County Commission | The Magazine October 2018 | Page 8

Behind the vision of our staff
and the insurance trustees, we are
finally taking the reins of our own
future by assuming the responsibility
for managing both our insurance
funds. Few of you realize the hard
work that has already gone into
this transition by our outstanding
staff. But I want you to join me in
expressing our full support for the
efforts of our staff and providing
them our commitment to join them
in moving our programs forward in
the next 12 months.
There will be some bumps in the
road. But I am so very impressed
with the leadership of our staff and
am confident that all our citizens
will benefit when this transition is
complete.
When we gather in Montgomery
in December, our Association office
will have moved — just a few yards
— to a new location on the 7th
floor of 2 North Jackson Street. The
Association’s Board of Directors
is so very proud of this relocation
and the new level of service you
will receive from the resources that
will be available there. The new
home of “67 Counties, One Voice”
is just another step in moving this
Association forward and keeping
with the vision of those who started
this organization 90 years ago.
I can’t wait for the day when
our insurance services and the full
Association are all located there on
North Jackson Street. This will usher
in a new era in our Association’s
remarkable history. Sonny, on behalf
of our membership, I want to again
thank you for the leadership you are
providing and for the outstanding
work of your staff.
Now, I want to challenge
everyone in this room to find their
place to serve this outstanding
organization. There is certainly
enough unfinished work to go
8 | OCTOBER 2018
around. If we are to have complete
success, it will take all of us.
Everyone must contribute, and
no one should expect their neighbor
to carry their load. I have found
my place to serve. And, in some
ways, I was once a bit unsure of
how I would fit into this role. But
not anymore. After this week, I am
confident that I am right where I’m
supposed to be. This is the year for
me to be president. And this is the
year for you to find your place.
Clearly, you know that everyone
in this room cannot be president of
this organization, or serve on the
Board of Directors, or be on the
Legislative Committee, or be on
one of the insurance boards, or be
appointed to a study committee, or
be on the board of one of the affiliate
groups. But there are other places
you can serve. Believe me. There is a
place for you.
The
Association’s
strength should
be its ability to
focus experts
and dedicated
professionals on
every problem
that faces our
state. Are you
as involved as
you should be?
Have you made
a sacrifice to be
a part of this
Association’s
efforts on behalf
of your county?
Do you
demand that
your staff be fully
engaged? Do you
demand that they
find their place of
leadership? Or do
you sit and rely on your neighbors to
carry your load?
Ninety years ago, this
organization was set in motion by
commissioners who had a vision that
county government should lead this
state — a vision that I share even
today. They believed that things could
be better. And they were right. We are
better. But we have more to do.
The challenges before us cannot
be achieved if there are empty seats
at the table. If you are absent —
and your seat is empty — then we
are weaker. And not only is your
county weaker, but because your
seat is empty, my county — and my
constituents — are weaker, as well.
The time for waiting, the time
for leaning on others, is over. After
90 years, don’t you think it’s time
you joined in the fight? I do.
Please come join me.
Let’s enjoy the rest of this
evening. Then let’s get to work. n