CEO & PRESIDENT’S LETTER
HONOR AND LEGACY S
hortly after I began working at NALP, then PLANET, I attended Renewal & Remembrance at Arlington National Cemetery and it had such an impact on me. I brought my whole family, that time and many more times, and I remember that my first impression was – what a phenomenal event. More than just being impressed by the event itself – I was impressed by the industry. I was amazed that hundreds of
landscape and lawn care companies sent equipment and teams of employees, at each company’s expense, to volunteer at this event and were at the same time, so honored to be there. I have worked at a number of different associations before coming to NALP, and none of them have an event that even comes close to the emotional power and value to the public that Renewal & Remembrance has. I have never gotten chills or been brought to tears at any other association event, like I do at Renewal and Remembrance. I am not alone in my feelings about this event. Most attendees feel the same way; they feel the power of giving back to those sacred grounds. For me, it is powerful because we are serving people, who recently or even long ago, served us. But also because I am in awe of an industry that takes their commitment to serve the public so seriously, does it so professionally, and with such grace and humility. I knew after my first Renewal & Remembrance that I was working in a special industry, one in which I am honored to serve.
I love to bring my two sons, Bryce and Jack, with me so that they can experience service to others. It is the one time of the year when they have to awake before 6:00 a.m. and don’t complain about it. And one of the special things for me is to look at the other children of members, and see how they have grown over the years. Some are now working in the industry as adults and they still come back each year to volunteer. Everyone buried at Arlington has left a legacy and it is special to see our legacy there too. Projects like the Rose Garden and the gardens that were planted by the children which are now mature and flourishing and the historic trees that are still there because of our work are a physical representation of the heart, commitment and patriotism that our industry has. I am honored and humbled to work in such an amazing industry. 7
WANNA GET AWAY? O
ver the last few years, we’ve heard that phrase, enough, one used by Southwest Airlines to promote holiday travel. Well, it applies to associations and businesses, too, but for those entities it should read, “Need to Get Away.” This May, the NALP Board spent three days in Northern Virginia getting to know one another, so we could become a stronger board. There was orientation for new
members, a reminder about the responsibility all board members have to our association, and an open discussion about key issues impacting NALP and the industry, including finding ways to continually add value to membership and to support the Industry Growth Initiative (IGI). We’ve had substantial wins in both areas, but there’s still plenty of work to be done. Creating value for value sake isn’t good enough; it has to be the right kind of value that makes the most sense for members. IGI is off to a good start, too. Already, our industry has become more visible through TV and press coverage. Now, we need to find ways to keep funding an effort this is working. The discussions, moderated by a facilitator, were very strategic at one level and, at another, very refreshing. There’s something about getting away from the day-to-day that sharpens one’s focus. It also affords associates an opportunity to get to know one another a little better, which is a good thing at both the personal and business level. It happened at the board retreat, and it can happen at home, too. Frankly, it’s something I want to take back to our company. We don’t formally go on retreats, but we will. I chalk it up as another valuable learning experience gained from being a member of our association for 15 years and being involved.
Thanks go out to all the volunteers on the board and to Sabeena for their ongoing commitment and hard work. A special thanks, as well, to Kristen Fefes, Jim McCutcheon, and Roger Phelps who are stepping down from the board, and we welcome three new members, Peter Farno, Mike Bogan, and Frank Mariani. As a side note, while in the area I stopped by the NALP office and met with the NALP staff. Sabeena introduced everyone to me and encouraged us to share something about ourselves. We did. It wasn’t a retreat, but in some ways it made a similar impact. We parted knowing each other on a more personal level. They are a wonderful hard working group. 7
Sabeena Hickman, CEO NALP
Brett Lemcke, Landscape Industry Certified NALP President
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THE LANDSCAPE PROFESSIONAL > JULY/AUGUST 2016
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