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LEADERSHIP is one of those personal qualities that often eludes people. It’s hard to define with words, but is readily identifiable through actions. In our effort to grow leadership within GWRRA, we want to recognize those people who are making a difference through their leadership. As we travel to many meetings and events each month we see many great ideas being used throughout the chapters of Tennessee and elsewhere. We want to share those ideas with all of you so that no one has to recreate the wheel. Each month, check our Training page on the Tennessee GWRRA website (www.tngwrratraining.org) for a new idea or practice that will help you become a better leader. If you have a great idea or see one, please pass it along to us (ken.zahn@smokymtnit.com) so we can share it with others.
Congratulations to our October 2006 ‘leadership winners,’ James & Jerlene Smithson, Chapter Directors of Chapter Z in Columbia, TN. Recently, we received the October 2006 newsletter for Chapter “Z.” As usual, Julie read it cover to cover.
When she read the Director’s Desk article from James & Jerlene to their members, she knew we had another leadership winner! In this article, James & Jerlene offer their best wishes to both outgoing (Mike & Mary Trice) and incoming (Joey & Brigitte Hendren), as well as past (Randy & Delores Galloway), District Member Enhancement Directors (MEDs).
What is exceptional about their article is their attitude! Everyone knows “Attitude is Everything!” Yet, it is often harder than we realize to keep a good attitude about change, let alone convey it, and mean it! The sincerity with which James & Jerlene discuss change within our organization is clear. They make a great point that there are many ways for every member to serve other members and that no one position is more important than any other. Without each member doing his or her part, fulfilling duties when and where needed, our organization would falter. Great chapters have great attitudes that start at the top and include everyone! James & Jerlene are great examples of ‘leading by example!’
We wish them continued success as they lead Chapter “Z!”
With James & Jerlene’s permission, here is their article in its entirety:
From the Director’s Desk
by James & Jerlene Smithson, Chapter Directors, TN – Z
Hasn’t this been a great year? Fall is here already. The leaves are falling. Hopefully, there will still be leaves on the trees for all the Fall Color Rides. This time of the year is beautiful but still we know, after fall comes winter.
Just in case you have not heard, we now have new District M.E.D. Coordinators (Member Enhancement Division), Joey and Brigitte Hendren, formally CD’s from Chapter Y in Murfreesboro. We want to congratulate them in that position. We know that they will do a great job.
As you may remember, Mike and Mary Trice had been selected last year for that position. However, Mike’s employment was cause for them to move to Kentucky, which left that position vacant. We all have missed Mike and Mary Trice. We wish them luck and wellness. We have had many great M.E.D.’s.
Before Mike and Mary were Randy and Delores Galloway, also of Chapter Y. Randy and Delores held that position of Member Enhancement Division Coordinators for over Two years. It was there that we became acquainted with them and grew to know and love them.
After leaving position as M.E.D. Randy accepted the title of Assistant CD for Chapter Y. And now with Joey moving to M.E.D. Randy is moving up to accept the CD position. Congratulations to Randy and Delores Galloway on their new position as TN-Y’s newest CD’s.
It is great that we can move around in the GWRRA, from one position to another, doing our jobs and enjoying it. One job, in a sense, is not more important than another. They all give us a chance to grow as human beings in the knowledge of who we are and what we can do. We rise to meet the need. We do the very best that we can do in each position while we fill that position. Each position helps us to know one another and see one another in a different light. After our former Chapter Director, Larry Tatum stepped down and we moved up to Chapter Director, someone in the GWRRA, but not yet understanding how the system works in the GWRRA, asked us, “Does Larry still come to the Chapter meeting?” It was hard for us to explain to him that in the GWRRA that is what we do. We move around in the GWRRA to give someone else a chance to grow and get involved. And many time new blood, so to speak, brings with it new ideas that helps us all to grow in knowledge and self confidence.
Whether your title is that of Chapter Director, Assistant CD, M.E.D., Ride Coordinator, Treasurer, News Editor, Chapter Member, etc., you are important to everyone involved in the GWRRA. We are as one huge family, working, playing, and riding together. We each have a position to fill and a duty to follow through. |
We couldn’t have said it any better if we had said it ourselves! Thanks James & Jerlene!
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