President's Article "STEWARDSHIP" By Jo Anne Marquez, President NAPM-Orange County, Inc. Affiliated with the Institute for Supply Management

My journey, like many others before me, has been a consistent progression of involvement – slowly moving myself up the ranks of NAPM-OC, and continuing to grow as a person. It started with an invitation to join, expanded into attendance to the dinners, included relationship-building with many people who became my friends, and evolved into chairing a committee, joining the Board, and stepping up to the challenge of becoming President.

When given the opportunity to select the theme for this year, my first thought was how honored I was to be entrusted with this organization’s leadership, and what a huge responsibility I have been given. As Webster defines it, Stewardship is the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one’s care – the precise way I feel about our seasoned institution.

At our Installation Dinner last month, I announced the theme for our 50th Anniversary – Stewardship – and since then, I have been thinking of ways to incorporate our theme into our goals for the year, to continue to grow our organization, and expand our membership.

If every one of us takes it upon ourselves to act as “stewards” of NAPM-OC, if we are each trusted to expand on our commitment to grow the organization, what a difference we could make. I challenge each member to join me in making a difference this year.

It starts with an invitation. Invite someone to attend a dinner with you. Embrace their attendance with introductions to other members. Encourage their participation at meetings, on committees, or on the Board. When given the opportunity to grow, it’s amazing to see how each of us can help others meet their potential, and help ourselves grow as well.

This is my year of growth and commitment. I thank you for allowing me to be a steward for NAPM-OC for the next year. The Board and I have some great events planned, and hope that you will join us in making a difference this year. In the words of Helen Keller, “Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much!” Join me in doing “so much.”

Respectfully submitted,
Jo Anne Marquez
President 2008-2009

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