For The Love Of NAFA
The First Word
By Phillip E. Russo, CAE
NAFA Executive Director
If you’ve ever wondered what NAFA is all about, or what makes this association unique and special, I encourage you to attend a NAFA meeting. Last month I had the privilege of participating in two meetings that were perfect examples of what NAFA is all about.
At the first meeting, nearly 50 fleet managers and suppliers rolled up their sleeves and participated in a 6-hour strategic planning session for NAFA. These selfless leaders, who volunteer to run NAFA’s local chapters and national committees, spent their Saturday hundreds (in some cases, thousands) of miles away from their homes and families to help this association continue its journey to greatness.
The next week, about 30 hand-picked fleet managers and suppliers – some of whom participated in the strategic planning meeting the prior weekend – worked over 10 hours on a Friday night/Saturday morning to begin planning for NAFA’s 2014 Institute & Expo.
These were the last weekends of spring, but these folks gave NAFA their most valuable gifts: time and talent.
Both of these June meetings were clear examples of something that happens at NAFA on a regular basis. I’ve come to learn it’s a rarity anywhere else, but it’s really at the core of what NAFA is and does. At NAFA meetings, people from all sides of the fleet profession, from all walks of life, from every perspective, come together to work for the betterment of the fleet profession with little or no thought of personal reward or gain. They’re at these NAFA meetings to help each other and to help NAFA.
When I thought about why this dynamic is so alive at NAFA and not elsewhere, I came to this realization: it’s because you are NAFA’s owners and shareholders. You lead this association. You determine what this association does. You control where this association puts its resources. You set the strategic direction for this association. Simply put: this association is yours and you are more than just a subscriber, a reader, an attendee, or a sponsor to us. You are NAFA’s very reason for being. And that gives NAFA a unique and extremely strong position in the industry.
The selfless giving of NAFA Members and Affiliates, which seemingly has no bounds and no end, always amazes me. At every NAFA meeting, I stand in awe at the passion and the enthusiasm with which you approach this association. Your loyalty to NAFA is tremendous and is an asset that no other organization in this industry can claim. It is also an asset that I, and my entire staff, hold very dear and work very hard to continue to earn every day.
At the end of each of these recent meetings, I thanked everyone for their efforts, their sacrifices, and their gifts. But my words didn’t seem to do justice to the depth of my thankfulness and I felt like I short-changed everyone a bit. Thankfully, one very gracious person reminded me, "Phil, we do it for the love of NAFA."
There really is nothing better anyone could say.
Thank you!
Phil