Page 12 - Vol34No7 MarchApril2017

STATEWIDE By Bo Mills

Tennessee Leadership

I am so honored to have this several other chapter conferences over the our association. The fact is that when
opportunity to serve this year as APWA’s years, I am amazed at how similar we all we get a person to join, we likely keep
President Elect. This August in Orlando are, how consistent the training, sharing them. We have a tremendous retention
at the PWX Conference, I will begin and fellowshipping is and how good rate. That proves that what APWA offers
representing the entire organization as its Public Works folks are to each other and through the national association and more
President. I never thought some 20 years their agencies. importantly the chapters is meeting the
ago when I attended my first Tennessee needs of those who come to APWA.
Chapter Board of Directors meeting that I One of our priorities as APWA’s Board
would someday be blessed to serve as the this year is to complete a new strategic I am a Tennessee Chapter member. The
APWA President. I am so grateful that the plan. Calkins established a committee of Tennessee Chapter has taught me what I
City of Germantown, my City, is allowing board members who have been working know about APWA and being in service
me this opportunity to serve in this way. It on the plan since our August meeting to our profession. Our Chapter is such a
is going to be an exciting year. in Minneapolis. This past November in great example of APWA. I’ve shared for five
Kansas City a facilitator assisted us with a years as Region III Director and now nearly
APWA is in such good hands. The two-day retreat where many great ideas, one year as President Elect, Tennessee
foundations laid by interim Executive thoughts and dreams were shared. This Chapter’s best practices. Your Tennessee
Director, Larry Frevert and now the February the board began revising the Chapter Board of Directors is and has been
building we are experiencing through work from November striving toward outstanding. Tennessee Chapter leaders
our dynamic Executive Director, Scott an approved plan by June of this year. including A. C. Lock, Frank Kirk, Ed
Grayson are making APWA a great The previous strategic plan dated back Archer, Bob Freudenthal (APWA President
professional organization for now and to 2011. It was time to revisit it and shift 2005 -2006), Bill Kilp, Phil Pindzola,
the future. The APWA Board of Directors the thinking to more outcome-based Mark Miller, John Calvert, Bill Brock,
led by Ron Calkins, our President, and direction to assist Grayson and his staff in Jack Marcellis, Mickey Sullivan and many
Brian Usher, our Past President, as well as taking our organization into the future. others have shaped me for this opportunity.
the other 15 board members is providing I’m very excited about the new plan and I was so honored this past November at the
amazing leadership for our professional look forward to the finished product. It Chapter annual conference in Memphis
organization. I’ve been involved with the is our hope that this work will assist the to be recognized by my friends from my
Board of Directors for nearly six years. chapters as they look at their strategic home Chapter. The recognition you folks
I’ve never seen the board working toward plans. The Council of Chapters will be of gave me in front of my family and my
the greater good of our association like great assistance with the alignment of our mayor was tremendous. I nearly lost it. You
this. There are no egos, no geographic mission. folks are so good to me. I thank you from
positioning, and no personal agendas. All the bottom of my heart.
board members are remaining strategic Membership in APWA continues its
and focused on the greater good of the slow growth. Our total membership is
organization. It is a pleasure to serve with now 29,376. The Tennessee Chapter is 473
such a group. members strong. It has amazed me that
through the recession years of the late
APWA’s staff of 55 professional two thousands and beyond that APWA
association management employees is membership has stayed really steady.
working very hard for our organization. Attendance at our National and State
Every indication from our members is Conferences dropped off a little and is
that the association is meeting their needs. rebounding, but overall the services to
The chapters are such an important part of our professional participants remained
this. Most members receive their benefits strong. Our half price “never been a
from their chapters. Having attended member” rate has helped draw many to

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12 TPW March/April 2017