Just ask ... leaders talk about the benefits of being involved.

Oxford Dictionary:

Ask v. 1. call for an answer to or about. 2. seek to obtain. 3. invite.

NAMA Dictionary:

Ask v. 1. seek information to determine what leadership roles work for you.

Now is the time to ask. Leadership opportunities come in all time commitments and responsibilities. These opportunities can enhance skills and help further careers.

Take a look at what a few NAMA members have to say about their chapter leadership experience.

Ken Dean

Mo-Kan Chapter President

High Plains Journal

"The role of the chapter president is similar to a quarterback on the football team. Rather than calling all the plays, the president has input from everybody on the team/board," said Dean. "When the teams works together, when each volunteer board member contributes, the team/chapter is successful."

The chapter president guides the chapter down the field, or in this case, the NAMA year.

Kenna Rathai

North Central 1st Vice President/President Elect * Colle + McVoy

"This position allows me to get a feel for the overall organization, develop ideas for next year and help out wherever and whenever I can with the rest of the chapter board, says Rathai. It gives the opportunity to help with the other board positions in order to have a better understanding of how the entire organization works.

Becky Rasmussen

Membership Chair Gateway Chapter

Agri Marketing Magazine

The purpose of the membership chair is to strengthen NAMA on a local/regional level by recruiting new members, retaining current members and promoting participation within the chapter. "There is an administrative side to the role--but also an educational side--as we try to promote NAMA to those who may be unfamiliar with the association," says Rasmussen.

Katie Boyke * VitaPlus

Angle Edge * Wisconsin Dairy Council

Professional Development/Programing Co-Chairs Badger Chapter

These two co-chairs started the planning process in the midsummer by putting together a programming committee. "When the committee initially met we listed all the possible meeting ideas and narrowed it down to our top four ideas with two back-ups," said Edge.

The meetings were divided between the two co-chairs and jobs were assigned to committee members.

"By working together and involving more people in the planning process our meetings have become very successful," says Boyke.

Just Ask! Check with a local NAMA leader or member; there's all kinds of ways to join and to get involved.