Association Leadership - July/August 2008 - (Page 18)

Newre Featu Perspectives What do you wish you had known? In this issue, we have posed a question to a “seasoned” executive member and a “younger” member. These members share their experiences on the topic… and we’ll all benefit from the unique perspectives. Interested in being part of this series? Contact Beth Brooks at BethBrooks@TSAE.org. A “younger” perspective When given this assignment, my ﬁrst thoughts were “Can I take a refresher writing course ﬁrst?” and “Who can I go to for advice?” Yes, continuing education is valuable to an employee in any profession. For me, it builds the skills, conﬁdence and enthusiasm to do a better Kim Schoppert job at my association Education and Special Projects and, in the future, Assistant further my career in the Texas Land Title Association association profession. In my particular association, continuing education can be deﬁned in many different terms. It can be an outside course on a speciﬁc subject or one-onone training with a database expert. It can be a co-worker teaching some new graphic tricks, or a networking event that builds my speaking skills. To me, continuing education is achievable every day, in many different ways. This re-emphasizes the impact that it can have on an employee. I started out at my association answering phones and doing basic administrative work. I knew little about the association profession and our particular industry. I was shy and inexperienced. My employers recognized these limitations and quickly enrolled me in TSAE’s “Association 101” and TLTA’s “Introduction to Title Insurance.” With this newfound knowledge, I was soon able to answer questions from members with ease and I developed the conﬁdence and empowerment to gain more experience. After this initial action by my employers, I have found that the responsibility for continuing education is shared. I have questions and difﬁculties that my employers may not notice. My employers expect me to bring these concerns to them with possible solutions. In turn, I trust that my employers will use their attention and experience to help me ﬁnd the best solution. My co-workers have also become an open and easily accessible resource for education. Just the other day, we scheduled a staff “learn@lunch” to go over the technology in our ofﬁce. I noticed that each person in the group had a piece of knowledge to offer. It was amazing to me that I could learn so much from 30 minutes with my co-workers, at little cost to my employer. Time and ﬁnancial accessibility offered by my employers have allowed me to participate in TSAE events and helped me build professional relationships and a better insight into the association profession. With this experience, I ﬁnd it important to take every opportunity that my employers are willing to give to promote my personal career goals. In turn, I feel my employers should feel that the time and monetary sacriﬁces have not gone to waste in beneﬁting our association as well. Three years later, I speak with more conﬁdence and ease, I have been given more work responsibility, and I’m involved in outside professional networks. Continuing education has opened up my mind to thoughts of a bright future career. I believe that any employee, with a little interest and dedication to continuing education, and a little time and attention from their employer, can have this same valuable experience. Kim Schoppert Follow-up response: I was interested to hear the importance an employer like Mr. Savio puts on continuing education, not only for the individual, but for the beneﬁt of the association. I think at times I have taken a selﬁsh approach by putting more value on my personal education. His employer’s perspective on my role in continuing education was helpful and I will take more responsibility next time an education opportunity arises. 18 Association LEADERSHIP | July/August 2008 Harry Savio Follow-up response: Kim had insights I would second. “The responsibility for education is shared” acknowledges that the employer can bring resources and experience an employee may not have. The employee has insights into their own skills needing improvement. Also she observed, co-workers enhance personal growth opportunities. Yes, education is vital to a bright future.

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Association Leadership - July/August 2008

Association Leadership - July/August 2008 Contents Chairman’s Column Homepage 60-Second Solutions Cover Feature: Association Lessons Learned Perspectives Association Case Study TSAE Annual Conference CEO Strategies New Members Community Spotlight Government Relations: Resources Technology: Web Site Redesign Global Summit Photo Page Great Ideas Beaumont New Mexico Index to Advertisers Advertiser.com The Lighter Side of Associations

Association Leadership - July/August 2008

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