A few thoughts from me

NASPA, ACPA and the aftermath..

2011-04-29T07:23:00.001-07:00

So I have been asked often what my take was on the idea of consolidation and what I thought of it.

Well, I was and still am in the consolidation is not a good idea camp. I say "still am" is because my fear is that this will come up again in 5 years rather than the "let's address this and be done with it stance" that was taken by many before the vote occurred.

Does this mean I don't think there should be collaboration between the 2 groups? No, there should be collaboration

Does this mean that I want to throw darts at and hate on ACPA? Not in the least..

I will disclaim my thoughts with the sheer fact that I was privy to the same information that most of you were and there was likely more information out there that I either just didn't see, or was not in a position to have access too but to summarize a few of my thoughts.

* I don't believe a lot of the logic behind "bigger is better". I don't believe a mega association would have been able to account for everyone who wanted to volunteer effectively. Getting involved and having opportunities to go to the topical conferences when space is already at a premium becomes even more at a premium. How does that develop the field effectively? Have 2 of the same? Then where is the cost savings in that?

*Two competing voices in the public policy arena. You don't have to have one organization to have a collaborative voice. It's not unusual to see collaborative lobbying efforts by institutions in the government structures, so why can that not be applicable to associations?

*From a wide, wide swath of people I heard nothing but logistical concerns after the last joint meeting between ACPA/NASPA. Things such as:
*exceptional waits for transportation between facilities
*individuals who stayed at one facility as opposed to the other and thus skipped 1/2 of the conference

*the ability to connect with colleagues being hampered because of the width and depth of the volume of people there.

*So how would a mega association have been able to manage these logistical challenges?

I could go further into my hesitancies for why I felt a mega association would have been bad, but that's not what concerns me the most right now. The thing that bothers me the most is the rhetoric that has happened post vote.

*Leadership did what they thought was right by taking a "no stance" stance
*Members voted how they felt to my knowledge no one was bribed, bullied, etc. into the stance
they took
*This was not a step backwards
*And it certainly did not position one association ahead of the other has has been alluded too..

There have been a handful of leaders calling for civility but also use this as an opportunty to move each association forward and I couldn't agree more. It may be time too to analyze the focus of each organization and audiences served. No one person or group can be all things to all people and that may be part of the problem for both groups right now. I don't know..

I'm glad the results came out the way they did, now let's get beyond feelings and get both groups ahead..

Behind in more ways than one

2011-01-23T04:09:00.001-08:00

Ok, so I will plead guilty of failure to keep up with this blog, I'll work to do better this year.

Directness and how we seem to have lost it

2010-09-05T18:48:00.001-07:00

Somewhere along the line it seems to me we may have lost the ability to face each other as adults and with that how to agree to disagree sometimes. This I think is detrimental to all of us individually and collectively a a community.

How do you progress ideas if you can't do that?
How do you explore perspectives if you can't do that?
How do you approach things with anything remotely appearing to be honest dialogue?

I don't know that I know the answer to that question honestly.

I guess that's why it has bothered me lately that I have been dramatically unable to get those straight answers alot lately and I mean alot.

Honesty and directness don't kill you they only make you stronger.

Thanks Jodi, I appreciate your forthrightness-you are one of the few lately!

Ode to a dog

2009-11-11T11:18:00.000-08:00

I think one of the things that we sometimes take for granted is the unconditional acceptance and friendship that comes from pets we have, more in particular dogs and I suppose cats would be included in that as well.

They greet you when you come home, are sad when you are away. They look forward to playtime and are there when there needs to be quiet time as well.

All they ask is to be taken care of.
All they ask for is your support.
Feed them, let them go to the bathroom..
Exercise with them from time to time...

They see you through good times and bad, sad and happy. Highs and lows of all kinds..

You get accustomed to them, same as you do friends and family.
You talk to them, same as with friends
In their own way they talk about to you too, albeit silently and through expression, they do.

Typically, unless something goes wrong, you usually don't have to many of them, maybe a few over the course of a time.

Each one of them has their own personality, and their own approach to their relationship with you.

That doesn't make any of them any less important than the other.

It doesn't make it hurt any less than when they go either.

You lose a friend..
You lose someone who knows you, maybe even better than you know yourself.

