 | MESPA: the #1 Professional Organization for Principals
May 2007 --
from MESPA President Patrick Murray
"I know that it is all of us coming together, donating our skills and talents, that has helped to secure our place as a positive force in public education."
Having been active in MESPA for 18 years, I have had the opportunity to see and watch many Minnesota principals “donate” their skills and talents to help make MESPA the #1 Professional Organization for Principals.
Having been extremely active these past four years, I have had a firsthand view of what it takes to run an effective association. Unless you are there, and I’m not there often, you have no idea of all the little things that are being looked at for all of us. Whether it is a phone call to our executive director, Fred Storti, about a not-so-hot conversation you had with your superintendent; or a call to the always cheerful Rosie Mitchell regarding membership; or a friendly reminder from Joan Kaupon to be sure to have my article completed and turned in on time; or Judy Balduc taking another picture to get into the Advocate; or Roger Aronson calling me in the middle of a meeting wondering what I thought about an idea he had to make his legislative principal workshops even better; and, of course, Olivia Gault, who has taken on a role that makes sure all of us know what is happening at all times and to be sure to be there and do it -- our MESPA team is without question one of the best. They take what they do very seriously and our organization prospers because of their commitment to MESPA and the leadership we, as an association, provide for children.
While I am looking forward to seeing Dick Oscarson and the rest of his executive board -- Jon Millerhagen, Pat Pribyl, and Jean Clark -- take over the MESPA reins and continue on its main path of advocacy, I know I will miss the camaraderie we have all gained in getting to know each other. I hope the friendships we have secured will be lifelong. Each of us, with our own strengths and putting up with my weaknesses, have spent a lot of time making sure that MESPA continues to be worth the buck we are paying.
When I was elected, I said it would be an honor to represent MESPA and that I would be an advocate for Principals and Children. I hope that I have done that. I know that our Institute has been very well received. I know that we have moved forward with a number of tough initiatives. I know that the role of the principal has increased in stature and prominence at the Minnesota Department of Education. And I further know that it is all of us coming together, donating our skills and talents, that has helped to secure our place as a positive force in public education.
As I said at Institute, my whole life is surrounded with education. My wife is a teacher; my son is student teaching at an elementary school in White Bear Lake; my daughter is a junior looking forward to being a social studies teacher in the secondary ranks; and my youngest daughter is looking forward to continuing her education at Minnesota State University - Mankato next year. While I will miss my day-to-day contact with MESPA, I am pleased to know that the leadership of our elected people will continue to make being a principal one of the best occupations in today’s market.
Thank you all for electing me to be your representative; it was time well spent. I look forward to my final year representing you as MESPA past-president. And, yes, that may be me, skipping a meeting at the Leadership Conference next September and heading out to the golf course a little early. So if you want to join me on the course, get involved in a leadership role -- either with your division or at the state level. It was well worth the “donation” of my time and efforts! For you see, I know that MESPA is in good hands. FORE!
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