NACAS – Connections for Auxiliaries and Parenthood

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As in the preparations throughout pregnancy, each of your auxiliaries spend many months gearing up for the "birth" of a new project or operation, balancing budgets, or welcoming a new class of students.  Why do we spend endless hours worrying that our decision to launch this new operation is correct or if the materials or resources we’ve collected are the right ones to move a project forward?  Will we have the right tools in place to maintain the operation?  Who will we call upon should we have questions or hiccups along the way?

My hope is that each of you connects with your 2,400 NACAS peers in cases such as these. You’ve met colleagues at NACAS conferences or professional development events.  You’ve learned new answers by participating in the NACAS on-line community discussions.  You’ve read an article in College Services magazine that sparks a new idea for your auxiliaries.  You know there is strength in numbers; you know you can find support from colleagues who have perhaps stood in your shoes tackling similar auxiliary questions.

Many of you have also connected with my family to show my husband and I support as we learn to become parents.  Your advice, listening ear, and suggestions on parenting resources have been a valuable asset during our preparation process.  Just like your nerves that seem frayed until the new operation is open and fully functional, we continue to have first-children jitters.  You have reassured us of the normalcy of this state and promised that the skills we have learned through our affiliation with NACAS will keep us strong and confident.

I cannot thank my NACAS colleagues enough for their care and concern throughout my pregnancy.  The arrival of our baby girls is imminent and the strong connections in NACAS are apparent.  While I will miss the NACAS Annual Conference in October, I wish all of you well in the "birth" of your new auxiliary endeavors throughout the summer and fall.

Sincerely,
Abby Tammen, CMP
Associate Executive Director