunteers. It is true that TASBO
has staff for the day-to-day
operations of the organization, but our heart and soul
is our membership.
what you have to give back to TASBO. In many of the classes that I’ve
taught, I have encouraged members
to consider becoming instructors.
But that’s not the only role available:
Curriculum writing is an
initiative that is currently underway
to improve our content. This can
be done in the comfort of your own
8
home—pajama day, here we come!
Panel discussions are an
easy transition to teaching—just get
three or four peers to discuss a hot
topic and everyone will have a great
time tossing ideas around.
Conferences, Academies,
Workshops, and Webinars—all of
these afford the opportunity to dip
your toes into public speaking for
less than an hour—in the company
and support of your peers.
TASBO Connect— Ask and
you shall receive! Post your questions
or ideas or solutions to questions
posed by other members. This is a
vital part of our networking. Remember, if you have a question, the odds
are that you are not alone.
Mentoring—you can be a
mentor either through a formal process with TASBO or within your own
district or organization. As business
officials, we need to plan for the
future by considering not only the
financial needs, but also the staffing
needs of our districts. Take time with
your staff to increase their knowledge
and stretch their capabilities
Certification courses—Please
consider becoming an instructor.
TASBO assists with training and
support for instructors, so you’re
not in this alone. No one jumps into
teaching. Start small by participating
in a panel discussion or a presentation at one of the conferences or
academies.
So, here’s your challenge: As you
think back on your experiences with
TASBO, reflect on those occasions
that have made an impact on your
career. Then, think of the individuals
who contributed to those experiences.
In the words of John F. Kennedy,
“We must find time to stop and thank
the people who make a difference in
our lives.” And to paraphrase another John F. Kennedy quote, “Ask not
what your country (TASBO) can do
for you; ask what you can do for your
country (TASBO).” There is no better
way to thank those individuals who
contributed their time and knowledge
to your career than to pay it forward!
TASBO REPORT | MAY 2015