The following is the speech given by incoming NCD President Shirley Kiziah CPS/CAP at the Installation Banquet on Saturday, June 6, 2009.
Good evening! Fellow IAAP members, distinguished guests. Twelve years ago when I joined IAAP, I didn’t realize what an impact this organization would have on my life. The skills I would learn; the lifelong friends I would make; the journey I would take to this place as North Carolina Division President. As this night came closer and closer, I experienced a myriad of feelings – fear, apprehension, doubt, excitement. Now that the time has come, I am simply joyful and humbled at the honor you have given me to serve you. Thank you.
There are many people here tonight that have played a part in all this – you, the members for electing me. Dianne – who has made sure that I am well prepared for this role; I can’t thank her enough for that and for her support and friendship. Our board – whose members have been absolutely awesome to work with; I appreciate their confidence in me.
But, there is a special someone here tonight that I especially want to recognize and that is my husband, Ron. Throughout our 22 years of marriage, he has always been supportive of the goals I set for myself, even those that meant long hours and extra nights and weekends away from home. He has picked up the extra load, not complained (too much) and has always let me know he is proud of me. Not only is he my husband, but he’s also my best friend and I thank God every day for you, Ron.
Over the years, I have had many chances to observe the exceptional women who have stood here before me. The skills they used in conducting a business session and their ability to lead our division with a positive, professional attitude, even in times of conflict and adversity. All of you have my most upmost respect and admiration, but I would be remiss if I didn’t recognize two former division presidents who have played a special part in my being here tonight.
Brenda Teague CPS, has been the person who encouraged (or should I say “pushed”) me to first run as a chapter president and then serve on the division board. Ever since I’ve known her, she has encouraged me to do things that I really didn’t have the confidence to do. Her encouragement and support have helped me stretch and reach for goals that I never believed I could attain. For that and your friendship, Brenda, I thank you!
The second person I want to recognize is Jo Peay. When I was a first time chapter president, our chapter experienced a few bumps in the road, and Jo, who was our Division President at the time, sent me a handwritten note of encouragement and support, which to be honest, was a turning point for me and my association with IAAP. Jo’s note made me realize that I was part of an organization whose members and leaders would be there for me, not only professionally, but personally as well. I can count on Jo to give me good advice and to be honest and upfront. In fact, she gave me some very valuable advice when I was thinking about running for president-elect. She told me that if I ran, I needed to do it with the intention of giving it my all and to being the best division president that I could possibly be because being a division president is an honor. Thank you, Jo, for being there for me and for your friendship. Thank you also for agreeing to install me tonight - just as you did 12 years ago when I first became a member of IAAP – that meant a lot to me!
I do want each of you here tonight to know that serving as your division president is a privilege I do not take lightly - I am fully committed to this division and our members and I’m asking each of you tonight to join me in making that same commitment.
During the coming year, we will continue on our journey to “Believe. . . Rise to Excellence” as we move forward into this year’s theme, the “Power of Commitment.” Most of you know that for the last year or so, International has been working to reform IAAP into a remarkable association. Well, I would love to see all of us work to turn the North Carolina Division into a remarkable division and I believe the Power of Commitment is essential to accomplishing this goal.
According to Webster’s, one of the definitions of power is “the possession of control, authority or influence over something or someone”. Commitment is “the act of doing or performing something; a promise or pledge to do something.” So, the power of commitment is our possession of the authority or influence to ensure that our promises or pledges are kept. Commitment is the cornerstone of any successful company or organization because without it, there are only promises and hopes . . . but no plans. Commitment begins, and ends, with you. If you are not committed to yourself and your personal growth, how can you be committed to anyone else? Power can be a motivating incentive, but nothing can come to fruition if the commitment is not there to carry things through.
Now, I believe that as a profession, probably no one is more committed to our jobs than we are! And I know that in a year where many of us have suffered job losses and cutbacks, it may be difficult for us to see why it’s important to be committed – to anything. But it is important – especially our commitment to IAAP! It is what sets us apart from others in our profession – a true professional stays the course. If we are to get anywhere in life, in our relationships, in our careers, and in our communities, we must be committed to our dream, our mission, our goal, our cause. This may involve making some sacrifices and doing things, like attending chapter meetings or serving on committees, when we don’t always feel like doing them. IAAP, and our commitment to it, gives us the administrative edge that is so vital to preserving our careers in an unstable economy where all of us are vulnerable.
Commitment and the power that it has can be an awesome thing to witness. Many successful organizations have been borne because of commitment. This year, we had the opportunity to witness this within our own division when the Charlotte Center City Chapter was chartered on April 18th, after four years of determined commitment by James Edgar CPS/CAP. James never gave up on chartering this chapter and it paid off. When an organization is truly committed to its mission, its leaders and members don’t bail out when the going gets tough. Commitment can make the difference in whether an organization continues to flourish or die. Green Bay Packers’ coach Vince Lombardi once said, “Individual commitment to a group effort – that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.” And that is what I’m asking all of us to do this coming year – become individually committed to IAAP, your chapter, and your division.
Yes, I know we are all busy, but each of us made a commitment when we joined IAAP and we need to remember that commitment when we are asked to serve. Following through on our commitments, or promises, is part of being a person of character and integrity. We all know when we’re not doing the things we say we are going to do. All of us bring something different to the North Carolina Division, yet we are all needed to make it remarkable.
Successful organizations and successful people all have a common thread – commitment. Merely wishing that something will happen, or hoping that an act will lead to success, isn’t enough. As leadership expert, John C. Maxwell, says “commitment is what makes ordinary people do extraordinary things.” Commitment is what separates the doers - from the dreamers.
There is something powerful about being truly committed to a cause, a vision, a meaningful purpose. The decision to act on what we’re committed to and passionate about starts us on a unique journey of discovery. We become more attuned to the opportunities around us. We start wanting to do better, to learn more, and to stay true to our promises. When the going gets tough, we don’t bail out – committed people don’t do that. They stay the course.
Only you have the power to commit. It begins and ends with each one of us. Are you ready to work with me to turn the North Carolina Division into a remarkable division in 2010? I am fully committed to each of you and to doing just that. I invite you to join me now as we explore what the Power of Commitment can do for the North Carolina Division and each of her members. Thank you!