Building on solid ground.

An exceptionally wise ACEI leader once stated, "You can't apologize for your age; your thoughts are valid, so let them be heard." He helped me to realize that I really didn't have a reason to preface a legitimate suggestion for growth in our organization by clarifying that "I am young and have a lot less experience in our organization, so feel free to correct me if I am thinking too far 'outside of the box.' " It was pleasant to be reminded that among ACEI members, I am in a diplomatic environment where I can confidently contribute my thoughts and suggestions, and receive meaningful feedback.

At the fall 2006 ACEI Executive Board meeting, I found the leadership at Headquarters and on the Board to be a refreshingly diverse team of individuals with the common goal of ensuring that the organization is continuously reaching toward its full potential. As a new Board member, I expected to interact with welcoming individuals, but I incorrectly assumed that procedures and policies, in an organization more than a century old, would be nearly motionless. I expected less talk of change, and more discussion tending toward staying the current course because it is sufficient. It was uplifting to observe that the ACEI leadership is far from an institutionalized mentality. Even though everything has been running smoothly for years, the leadership is still analyzing what we can do to strengthen the organization by questioning and reflecting on where the organization stands and developing positive suggestions for a future that supports what ACEI has done in the past, yet includes additional growth opportunities.

Financially, ACEI is stronger than ever. An outside auditing agency attended the midyear meeting and reported that we have the highest level of credit an organization can receive, thanks to ACEI Executive Director Gerald Odland, the staff at Headquarters, and Board support. Based on these successes, the Board has decided to revise the ACEI Constitution to include a reference to ACEI's written financial policies and procedures for Headquarters and Branches.

I was also impressed to see that a survey was utilized to gather feedback from the membership of ACEI. The mere fact that a survey was collected and analyzed by Headquarters and the Executive Board demonstrates that the leadership of ACEI wants to ensure the satisfaction of all members and include the opinion of the membership in all decision-making, to be sure that we are representing the members well. The data that was collected was informative, because it put into words what our members consider to be important. The survey validated that ACEI is satisfying the members by providing the services that they are seeking and that the new ideas that the organization is developing are headed in the right direction. The survey results will be shared with the ACEI membership (see p. 162-B) and at the ACEI Annual Conference in Tampa.

Headquarters also arranged for the Board to meet with a parliamentarian specialist to discuss our Constitution. Once again, all of the ACEI leadership appeared to be very open to suggestions. The Board and Headquarters staff are ready to build upon the already solid ground and open up the Constitution to amendments in order to organize it in a fashion that fits this day and age.

Everyone knows a maverick. They are the individuals who see "the glass with something useful in it and half full." Mavericks who mean well are the creative souls; given the opportunity to explore positive and forward progression towards the common goal of an organization, they can change the world. Our mission statement alone proves that we want to make a difference in the lives of children, so we must be ever active. In ACEI, we are encouraged to contribute to the organization by donating our time, money, leadership, ideas, and heartfelt gratitude. We can be thankful that our organization seeks out and wholeheartedly accepts and appreciates our dedication to delivering our talents and gifts. We are an organization of mavericks; as a fellow maverick, I feel quite at home.

--Jessica Essary, Student Representative