09/30/2016

· Only 85 more shopping days left ‘til Christmas!

· “Community is about hearing everybody’s story. It’s not about hearing just this story OR that story. It’s about hearing this story AND that story”. Soledad O’Brien, keynote speaker at the opening general session of the ICMA Conference in Kansas City, September 25, 2016

· Apologies to Patrick. His birthday was yesterday…September 29 ^th …and I didn’t recognize it in last week’s Friday Stuff. Hope you had a good birthday, Patrick. And, gosh, you don’t look 39.

· Macel, we’re going to miss you. In the short time you’ve been with us, you have taken our training program to an amazingly high level. Yes, your team carried the load but you steered the ship. The Naifeh Center will flourish under your leadership. Best of luck with your newest challenge!

· Yes, the vacancy created by Macel’s departure will be filled. A search will be launched as quickly as a few administrative things get squared away. My goal…have it filled by end of 2016.

· The MTAS Advisory Board will meet at Fall Creek Falls State Park next week on Thursday and Friday.

· Planning for the 2017 IPS Conference has begun. Probably will be in the Memphis area. Dates being looked at are August 2-4, August 23-25 and August 29-31. So, keep those dates open on your calendars until a certain one is chosen. Stand by for more information.

· Congratulations to Elisha and Frances. They’ll have service anniversaries in the coming week. Frances joined MTAS on October 1, 1999 and Elisha came onboard October 6, 2014. Both of you contribute significantly to the good in MTAS. Thank you!

· Lastly, remember a few things…
o What each of you do every day for our customers and each other is recognized and appreciated. Really! It is!
o “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” - Maya Angelou
o An amazing week in the golf world. Every sport has its legendary participants and golf’s greatest perhaps, Arnold Palmer, died last Sunday afternoon. The current golfing generation, and probably all of those to come, will know about him and what he gave to the game, not only at the professional level, but to hackers like me too. Golf is a great game because of folks like him. And this weekend, well it’s the Ryder Cup…America’s best golfers against those from Europe in team competition. It doesn’t get any better than this. I know each of you will be glued to the TV…just like me. Enjoy!

· A few days of fall weather so far this week and moving into a comfortable weekend. I hope yours is.

Jim Thomas, Executive Director
(O) 615. 532.4950 (C) 615.972.9219

jim.thomas@tennessee.edu

www.mtas.tennessee.edu