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TREASURE COAST TREASURES

 At the FSMA Convention this past May, it was noted that the Treasure Coast Chapter was fortunate to have three members who have worked for other State Societies and all three have been or are on AAMA committees. It wasn’t by plan or design that this happened but someone up there liked the idea. 

These three members have worked, taught and guided new members their whole careers and continue to do so. Here they are in Florida saying to themselves that they are semi-retired from work and committees. But what they also are telling themselves is that they know what they received from their careers and involvement with AAMA, State Societies and local Chapters.  Are they telling themselves, enough already or are they telling themselves it’s never enough. As they look back at what they learned by getting involved with their Chapters, State Societies and AAMA, they owe more. 

When we first worked, did we have the self-confidence to stand up and speak to a group? You go to a Chapter meeting and you see how smart the officers are and then you are asked to join a committee. Our answer was probably no the first time asked, but your Chapter officers/ Committee Chairs prevailed. So now you are on a Committee and the work you did with that Committee made a difference in your Chapter. Now you are asked to Chair a Committee and you again make a difference, now comes the officer nomination and by now you are going to State Conventions and you are getting more self-confident at each step. A year or so later you are now on a State Committee, then you’ll be chairing a Committee and then you’ll be State Officer and you’ll be on an AAMA Committee and then perhaps an AAAM trustee or Officer.

Are you, at this point, the same person who was just starting work and was lacking self-confidence? Wow, what a change-who would have thought that this shy person was really me. What brought out all these leadership qualities? It was, of course, the work with the Chapter, the State Society and AAMA. This involvement makes us better people.

All of you reading this, please get involved with your Chapters and/or FSMA. You will make a difference. Life has become somewhat busier than we have time for-but make the time for you to join, to become involved. And students, enhance your learning experience with student membership and attending meetings

Someday you will be a treasure to your Chapter.

                                                                             Susanne Sniffin, CMA-C, LRT

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