Jan/Feb, 2009 - President's Report |
| Posted by Rhonda Messamore (rmessamore) on Jan 19 2009 |
Greetings Fellow CAADAC Members!
As I finish my term as CAADAC’s President in a couple of weeks, I experience a profound sense of gratitude for the opportunity you, the members, have bestowed upon me to lead this wonderful organization. Thirty-two days and twenty years ago, I entered a treatment center and met a man by the name of Jim Fulton (yes, a past CAADAC President and namesake for CAADAC’s annual James Fulton Memorial Award) who became my counselor. I was so thoroughly impressed by the job he did in guiding me to a new way of life that I decided I too wanted to become a counselor. When I first started going to school and asked which organization I should become certified by, I was told that CAADAC was by far the most respected credentialing body in our profession. Well, I followed that direction and have never regretted it.
When I got to CAADAC, I was thoroughly impressed by those who were in positions of leadership in our organization. The likes of Jim Fulton, Mary Catherine Fitzgerald, Phil Belleville, and Gary Cesena really impressed me with their professional demeanor, passion for our profession, and a genuine interest in ensuring that those who suffer from alcoholism and drug addiction receive care from counselors who possess adequate training and experience. I just couldn’t wait to become part of an organization that aspired to such a mission. I remember how thrilled I was to be named as the 2 South Regional Secretary and the sense of pride I felt to be of service to the organization in that way.
I remember how proud Mary Catherine and Jim were of me as they took me under their wings. I’ll never forget the phone call I received from then President, Phil Belleville, who asked me if I would be interested in being appointed to a board position that had opened up, nor will I forget the feeling of joy and gratitude I experienced at that next board meeting when outgoing Board member Nancy Dewey stood up, pulled her chair out, and signaled for me to sit down as a new board member! I’ll never forget how accomplished and challenged I felt at my second board meeting when I was appointed the Quality Assurance Chair – a position that another of my CAADAC mentors, Gary Cesena, had once chaired; I never could have imagined that I would eventually be elected as CAADAC’s President!
I’ve had some great mentors in my career, and they certainly steered me in the right direction when they had me board the CAADAC train. I have, to the best of my ability, attempted to lead this organization in a way that would make them proud. I’ve tried to view every leadership decision through the lens of how it would affect our ability to ensure that every alcoholic and addict who presents for treatment receives such care by adequately trained and experienced counselors. I sincerely hope that I have met any expectations you had of me when you elected me to the position.
That said, a leader is only as good as the people around him, and that certainly applies here; I want to acknowledge the Board members I’ve worked with during my term, as their genuine care for our organization, and the patients we treat, is very apparent. These volunteers work very hard for us and the support they have exhibited for me during some very trying times has been invaluable. I have had the pleasure of working with the CCB Board over the last couple of years as well and the fervor by which they protect our valued credential is admirable. I also need to give a big shout out to our incredible office staff who consistently meets our members’ every need and who so efficiently held the fort down while Rhonda was gone. I especially want to thank and acknowledge the volunteer Executive Committee members I worked with during my term: Treasurer –
I have done my best in keeping you abreast of the happenings in our organization over the last couple of years, so I won’t attempt to summarize here. I would just leave you with a reminder that everything we do as members of this organization is for the chemically dependent patient; that person fighting for his or her life who desperately needs our help. I hope we never, ever lose sight of that. So as I make my: “assent to hasbeenhood” (as Warren Daniels puts it) and pass the baton on to my good friend
May you all have a joyous 2009!
Bob
Last changed: Jan 19 2009 at 9:54 PM
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