I'm ready for a vacation. I just returned from the Dairy Calf and Heifer Conference in Rochester, Minn. The DCHA convention was right after the Alpha Zeta National Agricultural Leadership Conference, so I haven't yet had time to do some of the important follow-up from the NALC.
To that end... Included in this blog is a link to the NALC 2008 Album. I'm working on turning the
NALC-in-Review Slideshow into a video. It will be posted on YouTube and Facebook, along with the blog and eventually the AZ Web site. Here is the
slideshow (sans music).
I'm still looking for additional photos from the NALC. Please send digital photos to my e-mail address or to the national office.
Overall, this was an outstanding conference. For those of you who came, thanks. For those of you who passed up the opportunity to attend for basically nothing, well... I won't say anything other than I'm not pleased.
Between the tours and the high-caliber of speakers, this was definitely one of the best conferences I've been involved with. One chapter who hadn't sent a representative to the NALC in a number of years commented that NALC was "Awesome" among other superlatives. The Townshend Chapter (including Abby, Tim, Beth and Sarah) did a great job putting together the program. A high bar has been set for the North Carolina Chapter.
The 2009 NALC and 51st Biennial Alpha Zeta Conclave is scheduled for March 26-28, 2009, in Raleigh, N.C. Start making plans to attend now.
Need money? Ask your dean, apply for an AgCareers Travel Award, ask your student government. The money's out there. If you don't have it, you're not looking hard enough. If you are looking hard and can't find it, call me.
No time? Talk to your professors early. Alpha Zeta is a professional/leadership conference, not a fraternity meeting. I've never met a professor that won't let you out of class or reschedule a quiz/test for a meeting like this. If they balk, contact your advisor, dean or me. One of us will write a letter on your behalf. Chances are your professor is an AZ or knows about the organization.
Too far? Raleigh is easy to get to. By plane you should be able to get there with one connection. Sure, I wouldn't drive there from Fresno, but you could make it a road trip. Pick up a couple of people from some other chapters. Make it a fun ride.
More to the point, though... It's time to get involved, folks. Engage your Alpha Zeta chapter and make the most of the opportunities presented to you. While it's not his original saying, Jesse Dotterer commented during the conference that "Opportunity is not gained or lost, it is taken."
At NALC, Alpha Zeta rolled out a new Service Leadership Initiative at NALC. This will include support for chapter-led service and fundraising projects that benefit agriculture and natural resources. It will also fund workshops and training to make Alpha Zeta members better servant leaders. Alpha Zeta has committed almost 1/3 of its budget to making service leadership a priority.
Some of that funding can go directly to chapters in the form of challenge grants -- seed money to help launch local projects. The no-interest loans will be repaid to the Alpha Zeta Foundation so the money can be used again by other chapters.
It's time to take this opportunity. Applications will be available soon. Contact me if you're interested.