PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
- Rita Stewart, President
765-285-1396 / rstewart@bsu.edu 

As I go about my work this year as president, I am constantly aware of the fact that I could not do this without a lot of help and support from all of you. In fact, one of the greatest rewards of my membership in this vital, healthy Association is that I never have to “go it alone”!

During my years working with the ACCED-I Mentoring Program, I came across a memorable story of the power of groups at work. In her book, The Mentor’s Guide, Lois J. Zachary relates the story of two trees. One was planted in the middle of an open field with no competition for sunshine and nutrients, while the other tree was planted in the midst of a forest. Ecologists tell us the tree planted in the clearing of a forest will grow more successfully. The roots of the forest tree are able to follow the intricate pathways created by former trees and embed themselves more deeply than the tree breaking new ground in an open field. Over time, the roots of the forest trees actually graft themselves to one another, creating a mat of life hidden beneath the earth, enabling the stronger trees to share their resources with the others so the whole forest becomes healthier.

Thus, is the story of ACCED-I. We thrive best when we are in the presence of others in the business of collegiate conferences and events. We share our resources with one another, we create a strong interdependent mat of support through our friendships, and when we break new ground, we break it together – as a team.

As we are winding down from our busy summers, I encourage you to contribute to the health of our Association, and to sink your roots deeper, by your volunteerism and activism:

· Become a member of an ACCED-I committee or project team
· Make plans now to attend your fall regional meeting
· Participate in the studies and surveys that help define our operations
· Use our resources and communication tools often

Most importantly, take a moment to connect with another ACCED-I member. Call that new friend you made at the Annual Conference in Baltimore, visit a fellow member at a nearby campus, or select a random member from another region and get acquainted over the phone. Our strength is in our communication and support for each other. That’s how we sink our roots deeper in this Association and grow fuller in our knowledge and skills.

Sadly, ACCED-I lost a strong link in our interdependent mat of life when Jack Thornton left us last month. The roots that he put down for this Association and the sharing of himself and his resources may never again be matched. The path that he carved will be with us always.

©2007, ACCED-I, Reprint Permission