Up Front
My son graduates from the University of Missouri this year and I find myself reflecting on how fast time is going by and how frenetic our schedules sometimes become at MSAA, as we forge ahead on so many service fronts. Perhaps it is the time of year, as we suddenly realize that the long days of summer are well behind us and the holidays, ice, and snow are fast approaching. Much seems to be going on around us - from politics, national security, and severe weather, to football, reality shows, and holiday preparations. While things are at a high pace around us, the same may be said for MSAA, as we continue to expand our reach and our services.
As many of you know from the Up Front message in the summer issue of The Motivator, Joe King has become our new Board of Directors' chairperson. He has some exciting plans for the future and we have included an article about him in this issue on page 20. Please be sure to take a look. Plans continue to move forward for the development of our new regional office in California. If this state were a country, it would be the fifth largest in the world... so adding another office in California will surely be a worthwhile endeavor. While both our national and regional offices have always provided support and services to the residents of California, we look forward to establishing a more physical presence to expand on these programs and services that we already offer in this state and surrounding areas. Through future issues of The Motivator, I will keep everyone apprised of our progress.
Speaking of progress... MSAA continues to grow and assist increasing numbers of people. How long have you been with us? If you started from the beginning, you might know that we are proudly completing our 35th year of serving individuals with MS. While our official anniversary date is June 6th, we are planning a year-long tribute throughout 2005 to expand our public outreach and offer services to more people in more places.
With the theme of "35 years of meeting the challenge," many special publications and events are being planned. Please look for a publication highlighting our 35 years to accompany the spring 2005 issue of The Motivator, along with the first of a four-part monograph series on topics of particular interest to people with MS and their care partners. Regional events commemorating our 35 years of service will be held in conjunction with other educational sessions throughout 2005. The keynote event will be held in June. I am looking forward to the year-long tribute to MSAA's 35 years of service and I hope you will join us in celebrating this milestone in MSAA's history.
The Sweeten the Season campaign is sweeping the nation, with more than 100,000 fundraising card candy canes requested as of October 1st. Last year's sale of $1 card candy canes by volunteers, groups, and retail stores, raised more than $53,000 to directly fund programs and services offered by MSAA. This year, the total could reach as much as $75,000. Please help us to reach this important fundraising goal by ordering a supply of card candy canes to sell to family and friends, or to purchase on your own to add to holiday cards, wrapped gifts, or used as a decoration at home and work. To order card candy canes, please log onto www.msaa.com/sweeten.html or call MSAA at (800) 532-7667, ext. 113. You may also refer to the inside front cover of this issue for more information. For this fall issue of The Motivator, I would like to conclude by emphasizing the importance of Thanksgiving. This is a time for reflection and thanks for all our blessings. This is also a time to appreciate the love that our families and friends share with us, and to acknowledge how fortunate we are to have them in our lives. Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "What lies behind us and what lies in front of us pales in comparison to what lies within us."
On behalf of everyone at MSAA, I would like to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season. Douglas G. Franklin has been President and Chief Executive Officer of MSAA since April 1999. Mr. Franklin has 25 years experience in senior association management in the nonprofit sector and is an internationally published expert in the field of social marketing. A former national trainer for the Peter Drucker Foundation, Mr. Franklin has conducted workshops in strategic planning and marketing development in more than 15 countries worldwide. He is a firm believer in the benefits of social investment for both the private and public sector workplaces.
