SEAHO Report - Winter 2014 - (Page 3)

SEAHO President Today's Challenge. Tomorrow's Direction. 1964. 2014. This conference theme stands the test of time. The SEAHO Executive Board and Governing Council has been charged with the challenge of honoring the 50th anniversary celebration for our associationand for providing future direction for SEAHO with foresight and planning into the next 50 years and beyond. Today's Challenge. Tomorrow's Direction. It is truly an honor to write the presidential welcome to this, the 50th Anniversary edition of the SEAHO report. I attended my first SEAHO conference 21 years ago in 1993 beautifully hosted by UNC-Charlotte. It was love at first session. I observed the SEAHO leadership and knew that one day I wanted to be just like those people. Leaders. Educators. Thinkers. Changers. And this host of leaders, educators, thinkers and changers that has served SEAHO for the past 50 years will be at this conference- this reunion- of SEAHO housing professionals. I can barely contain myself. I have been in almost constant contact with "Archivist Queen" Kathy Hobgood over the course of this past year as she has taken the lead in how we will honor this SEAHO milestone. With each phone call, e-mail, and decision, I become more in awe of the incredible history of our beloved association. With each story, piece of memorabilia, photo, and document has been tracked down (Kathy is quite the sleuth!) I am more honored to preside over this 50th meeting of SEAHO. While Kathy is always full of fun and exciting news, the most significant for me has been the growing list of SEAHO's living history- the past leaders- joining us at the conference. I get goose bumps when I look over the list of housing celebrities that will be with us in Louisville. Tom Hardy and the Host Committee have planned an incredible conference. As usual, we have a top-notch professional development and networking event coming your way. We had an overwhelming number of program proposals submitted, so program session will be stellar. All booths available in the Exhibit Hall have been sold. The hotel room block sold out more than 45 days before the conference. And as of this writing, 30 days before the conference opening, we are approaching a record number of delegates. A most fitting way to celebrate 50 years of success. This is a big year in yet another way. The SEAHO Strategic Plan expires this month, so the Executive Board worked hard to craft a new plan that will carry SEAHO through 2019. This exhaustive process included the completion of a member needs assessment in May 2013, review of previous similar assessments, and review of the current strategic plan. The Executive Board then spent two days in retreat where we implemented the following approach to crafting a new plan: SEAHO Approach to Strategic Planning * The Executive Board will be responsible for developing and maintaining mission, vision, and values. * The Executive Board will set and maintain key broad, aspirational 3-5 year goals. * The Executive Board will assign an individual "Champion" for each goal. * For each goal, the Executive Board will develop 2-3 supporting 1-3 year strategies. SEAHO Report Winter 2014 3

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SEAHO Report - Winter 2014