January 2, 2010
As we end the first decade of the new millennium, and hit the ground
running into the next decade as we begin 2010, I thought I would use this first
quarter letter to take a look back and then look forward as we “envision”
the future for - and “communicate” those ideas to - the membership of our
association.
Have we ever taken some time to analyze the ebb and flow of history over
the years to see if the context and nature of our business has actually changed?
I think we must understand those times, for some of the decisions we have to
make now were determined by what has happened in our recent history of the past
40 years or more.
They say the best way to convey a word picture is to tell a story. So,
let me share a story with you about some ideas – or maybe some ideals – and
thoughts about AASCIF and your involvement in this association.
This story begins in the 1970’s. I know for some of you this may be a
stretch to remember, and for others, you may not have even been born yet. For
the former group this story may be a grim reminder of the past, for the younger
people, it will be a history lesson.
Let’s start by taking a look at the decade of the 70’s. Four events
drained the vitality out of our country during this time. First, we saw the war
in Vietnam continue. What had been a difficult and confusing conflict in the
late 1960’s escalated into a national debacle in the early 70’s.
The second event that had a profound impact was Watergate. In 1972 news
began to trickle in about a botched political burglary in an office complex in
Washington, D.C. Those trickles later became a flood of outrage that forced
Richard Nixon to resign the presidency in 1974.
A history lesson of the 70’s would not be complete without mentioning
the OPEC Oil Embargo – the third event. Lines at gas stations lasted for
hours, the price of gas tripled and rationing began. (I know many of you will
remember that.)
The last event – but certainly not least in importance – was when
Iran took 53 Americans hostage and made our country look weak and vulnerable to
the world. This was when we knew we had had enough! We knew of the problems in
Southeast Asia; now something was wrong in the Middle East, and we were not
going to stand for impropriety and incompetence in our national government.
Events were spinning out of control and we wanted it to stop. (When we think
about it, not that much has changed since the 1970’s.)
But one other thing happened at the end of that decade, John Wayne died
in 1979 (for those of you who do not know who John Wayne was, I can refer you to
some old Western movies!) At that time another aging actor from California began
to promise us he would make our country great again if we would elect him as our
leader in 1980. . .
Here is the point of all of this for our association. Ronald Reagan
envisioned a better America. As a leader, he “envisioned” what we wanted and
where we wanted to go, and then he asked us to join him. In our case, AASCIF can
help create the future for our business. Being able to envision a bigger, or
better, or different tomorrow is the foundation of that leadership. Together, we
will be able to do that too.
But, “communication” is also a key, without communication that
vision fails. We must communicate as clearly as possible and help those that
follow overcome the attitudes and obstacles that can throw us off track. And
there will be many detractors who will try to do that. Your input is crucial to
communication. Your attitudes and involvement in this Association is the energy
that fuels that momentum.
Because of those qualities, Ronald Reagan did make our country a better
place. Because of those same qualities, AASCIF can help make our business
better.
This leads me to the end of our history lesson and to the culmination of
my thoughts on YOUR association. Leadership means leaving a “legacy.” The
dictionary defines legacy as anything of value, handed down from the past, as
from an ancestor or forebearer. Therefore, each new group of torch-bearers, in
turn, hands off these visions and values to the next. They leave a legacy.
So let’s bring the story full circle – vision, communication and
leaving a legacy – these are the three main roles of AASCIF. Ronald Reagan
also once said, “At this time, in this place, we have come together for
something great.” Let’s all come together to make AASCIF something great!
Sincerely,
Dennis W. Smith
AASCIF President
2009 - 2010
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