Are You Leading the Way?
by Bonnie Hole, PP, PLS, RP, CNSA, CPCA, ACP

While trying to decide a topic for this month, I thought about how each of us sets a high standard in our respective firms and within NALS, itself.  Is it our mission to lead the way for new and prospective new members?  You bet it is and here is how we can accomplish that goal.

1. Attend Chapter Meetings.  Our local chapters need our support and by attending monthly meetings we show our support, gain valuable CLE hours, and meet new members.  The networking alone may lead the way to resources we did not have prior to attending a particular meeting.  Bring a co-worker or friend with you to the meeting to expose them to the professionalism and camaraderie we share.
2. Participate on a Chapter Committee.  Once you attend a few monthly meetings of your local chapter, you should consider joining a committee.  What benefit will you reap?  Teamwork, personal growth, sharing of ideas and goals, working for the common good of your local chapter. 
3. Become an Elected Officer of Your Local Chapter.  Experience comes with participation.  You lead the way by serving your chapter as an elected officer.  The professional and personal growth through this experience is boundless.
4. Become Certified.  If you have ever considered certification, you are on the right track to leading the way to excellence.  Take it one step further and join the On-line Study Group or your local chapter’s study group, or whatever you must do to achieve this goal.  No other activity sets the standard higher than certification at any level.  You truly lead the way for others in your firm, for those in your professional group, and for yourself.
5. Teach a Certification Study Group.  This task is monumental and more worthwhile than you can ever imagine.  The preparation takes time, commitment, and resolve.  The rewards are astronomical. 
6. Motivate Others.  When you achieve a goal within this profession, share it with others by encouraging them to pursue their own professional goals. 
7. Educate Others.  This not only includes certification but also any chapter activities, elected offices, committee work, and much more.  Mentor the new officers, have leadership-training programs, and lead the way to professional growth.
8. Celebrate Others’ Achievements.  Celebrate and recognize the achievements of all members on all levels.  It is important to acknowledge new certifications, hard work on a committee, anniversaries, birthdays, and any special achievement by a member. 

This is just a short list of the many things you can do on the local level to lead the way.  Remember, you can do the same thing on the state level and the national level.  When you reach a decision to participate by jumping in with both feet, the rewards are endless.  You lead the way for others to follow and blaze their own path to professional and personal growth.  You raise the bar each time you achieve a goal.

I encourage you to participate on any level, to step out of your comfort zone to achieve a goal you have set for yourself, and to motivate, educate, and celebrate those achievements leading the way to excellence.