By Suzette Senn
Dear CCBO Colleagues,
I am very honored and humbled to be President of our great organization for the upcoming year. CCBO’s mission statement is "We transform lives by empowering community colleges with the knowledge and skills essential for collaboration and sustainability." Our greatest reward as community college business officers is to recognize the role that we play in the future of our students. We are normally behind the scenes and do not get to interact daily with our students. However, without the financial stability of your institution, there would be no students. You are the brains and the heartbeat of your institution that allows programs and departments to be funded, items to be purchased, salaries to be paid, buildings and grounds to be maintained, faculty and staff to be hired, auxiliary services and safety to be provided, and so much more. I salute each of you for the part that you play in serving your institution.
I would like to take this time to encourage you to promote this organization as a Community College Business Officers member. We need to increase membership in our organization, participation in our Leadership Academy, and participation in our annual conference. Please reach out to your peers in your state and region and encourage them to become a part of this great organization. Our business partners are a vital part of our organization, and we welcome any of them to participate in our annual conference. Perhaps there is a business partner that you are involved with that you could invite to participate in our annual conference. Maybe you would like to partner with them and present a webinar. It is important for everyone to become involved!
I know that this next year will be a phenomenal experience! It is our obligation to look towards the future and prepare great business officers to contribute to the success of our students and the future of our institutions!!
Please remember the dates of our 2017 Annual International Conference and Leadership Academy. The conference will be held September 23 - 26, 2017 at the Astor Crowne Plaza, New Orleans, Louisiana. And remember, Laissez les bons temps rouler (Let the Good Times Roll). See you in New Orleans!