BE RECOGNIZED AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Serving you for the past 46 months has
truly been a humbling experience. It is
because many of you believed in my leadership the first time, back in 1993-1994,
that I came back to serve you again.
As I have often said, ACF has been my
love. It opened many doors that allowed
me to have a successful career, and offered
opportunities both professionally and
personally. During the 32 years that I
have been a member of this federation,
I have experienced the kinds of hurdles
we all have to face and deal with, and my
membership has been a source of support.
As a past ACF national president, I saw
the severe challenges that our federation
experienced. This is why I decided to run
for a second term. I wanted to do my best to
make a difference in our organization. Most
of us would wait and watch, or throw up
our hands, or give up and leave the federation
or, worse, talk negatively. I realize that all
organizations have such naysayers, but in the
end, it is up to all of us to make sure we do not
damage our federation and our profession.
I want to take this opportunity to thank
the many volunteers who have worked
passionately over the past 46 months and
will continue to work leading up to our
national convention in July: ACE trainers;
those who make accreditation site visits;
culinary judges; Team USA members and
support team; those who compete on the
chapter, regional and national levels or in
the international arena; chapter officers
and volunteers, especially chapter presi-
dents; those who serve on ACF/ACFEF
committees; and the thousands of volunteers
who make our regional conferences and
national convention unique. On behalf
of the board of directors and the staff at
the national office, we thank you for your
years of service.
I knew we had great employees in the
national office who needed those who
could provide them with direction and
give them a sense of purpose. We found
such a group who shared the valuable trait
of common sense and knew what was right
for all members. Those individuals made a
difference over the past four years. They
returned our federation to a profitable status,
established policies and procedures, made
changes in the bylaws to be in compliance
with New York State’s not-for-profit laws
and listened to what our members were
telling us.
But recently, I heard these words: the good
old boys. Now, these words have been
spoken before about the leadership of organizations that have a diverse membership. It
is impossible to please all of the people
all the time, and there are those who don’t
hesitate to express their opinions. I can
only say that we have tried, over the past
four years, to rid ourselves of this reputation.
No one is perfect, and certainly we are
not, but we need to support what is the
right thing to do for the entire organization
and not just for a few. If there are those
who still believe that a priviledged few
make all the decisions, I urge you to step
up and get involved and help us shed this
perception once and for all. Maybe the incoming leadership will take it to the next
level and be successful. There are better
ways to change your federation than dropping
your membership.
Douglas Medbury, center, associate dean culinary arts/director foodservice, Renton Technical College, Renton,
Wash., receives a Cutting Edge award from Michael Ty, right, at the ACF Washington State Chefs Association
meeting April 8 at the college. Mark Linden, CEC, AAC, chapter president, is at left.
We gave many of our members the opportunity to be involved with ACF during these
past four years. As the next administration
takes office, I will continue to serve, as
immediate past president. I look forward
to being involved as we closely examine
those we place on committees. I hope we
choose individuals who are not looking for
recognition, but really want to participate
in the committees’ roles and functions and
help our organization progress.
If you truly believe in all the great things
this administration has done, then choose
wisely when your ballots reach you starting
May 6. In my humble opinion, this administration served you well, and if we
did not, then you have the opportunity to
make changes. Be careful who you elect
and remember that we need leaders in our
leadership roles. Those individuals will
have the entire federation in mind, and are
not in it for personal gain. They will work
with the board of directors, the national
office staff and the members to bring our
federation to the forefront of our profession
for the benefit of all.
“Decisions that were made yesterday led to where we
are today. The decisions we make today will lead us
to where we will be tomorrow.”
—BIG VOICE COMMUNICATIONS
