Leadership Notes

The NIRSA Annual Conference: Reconnect, reenergize, learn and share

By Maureen McGonagle, CRSS, DePaul University, NIRSA President

I became a collegiate recreational sports professional because of the 1986 NIRSA Annual Conference, which is primarily noteworthy because I wasn’t there.

In the spring of 1986 I was a junior in accountancy at the University of Illinois. Although very active with intramural sports as a player, official, volunteer and supervisor, I knew little about the overall Campus Recreation department and I knew even less about NIRSA. 

But in the spring of 1986 I noticed something different in the office. The staff was excited and the energy in the air was palpable. The staff seemed eager with anticipation and the overall mood in the office was elevated. I didn’t then know the source of the excitement (i.e., the Annual Conference), but I knew for certain that I wanted to be a part of it. And while I didn’t join the student staff for the 25 hour van ride to Las Vegas that year, within the month I changed my major and started my professional journey in our field.

That time of year is upon us again. The Annual Conference is a time for learning and a time for sharing our knowledge. It is a time for meeting new people and reestablishing bonds with our mentors and colleagues. It is a time to get reenergized and a time to recapture the excitement of why we chose this field. It is a time to bring closure to the many projects conducted during the year and a time to commence bold new initiatives. It is a time to give recognition to those who have served us well, a time to determine who will lead us in the future, and a time to pass the gavel.

If you are making the journey to Minneapolis, challenge yourself to be productive and deliberate with your time and efforts. And be proactive in sharing the learning and excitement with those who cannot join us so the benefits are multiplied. No matter how many members participate, all members can benefit if we put forth the effort.

Thank you!

It has been a phenomenal year and there are more people to thank than space allows; some noteworthy involvements:

• Dr. Julie Wallace Carr, Dr. Sarah Hardin, and Alex Accetta for their involvement with the Student Learning Knowledge Community
• Jacque Hamilton, Dr. Laurie Betting, Chris Arterberry, and Dr. Gerald Fain for their involvement with the Health & Wellness Knowledge Community
• Mila Padgett and Stan Shingles for their leadership of the 2007 Conference Program Committee
• Kathy Bayless for her leadership of the Standards Committee

The presidential year has been very rewarding but also very demanding. The following folks deserve an extra shout-out for providing me with the support and encouragement necessary to have a successful year:

• Katherine Otten, Karen Bach, and Kiki Alexander from the NIRSA National Center staff
• Tom Kirch, Greg Jordan, and Kent Blumenthal from the NIRSA Executive Committee
• Juliette Moore, Past Presidents’ Representative