Change We Can Believe In!
By Tom Barnett

Change we can believe in.  Words that were spoken so many times during the presidential campaign.   A promise yet to be seen as we embark on the changes that are before us during the coming year.

A new President and a new HUD Secretary are certainly going to change the way things have been done in the past.  Most of us by nature have a tendency to resist change.  If you thought that things would stay the same as they have been in the past, you probably need to rethink that theory.  I believe that you need to hold onto your hats, and get ready for the changes! 

Most of us are hoping for greater support for housing programs than we have seen under the out-going administration, but we have probably never faced a situation where finances in Washington are as tight as they are, and are going to be.  The practice of printing money to pay for services and debt is like writing checks without money in the bank.   The concept is very short-fused and will not last very long.

A change we need from NAHRO members is a greater involvement in legislative and policy issues.  Without a great deal of involvement from our members, the changes that will come out of Washington will not necessarily be good ones.   Leaving the battles for others to fight is like leaving your doors open for others to come in and steal.  Discretionary funding will be very tight, and we will have to fight for funding because there is very little to go around.  Others out there are hungry and they are likely to be fed first if we do not speak up concerning our needs.

I remember the days when we could depend upon bi-partisan support in congress for our programs.  Can you?  Those days are gone!  For too many years already we have seen decreased support for our programs.  With the increases in expenses that we are all seeing, we cannot expect for programs to continue without increases in support.

All of us are looking for good leadership from our nation’s capitol.  This past year has shown us anything but good leadership as we have seen our stock markets finish the worst year in over seventy (70) years, only to be exceeded by the Great Depression in 1931.   With greed at the helm, we certainly need change.

What lies before us is far more important than what lies behind us.  I am looking forward to good changes as we begin a new year.  It is time for all of us to put on a new attitude of cooperation as we move into the future.  Attitudes that will support positive changes.  Positive changes that will only happen with support from those with  knowledge.   (That’s YOU!)  I urge you to get involved and make a difference in the lives of others this year.  Will you be the change we can believe in?

NAHRO Says Goodbye to Beth Cooper

One of our team members, Beth Cooper, has accepted the opportunity to serve our industry and the public at large in the U. S. Senate.  Beth will be joining the staff of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs.
Since 2002, Beth's tenure at NAHRO has been one marked with professionalism, integrity and camaraderie, in one word stellar.  We will miss her daily contributions to our organization. Although she will be sorely missed, she will not be far from the NAHRO family. We are confident she will continue to positively impact the lives of those that are helped by the programs she will oversee.
There is time to say goodbye as her departure will not be effective until mid-January. We wish Beth all the best and Godspeed in her new role. We look forward to working with her as she assumes her new responsibilities on the Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee.

CAMPAIGN FOR NATIONAL OFFICES—PRESIDENT & SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT

Two announced candidates to date: Nola Popoola for president and Betsey Martens for senior vice president. It would be helpful for regions and chapters to invite candidates to their meetings, which is a good way to personalize their candidacy.
Presidents were encouraged to convey this message from the Nominating and Election Committee (N&E): voters should take NAHRO elections seriously, get to know candidates read their campaign literature, messages to the membership and responses to monthly questions from the N&E (beginning in May); agencies should encourage their associates to
exercise their right to vote in order to continue with the quality of leadership that is the NAHRO tradition.
Presidents were invited to submit questions they’d like candidates to answer to N&E Chair Larry Loyd, Email: laloyd@hcaac.org. These questions will be shared with the N&E as it considers monthly questions for May-August 2009.