"Change, Transition,
Transformation" are today's current phrases applicable to
organizations and individuals alike. Jan and I spend about 5
days each week working with large organizations, helping their
managers and employees adjust to new corporate cultures. Most
of the time, 95% of the people accept the changes quickly and move
on with their professional lives. But there are a few people
who refuse to accept change, demanding to live in the environment
they have created or grown accustomed to. Our great organization,
RAFINO is changing. With your help and acceptance of new
ideas, RAFINO will become even better than it is today.
In less than a week I will be
another past RAFINO president. Jan and I have enjoyed working
with you and the elected and appointed association staff. I
will miss the joys of being a RAFINO leader. But replacing
leaders is a healthy part of the change dynamic. The Army has
rotated leaders frequently for many years with great success and we
probably need to live according to our heritage.
Some changes have occurred
during my watch, but I challenge the next RAFINO president to reach
forward, stretch, and implement the changes needed to continuously
enrich the positive impact of our organization on the lives of its
members. There can be more to RAFINO than a semi-annual
newsletter, biannual reunion and cruise. We have about
705 wonderful, industrious and generous members. They will
support worthy missions designed to help those, especially Army
Finance families, that need a boost over a hurdle.
Reunion attendance appears to be leveling around 200 (116 members
plus guests). What can you do to reach the other 589 and meet
their needs? Regional reunions may be one solution.
Please permit me to take this
opportunity to thank several outstanding RAFINO members for the work
they do on your part. These folks do their duties out of love,
and I cannot think of a more sincere way to express our appreciation
to them than with a heart-felt, "Thank You".
Thank you, Phil and Jeanie
Anderson for those Sunday afternoons and many other hours you gave
each week billing, receiving and processing dues, accounting, data
base posting, speaking and corresponding with RAFINO members and too
many other tasks to list. Phil, please continue your watch
over this organization as you have done so often. Jeanie, we
are here to help you in any way possible.
Warren Murray, many thanks to
you and Barbara for providing a sensible leadership balance to the
staff, helping to keep the organization moving forward. The
humor was great, but little compared to your drive to change the
Reunion Hospitality Room from a sweat shop for some RAFINO members
to an enjoyment for all Reunion attendees.
Jim Martens, I thank you and
Glenna for the hundreds of hours you have spent planning, and
managing Reunion 2000. Glenna, the planning session dinners
were beyond the call of duty, delicious, and so appreciated. Jim,
you have done a Soldier's job to create REUNION 2000 and I cannot
wait to enjoy your hard work. I do realize reunion planning
and execution tasks are hard to accomplish and you have done it
outstandingly.
Thank you, Bob Flewelling for
the unglamorous work you do daily to keep data moving in and around
the organization. I know this summer has been busy for you
supporting the Reunion staff. We will never understand all the
things you do, but we appreciate your efforts and the outcome of
virtually perfect membership records .
Thank you, Claud and Virginia
for accepting the editor's job and making many RAFINO breakthrough
changes with your "Internet Machine". You have provided us
the capability to communicate with our members quickly, accurately,
and cheaply. The RAFINO web site can provide our members so
many wonderful advantages. As we age, our new Internet
connection can keep us in conversations with our friends no matter
where they are, without the stress of travel or the expense of the
telephone. You, my friend, are doing wonderful RAFINO work.
Oh, by the way, have you found a way yet to provide Internet
equipment and connections to all of our members? (ED. Note:
Not yet Mr. President, but I am working on it.)
Thank you, Chick and Sjelja
for being the backbone of this organization. You have been
decorated and awarded so many times for your RAFINO efforts.
Each was well earned and well deserved. Please accept this is
as another of those sincere "Thank you for RAFINO awards".
I hope we have treated your organizational "child" in a
manner that reflects positively on your parental vision. We
will all strive to provide that child a great environment in which
to grow and mature.
To the new "Mr.
President", I know you and your staff will do great things
during the 21st Century. Jan and I look forward to being
members of your outfit for a long time.
May God Bless RAFINO and all
it's wonderful members.
Sincerely, |