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2005 annual report to members the stability of change.

Article Excerpt
Is change good or bad? Well, that depends on how you look at it. Do you view change as an opportunity to improve, a reason to excel, or a chance to make a difference? Or do you view it as a burden, something that is unnecessary, or a nuisance like those last annoying pennies in your pocket?

We, as educators, have to embrace change. In fact, we already do. The history of education is rife with change and frill of educators who accepted the challenge of doing something new. Can you imagine what our classrooms would look like if we didn't welcome change? There would be no women or minority students, there would be no computers, there would be little to no use of technological advances, and there would be no Perkins funding to support career and technical education.

It has been this steady stream of change that has given us the opportunity to educate children and improve the quality of their lives. As a result of being open and responsive to change, we can take pride in the knowledge that students we teach are improving our society, our country and our world!

As ACTE members, we are part of a dynamic organization that not only accepts change, but thrives in the environment that results from change. This organization, your organization, is able to address your needs, even though those needs continue to change.

Just look at what has transpired this past year. Based on your changing needs for information, ACTE redesigned and revamped Techniques magazine; based on your need to expand your networking capabilities, ACTE employed online Communities of Practice; and based on your need for continued quality professional development, ACTE reacted quickly and efficiently to relocate our Annual Convention and Career Tech Expo. This type of activity does not happen in an organization that sticks to "what's always been done."

We are fortunate to be involved in career and technical education at time when our environment survives on our professional feedback and input. We have become the agents of change, not merely those who must react and adjust to change. It is our voice that is affecting change on Capitol Hill, our actions that are saving and increasing the career and technical education opportunities in our communities, and our focus that gives students the chance to thrive.

Now, as change agents, we must continue our push. We must encourage our colleagues to join our professional organization; we must step forward to lead this organization through future change; and we must look for opportunities to capitalize on the change that will happen. Above all, we must insure that the change we embrace serves our students, our profession and our nation.

I look forward to the next year and the challenges it will undoubtedly present. I also know that working with outstanding members, volunteers and leaders, this Association will continue to grow and attract dedicated career and technical educators and supporters.

As change leads us forward,...

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