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By Rick Wilkerson, CCHS former President
In recent years, successful organizations
have recognized that it is not enough to work hard—we must work SMART:
Managing our resources is always a challenge but failure to plan for the
future leaves the unprepared behind.
As a business, the pursuit of history is
oriented to the past and that cannot be planned. But like any other
endeavor, we must handle our financial and human resources with a forward
outlook. Successful managers seek out talent, nurture it and promote it from
within. Grooming the leaders of tomorrow is a prerequisite for long-term
viability. And we, the CONFERENCE, have an exceptionally promising source of
future leaders.
The California State Board of Education
requires that all students perform community service to qualify for a High
School diploma. Within each graduating class are students who plan to pursue
higher education in history. This enthusiastic, fertile field of potential
leaders awaits our cultivation.
Also, California is at the top of the
National History Day competition. Sponsored by the State Department of
Education and the Constitutional Rights Foundation, California students have
consistently been top winners for the 20 years of the competition.
Review the membership categories of the
CONFERENCE. Each can use student interns. Using the same procedure we employ
to inform schools that we provide awards for History Day, contact your local
junior and senior high schools and ask to meet with the supervising
instructor of the community service requirement program and provide them
with your opportunity for students to get into the history business on the
ground floor. Working in a library or museum as a docent or a gofer, the
thrill of grass roots participation will impress these young historians. For
some it will create a lasting bond and, hopefully, bring them back to us in
later life when we need their experience and professional talents.
Your new president knows this. He was one
of those cultivated many decades ago.
And while you are sponsoring CCHS high
school interns, also remember to work smart for the future and ASK A FRIEND
TO JOIN THE CONFERENCE. ! |
