Final
Report
KKY - North Central District
Secretary/Treasurer
Adam Wakefield
Final officer reports are hard to write. You are either expected to come up with something profound or something tear-jerking and memorable. I don’t know where this one will go, so I’ll just do my best to sum up this past year.
When I decided to run for a district office last year, I wasn’t even sure which one would be best. Much to my chagrin, at the 2000 Convention, I was nominated for all four offices from the floor. It was hard enough deciding on one to run for. But it just goes to show that this district knows what it needs and will make sure every one is put in their place. So, I walked away with Secretary/Treasurer – not to be thought of as a consolation prize, but as a whole other can of worms. The first challenge was not only updating the complex Policy Handbook, but finding the correct version to start with. On the Jurisdiction Committee last year, we found about 5 different versions floating around out there. Not to belittle any of my fellow officers’ positions, but Sec/Treas is one hard role to fill. It takes the organizational skills of an NASA computer with the resources of the Library of Congress.
As far as the rest of the council, well, it’s been an interesting bunch to work with. It doesn’t take a Freudian analyst to read all the repressed sexual tension between both councils. The innuendos and double entandras fly in quicker succession than automatic machine gun fire. I believe the Quote Book is now in it’s third volume. By the end of this weekend, it will be a 6-book series.
We will start the new year with a balance of about $2700.00. Of course, there are still some last minute expenses to be accounted for. We came out well above the projected totals for the Commissioning Project. We didn’t need to spend a whole lot this past year. We didn’t take on any new fund-raising costs this year because of the large boxes of hats, t-shirts and toothpick holders still in the possession of both Sec/Treases. (btw- hats, shirts, and holders are now available at the unbeatable price of…) One of our new financial challenges will be seeing that the Charles Hass Memorial Scholarship gets off the ground. To do this, all proceeds from the extra fun things we do, like the Fruity Moist Flying Jug of Whatever, will go towards the establishment of that fund at Purdue. (side note: last year’s jug brought in $164.34)
Thanks to webmaster Brian Shaw, the District document database is still operational. I hope that this vital tool will eventually replace the need to physically send disks out to chapters – thus, saving the District a good chunk of change each year. I think Brian deserves all our thanks in providing this service for us.
Recommendations for any future District Officer: (This will pertain to things outside of usual business.) First of all, don’t take anything at face value. Because of the position you’re in, you will hear a lot of things about a lot of chapters and people. Don’t assume that just because you’re on an upper level, you have all the information. There’s always more to the story, so don’t cast judgment based on rumor or hearsay. Second, learn your office, but more importantly, learn how things run. Power is a dangerous thing in the hands of the ignorant. Third, just have fun. These are the easiest friends you’re ever going to make.
I’d like to thank the NCD for giving me this opportunity to serve. It’s been an interesting ride, to say the least. (added thanks to Amy Dorsch for telling me to take whatever was put in front of me)
Thank you to Malinda, who always has it together. Any crisis that may arise, she’s dealt with before. Nothing seems to phase her. She is our rock, our touchstone. She is also one of the most easy-going people I’ve met. In her mind, there is no such thing as a crisis – only a new challenge. We’re lucky we don’t have to share her with the other districts. If they had her, they wouldn’t let her go.
Thank you to my cohort in the other room. Danielle has been a joy to work with, (when I wasn’t under suspicion of Bull theft.) I hope her spirit rubs off on the next TBS council.
Thank you to my fellow officers here. I thank you most of all for understanding when other responsibilities surfaced right in the middle of Council business. Doug, I’m glad you finally have a car that’s as reliable as you are. As a chapter president, I thank you for the support you gave ZE this year. Ryan, thanks for bringing a level of experience to the council. Luckily, the transition was easy for you. Smacks, you stepped right up as a young brother and showed that you were serious about taking on a major role in the District. Next time you’re in East Lansing, I’ll make sure you get your share of a bucket.
Thank you to my chapter for understanding when I had to set aside my Presidential duties to see to District affairs. A bit of personal bias here, but I believe that ZE is one of the strongest, most self-sufficient chapters in the country. You guys rock, and you never cease to amaze me.
Thank you to the Volkswagen Corporation and all the fine Germans who brought back the classic Beetle. I’ve enjoyed mine very much these past 8 months – especially all the funny looks I got and the $200 in gas it saved me on district road trips. It’s been the most reliable car I’ve ever seen. I highly recommend you all go out and buy two or three of your own.
And finally, extra special thanks to my fiancée, Briana. Over the past year, she has endured long weekends, road rage, lost directions, ice storms, cold showers and whatever else in order to make sure I didn’t have to make 7 hour road trips all alone. She has been an endless well of support and, well, tolerance. I know she’ll be the happiest knowing she won’t have to wade through the mountain of paperwork and merchandise that has taken over our spare room for 12 months.
Respectfully Submitted
In the Bond,
Adam Wakefield
NCD Secretary/Treasurer 2000-2001