TASBO Report Feb 2015 | Page 8

FROM THE PRESIDENT MILESTONES AND MOVES: FROM 2014 TO 2015 KELLY A. PENNY, RTSBA TASBO BOARD PRESIDENT Y ou hear it all the time….in today’s world we are all continually faced with change. Truly the word change should be added to the saying, “you are guaranteed two things in life - taxes and death”. Yep, the word “change” is the third guarantee in life. It is inevitable. 2014 was a banner year of change for our organization under the direction of our Executive Director, Tracy Ginsburg and her team. Some of the most visible changes are the redesign of the website and new logo. One of the most exciting changes that our members may not be aware of is the sale of the TASBO building. Our offices will move be moving to a new location in South Austin that provides a superior building layout and access to more parking. Anyone who visited the TASBO office on Congress Avenue knew the challenge of ensuring adequate parking spaces for participants and visitors. Oh, and I can’t forget to mention one other milestone. Pattie Griffin, we have reached that wild and crazy goal of 6,000 members that you mentioned during your Presidency back in 2009. This year TASBO has seen a substantial growth in our Strategic Partnerships, the development of an Emerging Leaders Program, an adoption of a strategic plan centered on customized customer needs, and a renewed focus on committees through the Committee Connect event. TASBO also welcomed the addition of Lisa Kennedy as curriculum writer. Curriculum has always been the heartbeat of TASBO and with the addition of Lisa the focus will be strengthened so that TASBO can continue to meet the needs of our members. 8 The TASBO Board has worked diligently throughout the year to continue to move our organization forward to meet ever changing needs, including moving Summer Conference from a local affiliate sponsored event to a TASBO event. While the local affiliates will still participate in Summer Conference, much of the planning will now be managed by TASBO. For those affiliates and volunteers that have hosted previous Summer Conferences, the level of time and commitment is daunting as attendance has grown to over 1,000 members. Another very exciting forthcoming event in 2015 will be the revamping of the Leadership Academy to become a Chief Executive Officers (CEO) Symposium. Oh, and I can’t forget to mention one other milestone. Pattie Griffin, we have reached that wild and crazy goal of 6,000 members that you mentioned during your Presidency back in 2009. Being President this year has provided an up-close look at these many exciting changes and I know there will be more to come. I am so grateful for the opportunity to have served as your President and give back to an org