As this will serve as my last official opportunity to report on our association’s goals and visions over the past 4 years, I’d like to do it more as a review with suggestions on continued progress and direction as I see it.

It is my hope that the incoming administration will continue to work toward our overall goals while adding their own unique touches along the way. In whatever direction we move, let us never forget that as elected or appointed officials, our task is to move the American Farrier’s Association (AFA) in the direction its members at large want to see it go. As with any association, the real challenge is found in judging the true pulse of the membership while struggling through the thunder of the special interest groups.

Understanding Needed

I believe that our two greatest challenges have been the lack of an overall understanding of our corporate responsibilities vs. our program-management goals. While interdependent, the two functions require totally unique approaches. Managing the corporate side successfully is what provides the resources needed to successfully offer the vast array of programs AFA members desire.

While there is still much that needs to be done in this area, the foundations were set with our hiring of an executive director, plus the work we have done in reorganizing our office procedures.

We continue to struggle with the historical challenges we have always faced — succumbing to extremes and our imprisonment in the past! Despite concerted efforts over the last…