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However, as I was thinking about
the evolution of FASS that has culminated with its first Strategic
Plan, I realized that there were individuals who need to be
acknowledged for their foresight and effort and who are responsible
for laying the foundation for our success: The Society Structure
Committee.
The concept of federating began years ago, but it really
began to take shape in late 1995 with the formation of the
Society Structure Committee (the precursor to the FASS Board
of Directors). The structure committee comprised representatives
from ADSA, ASAS, PSA, AMSA, ARPAS, and FASFAS:
Society Members—
David Anderson, Melvin Hunt, Mary Ann Ottinger, Hank Engster,
Elton Aberle, Barbara Glenn, Richard Roeder, Larry Satter,
William Sandine, Bernie Wentworth, Len Bull, Roger Hemken,
and Roger Natzke.
Staff and Facilitator—
Carl Johnson, Robert Zimbelman, Charles Sapp, and David MacKenzie.
The extraordinary effort of this group resulted in the concept
paper, “Exploration of the Concept of a National Federation
of Professional Societies of Animal Science,” which
served as the foundation for the development of the Federation
as we know it today. In reviewing that concept paper from
May of 1996, I was impressed by the foresight it expresses
in how our organization works and has become successful. This
valuable document is revitalized in FASS’ most recent
Strategic Plan. The same overarching goals are still there:
o Preserve the Member Societies’ identity and autonomy.
o Provide advocacy to have “one voice” for animal
science professionals
o Gain efficiency in administrative and support functions.
o Facilitate activities to take advantage of jointly planned
projects, coordinated efforts, and the sharing of benefits
derived from acting for the collective good.
FASS, to this point, has been extremely successful in reaching
each of those overarching goals, and those goals continue
to serve as the foundation of what FASS will do in the coming
years as put forth in the recent Strategic Plan. Our record
of performance and achievement is plain for all to see, and
there should be confidence that FASS will reach the goals
of the Strategic Plan with the same efficiency of effort and
cost.
With the continued support of the Founding Societies, FASS
will continue its implementation of the newly adopted Strategic
Plan with the same confidence that has guided it in the first
five years of its existence. I am confident that the Founding
Societies will see those similarities between the original
goals and their positive support then, and the Strategic Plan
goals and their positive support now. Of course, implementation
will take great effort on the part of the FASS staff and Board,
but everyone is ready and willing to proceed with that effort.
Chuck Sapp
chucks@assochq.org |