They are as human sometimes, as you or I..

Thank you Barkley and Biscuit for being you.
You are missed..

So it has been awhile on this one, and people really some times just make me mad...

2009-10-11T09:14:00.000-07:00

Well, it has been a bit since I have been able to get on here, for various reasons...Between work, travel, family, and just day-to-day, it's been problematic to get on here. We were almost a month behind on the family blog too if that tells you anything :S

It's no excuse though, we should keep up with things like this that connect us with our friends both near and far..unfortunately, like all of us, we get bogged down in the minutia of what's going on and affects us directly.

Alot of things are officially, "up in the air" and we play things day by day right now..Don't know for sure what is going to change or how it will, we just know it's coming..

With that, self-righteous people have been really irritating me lately. I have had to deal with a number of situations where those who think they know what is going on make decisions and they don't know...really gets under your crawl.

Contradictions in terms

2009-08-15T20:11:00.000-07:00

While it has been a while since I have written here I must say that it is not for a lack of things going on, quite the opposite though it is more due to me having had to much going on.

Recently, we learned of the death of an Aunt of mine, someone who while we didn't necessarily speak everyday and also did not have the closest of close relationships. She was someone who you knew would be there for you if you needed her. Someone who understood what family truly meant.

Against that backdrop we celebrate the impending arrival of our son. Something we are both excited for. Why is it, that I see these as a complete contradiction in terms? Is it true that for every yen there is a yang? Why is it that such a good feeling can be beset by such down thoughts and feelings? Is this the balance you must seek in the force? I have not nearly enough answers and too many questions..

Mr. President, please stick to the issues

2009-07-23T09:42:00.000-07:00

It has been awhile since I have had a chance to chime in on this blog, but I have a few minutes today. After the press conference last night by President Obama, I have to say, Mr. President, please stick to the issues you can impact.

I fundamentally agree with the concept that health reform does need to be addressed, while that is another topic for another time, Mr. President, why did you allow such an important topic to be derailed by the Skip Gates issue? I understand wanting to stick up for your friends, but, you are the President. You don't have that luxury to be able to wade in on behalf of your friends, you have to be ABOVE that.

Last time I checked that was a municipality issue and did not warrant the attention of the President, last time I checked you didn't have all the facts and figures (by your own admission), late time I checked the timeline of events and actions for that timeframe suggest that Dr. Gates may have brought this on himself.

Please stick to the issues you can impact Mr. President and don't wade into issues that are delegated for others.

Really, really impressed with the LPGA Players

2009-07-06T09:28:00.001-07:00

I must clarify this post with some disclaimers first.

*I will go after celebrity autographs with the best of them and have had the chance to meet many celebrities ranging from political figures to pro athletes.

*I am truthfully trying to express a sincere sentiment here in just a second..

Ok, on to the post...after spending Friday-Sunday at the Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic LPGA Tournament in Toledo, I was really impressed with the LPGA players...Really...

Not so much for their athletic ability, which was amazing in and of itself but because of what they were doing off the links..

Those women supported each other, they were collegial as others went by. It was telling I think just to watch their interactions as the ninth green finishers passed the folks on the first tee. Usually it was "how you doing", "play well on the back", some form of supportive sentiment.

It was very clear that the players in contention were giving 110% to winning and weren't letting up by the emotion they expressed.

Several of the players during their final round were "sporting" Toledo gear of some sort.

Not once, not once during the course of the three days we were there did I see a Tour player turn down an autograph request or tell someone "not now" or just ignore them all together. Even though some were attempting to warm up for final rounds! I have seen the brush off happen more than I can count in the past with the guys (guy athletes in general).

The players engrossed themselves in the community. several doing service work, visiting area "Attractions", or, eating amongst the locals! (we saw several one night out at an area restaurant).

These women in addition to the athletic talent they displayed also put on display another committment and that was a committment to the fans and the people who came to watch them play, and put on a quality show they did! They very clearly valued the community and valued the fans, which is not something I can say for a significant portion of the celebrities whose paths I have come across.

So, thank you to the Tour players for coming to Toledo, your committment to the game and to the people. You have won at least one convert to the LPGA. Hopefully, we'll be able to see you again in Toledo next year.

