Gather Your Dreams, Nita Nurmi CPS/CAP  

A dream is a translucent thing – it is tough to grasp, harder to grab and even more difficult to hold onto. Many people don’t dream. They may not know how. They may have forgotten how. Some don’t dare to dream, having been discouraged early in life. There are those who dare to dream, but don’t dare put words to it for fear of criticism or failure.

As a dreamer you have two choices – looking back on unfulfilled dreams and trying to justify the lack of success as “life happens”, or to embrace your dream. Once you embrace your dream, take action. Make a bold commitment, putting words to paper and setting out your plan. Don’t let anything get in the way of your achievement. Life will still happen. Challenges will present new obstacles that may delay or divert your path temporarily. If your commitment remains strong, you will find the way. Your dream need not be huge or life-changing. It does need to be something you want to accomplish and are willing to work for. By making a commitment to yourself, you will have started on the pathway toward achievement.

Our dreams (goals) for the Minnesota-North Dakota-South Dakota Division for the 2007-08 year are as follows:

• Increase membership by 8%.Dream big! In order to earn the Distinguished Chapter President’s Award, the chapter must increase in net membership by 7 to 11 members (based on your size) or sponsor a new IAAP chapter. Each member gained at the chapter level, moves the Division along toward its goal as well.
  
• Add at least 1 new Professional Chapter. The New Chapter Builder Committee is continuing to work on the Sioux Falls Chapter. There is also a core group of members working on a new chapter in the Twin Cities. Without a local champion, it is very difficult to build a new chapter. If there is an interest in sponsorship by a your chapter or a group of members, contact Lisa Hogan CPS for details.

• Add at least 1 new Student Chapter.Again, there is a need for a local champion to bring student chapters into our association. Contact Sherri Finke CPS for details on what it takes to start a student chapter in your area.

• Provide tools to assist the individual member in achievement of their Dreams.Through the newsletter, various mailings and Division-sponsored meetings, it is our goal to provide education opportunities that guide you toward the identification and achievement of your dream.

The achievement of our dreams and goals will tie into International President Judy McCoy’s theme for the year of Forward Moving. You will see a continued effort at common branding, pulling our organization into one marketing theme.