For momentum to continue , new leaders must step forward
President ’ s PERSPECTIVE
Hon . Steve McKinnon President
Our reputation for success wasn ’ t built overnight
For momentum to continue , new leaders must step forward
4 | COUNTY COMMISSION
As I look toward the 2018 elections , I think back fondly to my appointment to the Dale County Commission in 2009 . At the time , I had neither held a public office nor sought it , but I was optimistic about how I could better serve my community . Little did I know that my hopes of bettering my community would lead to my current position in which I ’ ve been given the opportunity to better county government across our entire state .
But I won ’ t pretend for a second that I got here on my own . As your Association President , I ’ m able to serve you because of the leaders who welcomed me into the County Family and who mentored me to become a better leader .
That ’ s why I ’ m encouraging you to embrace the change that ’ s inevitably coming with the election season and change two things about how we operate across the 67 counties – how we lead and how we mentor .
Change How You Lead
This year , we ’ ll lose some of our greatest , longtime county advocates . In the wake of this reality , I ask you to take a good look at yourself and what you bring to the county table in terms of leadership .
How are you leading others within your county and Association ? What initiatives are you leading to better your county and Association ?
Alabama county government has a reputation for success , and it wasn ’ t built overnight . It was built by the hard work and leadership of many who took it upon themselves to stand up and make a difference .
We won ’ t continue our current momentum without new leaders willing to do the same .
Now is the time to change the way you lead , and there are numerous routes from which to choose - pick one , and give it all you ’ ve got .
Change How You Mentor As we say goodbye to some friendly faces of local government , we must also greet the new , unfamiliar faces who will join us in our service to Alabamians . I ask that you be a friend and mentor to the newcomers to our cause , that you teach them and help them . Certainly , we ’ ll be stronger with them than without .
Although we use the “ 67 Counties , One Voice ” motto often , we must remain cognizant of the time and effort necessary to maintain such a feat . These newcomers will likely know little about county government and even less about our Association and how we achieve success across the state . We must welcome these people and be willing to mold them into the county advocates and leaders their county and this state deserve .
Election season will be over before we know it . I ask that you take the time now to consider what change you will bring to your community and your Association this year and moving forward . Will you become a better leader , a better mentor ? Or will you ignore the opportunity of change , tell yourself that everything is fine the way it is and , in the long run , let your team down ?
I ’ m choosing to become a better leader and mentor . I hope you ’ ll join me . n