Leadership Notes

Time well served ... it's worth every moment

By Greg Jordan, Oakland University, NIRSA Past President

NIRSA Colleagues,

While this comment may seem very typical, I can’t find a better way to express how quickly the last three years have gone by since the 2004 Annual Conference in Albuquerque. And even more so, no words will ever be able to adequately explain and describe the incredible experience of serving our NIRSA as a member of the Board of Directors.

During this time I have had the privilege of traveling to 16 states, visiting 27 higher education institutions, and meeting countless Professional and Student Members. Each opportunity added to my own personal and professional growth; allowed me to take something new back to my campus at Oakland University; and continued to reinforce the culture of member-driven success of the growth of our NIRSA.

The three-year term of the NIRSA President-elect, President and Past President also carries the opportunity to serve on the NIRSA Foundation Board of Directors and that of the NIRSA Services Corporation. Each of these boards has dedicated, hardworking professionals who are committed to the advancement of our Association for years to come. To have been able to see the operations and details of the business of NIRSA from all angles has exposed me to the passion and expertise of both volunteer leaders and those individuals hired to conduct business on our behalf at the NIRSA National Center.

Service to our Association through leadership opportunities is an appropriate way to give back to an Association from which so much has been taken. The opportunity that has been provided to me through the election process to serve on our Board of Directors has been an absolutely wonderful experience that I encourage any member to consider. The future of our NIRSA is bright, but it will not happen by accident. There are a wide variety of service/leadership opportunities for all members to be involved with. But it takes a proactive initiative in making the first move.

Our NIRSA is perhaps at its strongest financial point in our history. The value of the programs, services and facilities we provide on our own campuses is, too, at its strongest point ever. As we use strategic planning principles to help guide us, we continue to have the opportunity to advance NIRSA forward in the future through thoughtful discussions about some challenging questions, such as:

How will NIRSA assist in the delivery of the formal education of our members via certifications or credentials?

How will we advance NIRSA through the sponsorship of sport-related championships in a fiscally prudent manner?

How will NIRSA continue to recognize and support our strong history and commitment to intramural sports and at the same time embrace our future in the areas of wellness and fitness programs, student learning, and sustainability?

How can we best position NIRSA to secure significant financial resources and partners to grow the mission of the NIRSA Foundation?

Where is the best location for the NIRSA National Center and for nationally based education and sport programs?

Using 21st century technology, how will we be able to advance NIRSA’s governance system through review of how we elect Board of Director members and how we appoint members to other boards, committees or work teams?

Finding the answers to these questions, and others, will take time, detailed review of options, significant philosophical discussion, and the courage of the members, elected and volunteer leaders, and National Center staff to strategically move us forward in the best interest of our NIRSA and of our profession.

Having been provided an up-close, participatory view these past three years has helped me come to the conclusion that I have all the confidence and trust in our NIRSA Board of Directors, NSC Board of Directors, NIRSA Foundation Board of Directors, candidates, committees, our Executive Director, and his staff that we will be successful beyond our expectation in the advancement of our NIRSA and our profession.

Thank you for the honor to serve our NIRSA in this manner.

May you continue to find the passion in your heart for what we do as a way of life in making NIRSA what it is today and in the future!

Sincerely,

Greg Jordan, Oakland University
Proud NIRSA Member