Without the leadership and forward-thinking of our predecessors, ASBO International would not be the nearly 10,000-member-strong association that it is today. We, the practitioners, would not have the plethora of resources at our fingertips that enable us to perform our jobs effectively and efficiently, allowing us to provide the resources necessary for our students to succeed.
As president, I get to choose a theme for the year. My theme, “Journey – History Honored – Future Envisioned,” demonstrates the commitment to preserving the legacy of those who have come before me while embracing the opportunities and the possibilities that lie ahead.
As the saying goes, “By honoring the past, we create a stronger foundation for a brighter future.” This belief inspires and guides my vision for the year.
As I look at the recommendations and think about the characteristics of associations that last over a century, I feel confident that the Vision 35 Task Force identified areas that will continue to allow ASBO International to remain one of the few professional associations still active for more than a century.
History Honored
ASBO International turns 115 years old this year. While I was not able to locate any specific data on how many professional associations last 100 years or more, the consensus was that only a small percentage survive for a century. Those that do generally have three things in common: (1) member engagement and a willingness to expand and rethink who can belong to the association, (2) the adaptability and the capacity to explore new ideas, and (3) financial stability.
Interestingly, over the years, it seems that ASBO International has modeled and continues to model these three characteristics. ASBO International has expanded its membership eligibility and its name along the way. In 1910, the association began as the National Association of School Accounting Officers. The name continued to change as the membership expanded, finally landing 40 years ago, in 1985, under the current name of Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO International).
Membership changed from United States school accounting officers in 1910 to currently any school system employee around the world who performs school business functions. Member engagement has grown from the first annual conference where, as reported in the January/February 2010 issue of School Business Affairs, “members argued for the fiscal and legal separation of schools and municipalities” to our current conferences, webinars, committee opportunities, global school business network, and more.
As the membership demographics and the role of the school business official changed, ASBO International adapted to meet the needs of the members and continues to explore the latest ideas and embrace innovation to help members meet the challenges of the profession.
When it comes to financial stability, ASBO International membership began with and continues to include the school finance officers, whose primary focus is the financial stability of their district, which automatically extends to the association. Through my readings, I also learned that the conference exhibit hall began in the 1920s. ASBO International’s relationship with our wonderful vendors and sponsors, who generously support our programs, has only continued to grow.
If you are interested in learning more about the history of ASBO International and how the association grew during the first 100 years, please check out the January/February 2010 edition of School Business Affairs. A wealth of history and little tidbits about the association can be found in this one issue.
Future Envisioned
In September 2024, the ASBO Board of Directors accepted the Vision 35 Task Force Report. This task force, consisting of more than 60 ASBO members, was formed to review and reflect on the recommendations and actions that resulted from the Futures Task Force 2005 Report and to consider what ASBO International needs to do over the next 5-10 years to remain relevant and meet the needs of school business officials of today and tomorrow.
This document and the recommendations will provide guidance as ASBO Boards (current and future) and ASBO staff work together to develop both strategic and operational plans.
The Task Force categorized recommendations into eight main categories: (1) Governance, (2) ASBO/Affiliate Partnerships, (3) Member Benefits/Values, (4) Professional Learning, (5) Conferences, (6) Communication and Awareness of ASBO International and the SBO Profession, (7) Innovation and Evolution of Technology, and (8) Corporate/Association Partnerships. Each category has several recommendations.
As I look at the recommendations and think about the characteristics of associations that last over a century, I feel confident that the Vision 35 Task Force identified areas that will continue to allow ASBO International to remain one of the few professional associations still active for more than a century.
Some of the recommendations that I believe fit into the three characteristics of long-standing associations include:
- Conducting a similar study at least every five years.
- Looking at ways to best collaborate with our affiliate partners.
- Developing strategies to increase relevance for both current and future members.
- Constructing and executing a content learning strategy to provide learning opportunities that meet the needs of members.
- Ensuring professional standards reflect emerging technologies, cybersecurity, environmental sustainability, and changing demographics.
- Investing in research and developing tools for how to use emerging technologies safely and effectively in school finance .
- Prioritizing the critical role that both organization and corporate partners play in supporting and advancing asbo international.
These recommendations, among others in the report, demonstrate the need for member engagement, the willingness to embrace new ideas, and the impact staying relevant and meeting the needs of members has on overall financial stability. I am so grateful to be a part of envisioning the future of our association.
How can you be part of this future? Get involved in ASBO International and in your state affiliate. Join a committee, author an article for SBN, run for office, or respond to a question on the Global School Business Network. The opportunities are endless.
The experiences and expertise of our members are among ASBO International’s greatest assets … we just need you to share. If you are interested in learning more about how to get involved, please reach out to me or a member of the ASBO staff. I can tell you from experience that you will gain so much, and your involvement will help to ensure the future of ASBO International.
I am honored to serve as president this year and so excited to be part of this journey.