Oh, the places you’ll go.

CSMFO Members,

Do you remember the book Oh, the places you’ll go. by Dr. Seuss? It’s often given to graduating high school seniors, to remind them of the limitless possibilities stretched before them. Had someone given me this book as I began my journey with CSMFO back in January 2009, that would have been wonderfully appropriate. In my nearly 13 years with CSMFO, I’ve gone to San Francisco and Los Angeles, San Diego and Monterey. I’ve gone to Oakland and Palm Springs, and Disneyland more times than I count. I sang karaoke in a room full of people who all knew my name. I’ve put bikes together for underprivileged kids, and made dinner with the CSMFO leadership. I’ve gotten henna tattoos and painted with watercolors and danced in the middle of Route 66. I’ve been to Club 33.

I began my tenure as the CSMFO Executive Director in January 2009. The organization was fairly small, at just over 1500 members and a conference of roughly 600 attendees. With the previous management team gone,  we had to start from scratch, rebuilding a lot of templates and processes. It was a chaotic beginning and I learned as I went, with the aid of some dedicated and patient volunteer leaders.

Fast forward 13 years. CSMFO now has nearly 2600 members and the conference in 2020 brought in 2000 attendees. There are more volunteer committees managing even more programs than I could have imagined back in 2009. We’ve added staff and increased the scope of the management contracts. CSMFO is a robust, thriving organization and I could not be more proud of what we’ve built.

However, I recognize that I’ve taken CSMFO as far as I’m going to, and it’s time for a change.

The next step in CSMFO’s evolution is to find an Executive Director who can lead the profession as well as the organization. Someone who can speak your language on ARPA, CalPERS, investment bonds, or ballot measures. Someone who will foster new relationships with other state organizations and strengthen ties between CSMFO and GFOA. Someone who understands the value of our premier educational programs while also recognizing the importance of our inclusive, helpful membership culture. Someone who can elevate CSMFO’s standing while maintaining our sense of community.

The recruitment piece for the new part-time Executive Director will be distributed soon, and I encourage you all to read it and consider whether you’d be a good fit. I am also available to discuss the position, if anyone has any questions or wants any first-hand accounts. I am confident the right individual exists within our current membership.

I’m not leaving right away. My contract extends through the end of this calendar year, and I plan to attend the upcoming 2022 Annual Conference. I’ll have a chance to address you all again before I leave but with the recruitment beginning soon, I wanted you to hear the news from me first.

The time I’ve spent with CSMFO has been invaluable to me. The memories I’ve made will stay with me forever. I’ve made friends through this organization that have become my chosen family, and I’ve made connections that will last a lifetime. I’m a better person for my time spent with CSMFO, and I can’t wait to see where you go next.

Oh, the places CSMFO will go.

Melissa