The death of a great American...

2009-07-04T17:14:00.000-07:00

We learned yesterday of the passing of Dr. John L. Blackburn of the University of Alabama, University of Denver, and former President of the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators. With his passing, a chapter in history continues to fade from live memory.

Dr. Blackburn, as some may not know, was Dean of Men at the University of Alabama during the time of the infamous "stand in the school house door". Through his work and the foresight or I guess you could say tenacity of a number of the student leaders of the time, no student injuries, etc. etc. occurred during that time frame.

I first met Dr. Blackburn during March 2003 at the NASPA conference in Denver. I met him and got to know who he was, and in a span of about 30 minutes, was asked, oh yeah, by the way, can you accept an award on his behalf? Keep in mind too, this was my first ever NASPA conference too. A little intimidating but an honor none the less.

Over the course of the next three years I had the opportunity to interact with Dr. Blackburn on several occasions as he made his home in Tuscaloosa. Each time, was an education in manner, decorum, leadership, any number of qualities. Believe me, you were crazy if you didn't try and soak up everything humanly possible. That of course, is what I sought to do.

The last interaction that I had with him was roughly a year ago, when he supported our efforts to have Dr. Kathleen Cramer from Alabama named a NASPA Pillar of the Profession. Yet again, he showed his leadership by aiding with us and supporting a truly worthy individual.

Students of higher education are at a loss as of yesterday, administrators or at a loss, the entire community of education is at a loss. This repository of experience is now gone, we must continue to learn from the record which he has left us.

Godspeed Dr. Blackburn, you are an educator for the ages and have earned your place in history, in addition to your rest.

Hard to write today..

2009-06-29T08:36:00.000-07:00

There has been a great deal going on ranging from good, bad and the shocking. The shocking being the death of Michael Jackson this past week to the good being the wedding of two very good friends, to the hard...well, not so much hard as it is thinking...dealing with alot of change these days, some good, some bad, don't know for sure how it will all play out. The bad may become good, the good may become bad...may stay status quo after all. Change is inevitable, and trust me when I say I have experienced a lot, but do you ever get used to it? Do you get used to things only to have the rug pulled and have to do it all over again? I don't know, I don't know too if there is a complete answer to that question either...

To each their own I guess :)

Jon and Kate Plus 8

2009-06-22T09:40:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I think like a lot of us, I have been into the Jon and Kate bandwagon in the last couple of years. The show does make for interesting tv and it's always been fun to watch the exploits of the kids. Gotta get a laugh out of it. Well, the media caught up with them, and in fairness, celebrity did too. Yes, being parents and a family of multiple multiples is unique and challenging, I do not want to nor will I attempt to ever take that away from them by thoughts or words, as I doubt that I would ever cross paths with them I won't include action here, but it would stand to reason, I would include that too.

How many normal families in this situation get visits from Emeril Lagassse?
How many get visits from the Orange County Chopper guys?
How many get as much STUFF comped or gifted to them as they do?

Point being...NONE. Normal families don't get that.......

Now the media has pushed them both into the situation they are in. While I am sure they are getting lots of advice from lots of people, and by some reckonings, it may already be done for them. My suggestion is ditch the show. Very clearly it is the show that has pushed them to this point, not family stress, not the kids..but the show...lose the show, circle the wagons together, ride it out on the other side and call it a laugh 30 years down the road when the kids have their kids and you can get a chuckle out of it.

Anyway, just my two cents :)

Reflecting

2009-05-19T13:51:00.000-07:00

Over Easter, we had the opportunity to spend a lot of time and DC and we had a blast! I have to admit though, one place I wish we could have spent a bit more time...Arlington National Cemetery. It was just a bit jaw dropping (and it always has been) to be among all the names, all the names that have played some leading role in history by virtue of their actions. Did you know there are now 340,000 plus people interred at Arlington? It is a bit inspiring too to know that, almost to a person, most of those people believed in something bigger than themselves, such that they were willing to make enormous sacrifices for it...Would that happen today?

Back at Home...

