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BB Magazine January 2012 : Page 2[ FROM THE PRESIDENT ] Back to the Future with Purpose & Unity. Scott Ramin WSNLA President Still Waters Aquatic Nursery Mount Vernon Before I enter into the main purpose of this message let me take a moment to thank Scott Pringle for all of his encouragement and support over the past two years. I would not be adequately prepared for serving you as the President of WSNLA had it not been for him. So thank you, Scott Pringle. I also am obliged to thank the WSNLA Board for their trust in my ability to lead this association effectively and appropriately. I am not like most of those that serve on the association’s board. My knowledge of plant species is minimal, I am not a horticulturist and in fact this year at the Seattle Flower and Garden Show, Tim Gray and the rest of the organizers decided it best that I operate the cash register and just do what I do best, smile and say thank you. (I think that was for the protection of the public). There is a commonality in all of us on the board and in this association; we all have a love of plants. I expect that most of you have no clue as to who Scott Ramin is or how he thinks. To 4 -The B&B Magazine be open and honest there have been many periods in my life that I too have questioned who am I? I can guarantee that my wife, Kathy, has been asking the same question for 45 years. I hope that over the next 12 months you will come to know me better. Most of all I hope that you’ll catch onto the fact that I take being the President of WSNLA seriously and have a strong desire to serve you, our membership, with commitment to the ultimate goal of leading WSNLA effectively into the future. Webster defines service as “doing work for others”. Other definitions that I found are: a helpful act, or useful labor that does not produce a tangible commodity, and finally, a contribution to the welfare of others. I like the last one the best. I believe that WSNLA is foundationally strong and poised to move forward. To accomplish this we’ll need to have a clear understanding of membership’s desires, and based on those priorities we’ll strategically establish ourselves as being an association that represents the industry with clarity of purpose. That’s a big goal, and in all honesty it will not get accomplished in one year, but we certainly can develop a strong plan of action to get us there. This process will require your input. 2012 is the year to actively engage in WSNLA as a member. How? Use the technology that suites your style; phone, e-mail, text messaging, and Facebook are a few of the means available. You can attend meetings in your region’s chapter, volunteer to serve that chapter, invite employees, or even a new business. We need you! No leadership can represent its members without hearing their voices. I don’t know how, but take this as notice, you’ll be asked to participate and speak up during the course of the year. WSNLA is on the threshold of a dream. We, all of us, are poised at a time of great change. Change that will not impact our association, but if we are attentive the change will reach deep within our industry impacting how we do business and operate our lives. 75 years of serving! What a great accomplishment for this organization! You are the key to the next 25 years and we are calling you into service with us. I look forward to serving with you and will stand proudly at WSNLA’s 100th year celebration! Let’s plan on it together. Publication List |
