Spring is a particularly busy time for ABI

April 7, 2016 | Mike Ralston, ABI President

ABI President Mike Ralston

Many Iowans believe the General Assembly is nearing its final month of action for the year. And, they seem to believe that means ABI is slowing down its work, too.

Nothing is further from the truth!

This is a very busy and productive time for ABI programming. First of all, our public policy team of Nicole Crain, Jessica Harder, Myron Linn and Michelle Vollstedt is working extremely hard to close out the legislative session in a strong way.

This session will go down as one of ABI's most successful ever, thanks to you and thanks to Gov. Terry Branstad, Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds, and to legislators of both parties. However, as Yogi Berra said, "it ain't over 'til it's over," and there is more work to do. When the Legislature does adjourn, our public policy team will simply shift gears and transition to political work; working with candidates, managing issues, and raising PAC funds. I guarantee they are busy.

The ABI Foundation team of Kay Neumann-Thomas, Jessi Steward, and Jane Galloway is also busy. The team is holding the final sessions of the 2015-2016 Leadership Iowa Class, preparing for Business Horizons 2016, and getting ready for Leadership Iowa University in the fall. The Foundation team also provides assistance and support to Young Professionals of Iowa, our state's leading YP organization, and of course is conducting a search for a new development director. I guarantee they are busy.

And this is the busiest time of the year for our membership team of Kathy Anderson, Dorothy Knowles, and Holly Mueggenberg. In addition to the usual work of membership development, Holly, Kathy, and Dorothy are focused on making the 2016 Taking Care of Business Conference the VERY BEST EVER. Believe me, they are busy.

Communications Coordinator Emily Schettler is helping each of these teams do great work and helping get their message out in a terrific way. Chrissy Blake is developing the proposed budget for FY17 (and getting ready to have a baby any day now), Gary Nash and Kerry Servas are selling memberships, and Michele Farrell and Robyn Denson are leading ABI's Elevate initiative. All of these folks are very busy.

I say it often; being busy is one thing. Being productive and providing value for members is another -- and that better be what we are about at ABI. All of this is made possible only by the investment, support, and leadership of ABI members. THANK YOU for making that the case!