President's Message
by:Roy R. Lessly
FUTIAWA President

‘Living with Change’
Each day, as we pick up the newspaper or turn on the television, we are bombarded with articles about how the world around us is changing. Changes are related to the economy, politics, and other areas which impact our day-to-day lives. Many of these proposed changes will be positive while others may be made only for the purpose of change itself.

As a county extension agent working to bring about changes in clientele, I found out early in my career the importance in involving clientele in the change process and helping them understand how they will be impacted by each change. That is why it is important for us to stay involved when changes impacting our organization are proposed at the county, district, university and/or state levels.

Each of the components of the UT Institute of Agriculture has made several changes during the past year in both personnel and programs and should be complimented on the involvement of employees in these processes.

As retirees it is critical that we continue to stay involved in any changes impacting the UTIA. I feel that our association does an excellent job of keeping retirees informed of proposed changes via email and related web pages or through the newsletter. If you have any concerns and/or input, please express these either through active members of the institute or through the association’s district and state officers.

As your new president, I have two goals for the association during the next year. These are: (1) to increase our membership, and (2) to increase participation at district and state meetings. I need your ideas on how we might achieve each of these goals, so please drop me a note as to any changes you would propose for our association.

I look forward to working this year with secretary-treasurer Alma Pike, newsletter editor George Mays and the district officers and members.

You, as a member of the organization, can play an important role, so stay in touch!