2009-03-13T08:14:00.000-07:00

Well, I have come off the road...FINALLY! It's good to be back in BG. I can't say that I didn't get a lot out of the conference because I feel like I did, it was good to see some old folks again, it was good to see some new ones too. I just wasn't as amped up as I have been in the past, maybe I am getting older, maybe it was the nature of being "off off off off off oh yeah back on"....I don't know. Regardless, I did get something out of it and that was important. Time to get back to the rat race though, because after all, it is what it is ;)

Beware of bad fish, aka NASPA Day 2

2009-03-10T06:54:00.000-07:00

It has been a good conference so far, but I ate something that has just destroyed my stomach the last couple of days. It has been the biggest problem I have had. On different notes though, I have learned a lot about me as far as personal development this week goes. I definitely did not bring my "A" game this week and I can tell you what my A game needs to be for future conferences, I also have learned things I need to do from a career sense, in that regard, it has been good. Enjoyed great company and great eats at Ivar's Salmon House last night, would definitely go there again, the skyline view of Seattle was amazing. Anyhowwwwwwwww I am off to Day 3. Check in with you later.

NASPA Day One

2009-03-08T12:04:00.000-07:00

Yea! Back in Seattle. but unfortunately without my favorite travel buddy :(
It feel good to be here at the conference itself, it's a bit weird not being involved this year, but hopefully that will change in 2010. I am running into old friends, and recently made ones, and because of the involvement I had it is really cool to have "celebrities" interact with you..Something is missing though....Am I saying that the conference is bad this year? Not in a million, I am actually really interested to see some of the new bells and whistles they have installed for this year. Something just seems different and I can't put a finger on it....maybe I am just getting old :P

Craziness in the Toledo Mayor's Office

2009-03-08T11:59:00.000-07:00

So it would seem that one of the spokespeople for the Toledo Mayor was proverbially speaking "busted" not to long ago for saying in what they believed to be a private blog what he thought about his boss (aka the mayor) and his job at the time. Unfortunately, as it is with most things on the internet, it turned out to be not so private and his blog spilled out in a number of public web sights that document the news, a blog journalism site if you will. Well, this is one reason why you will hopefully speaking, never see a direct rant about any one individual or one thing on my site, but I will hopefully leave enough clues that the ones who know, will "get it" and the ones who don't....ya'll can just speculate. Anyway though, I digress. Why is it that we can't say what we think? We have to be so guarded because we don't want to insult anyone, we have to be mindful of our language and our choice of words in the matters we deal with. Is it possibly a matter of us taking ourselves to seriously? Talk to me here..what do you think?

Public Service

2009-01-27T08:50:00.000-08:00

So I have to admit, like his viewpoints or not, it was hard not to be inspired by the inauguration the other day, and it got me to thinking, is public service, politics? What is public service?

Politics I think has lost sight of what it means to be a public servant, which is, in short, what politicians are. There job is to do what's right for the greater good. I don't care what party they are affiliated with, they are to find common ground that push items of greatest good interest (for complete lack of better words) forward for the betterment of all. We have lost sight of that in all of the partisan backbiting, lobbyists, special interest and all the complete subdivision (again, for lack of) that takes place regularly. Too much of that....

So what is public service? I would like to think that some respects of what I do are being a servant of the public, but is that all? What does it mean? What have I done for the greater good?

For that matter, what have you done for the greater good?

It seems to me, we have hit a time where we can't afford not to pay attention to what is going on with the other...what do you think?

Patrick Swayze

2009-01-20T13:34:00.000-08:00

Ok, so I have to confess. Patrick Swayze's career pretty much came of age as I was growing up. No lie, his biggest hits happened as I went through junior high, high school, etc. etc. you get the picture.

I have to admit, to admiring some of his characters for different reasons ranging from work ethic, honor, value, strength, a number of values that I would like to think I aspire too. Here lately though, I have to say, the person that is Patrick Swayze has been greatly inspiring as of late as well. How many people would have approached pancreatic cancer the way he has? Straight on, straight forward, still working hard, still maintaining his and his wife's lifestyle? Still honoring his relationship with her the way he has? Truly, truly amazing to me.

So, I would toast him right now for his strength of character and to his fight. I am sure I am amongst many in the hopes that he beats this thing.

Happy New Year!

2008-12-31T11:47:00.001-08:00

Just a quick note to wish all a happy new year, talk to you in 2009.