posted by Hamza on May 21

If we look back at America’s history we can recall Benjamin Franklin’s flag of 1754 that shows a snake cut into thirteen parts and below the snake, the motto “Join, or Die.”

Clearly, the message to colonial America was unite or fail.

We are in a similar situation here in CFA. We are facing an internal financial crisis that is aggravated by a global recession and facing the real possibility of the failure of our organization. When you get a minute, go to our poll and let me know what you think about our financial situation.

Our situation is very similar to the situation that the colonies faced back in 1754. The colonist’s solution must be our solution. If history teaches us anything it’s that in unity there is strength and in strength there is the ability to form a united front.

To succeed, we must form a united front.

What does forming a united front mean? It means that all of us must work together with one voice and in concert to find our way to more solid ground. The first step to forming a united front is for all of us to revitalize our clubs.

Revitalization means that if you are not in a club now, Join One. If you belong to a club now, do a little more to help. If you are members of a club, open your doors and welcome new members. Use your shows as a way to entice new exhibitors and club members into your organization. You must use your clubs as the marketing force for CFA in your area. If we can keep our clubs’ energized, then we can poise ourselves for the changes we must embrace to secure our future. In securing our future, each of us must all look deep inside and see what inherent talents we have to give CFA.

It has always been my belief that we are stocked full of talent in this fancy. We have information technology experts, we have artists, we have veterinarians, doctors and brain surgeons, we have lawyers, we have legislation experts, and we have marketing specialists.

WE HAVE IT ALL! I have always asserted that if we organize, unify and harness all of this wonderful talent, we will succeed!

It is my intention to create a congenial environment for success. This is our fancy and I intend to open the doors wide and use all this talent to ensure our future. Good leadership is not controlling. Good leadership matches the right talent to the right task. Good leadership coordinates efforts so that the chances of success are great. Good leadership keeps morale high by fostering a selfless team atmosphere.

After Benjamin Franklin was successful at uniting the colonists he adopted this flag. “Don’t Tread On Me.” The coiled snake and the phrase itself called self-directing, responsible individuals to decide for themselves what they should do, without needing anyone else to give them an assignment or supervise their efforts.

The message symbolized the essence of transformational leadership and solidified their resolve as a unified entity that was committed to change and in their hearts, never accepting failure.

With that same resolve and solidarity we can take on our current challenges and transform the organization into something greater.

Ready to unite? Let me know! Email jerry@cfapresident.com

Yours in solidarity,

Jerry