I urge all of you to reflect on this past year and savor the special moments and relationships you hold most dear. Make sure those individuals (particularly those who don’t regularly get recognition), know how grateful you are for their service and commitment to our field.

LOOKING AHEAD
Many challenges lie ahead in 2019 inc­luding a major change in Medicare payment, changing consumer demands, workforce shortages, regulatory issues – you know the list. But we also know that we can deal with these challenges better together than we can individually. I encourage you to continue taking advantage of the resources, comradery, and support our association provides. We’ve got some outstanding programs already on the calendar including the Leadership Conference in February, our 60th Annual Conference in May, and an array of webinars coming up almost every month. Plus, network meetings around the state will kick off in March.

MANY THANKS 
To the LeadingAge Texas and EIA Board members, my staff and I thank you for your dedication in making sure that member needs are addressed through our programs and educational offerings. To the many members who serve on committees, task forces, peer groups, are involved in advocacy and involved in other ways, we are grateful for your involvement.

To all the other members, our sincere appreciation for your support of LeadingAge Texas and the pride you hold for the work you do in your communities.

Lastly, I would like to thank the LeadingAge Texas staff who continue to do a remarkable job in making those programs, products and services come to life and helping you deal with the many issues you face daily.

WISHING YOU THE BEST
On behalf of our board, our volunteers, and our staff we hope this holiday season is an exceptionally good and safe one and that the New Year brings you much health, happiness, and prosperity.

Sincerely,

George Linial, CAE, CASP
President & CEO, LeadingAge Texas

A well-functioning board does not happen by chance – it takes hard work, patience, education, and resources to create and sustain. Boards and CEOs need to form a partnership based on common values and trust. Roles and responsibilities need to be spelled out so that boards spend their time and energy on strategic concepts and not on specific operations and micromanaging.

The primary responsibility of a board is the selection and support of the chief executive. Another responsibility is looking internally at the board itself. Do you have the right mix of individuals around the table? There has been a lot of churn happening (and continuing to happen) in our field. Many CEOs are retiring or close to retiring. It is getting more difficult to recruit new volunteer board members. It is clearer now more that ever that focusing on succession planning is an imperative.

When we think of succession planning, often we limit the scope to the CEO position. We must broaden our thinking. As we learn in the book Governance as Leadership, boards operating in all three modes of governance – fiduciary, strategic and generative – have a leadership role within an organization. Leveraging their talents to offer insight and wisdom in a way that furthers the organization’s mission is key.

Therefore, when thinking about succession planning, consider positions beyond the CEO. Focus on developing bench strength and understanding the talents needed at the board table as well. Exceptional organizations give time and energy to create a comprehensive plan for staff leadership development, emergency transitions, and planned turnover.

We are sharing articles, tools and templates to support your organization’s leadership transition planning.

STARTING THE CONVERSATION

• Managing Leadership Succession – By Jack Curtis for LeadingAge Magazine
• Why Providers Must Have Succession Plans – By Deborah Wood, R.N. for LeadingAge Magazine
• Senior Living Executives: Trends in Succession Planning and Incentives - by CliftonLarsonAllen
• Leadership Lessons from the Battle of Gettysburg - by John Franklin, BB&T Capital Markets
• The Board's Role in Preparing for and Ensuring Successful CEO Transition - from Goodwin House
• Succession Planning: The Elephant in the Room – By Hildy Gottlieb for Help 4 Nonprofits
• How to Succeed at Succession Planning - By Lois A. Bowers for McKnight's Senior Living
• The Power of Board Succession Planning – By Sonia J. Stamm for Board Effect
• Succession Planning for the Nonprofit Board Chair – from Social Venture Partners Boulder County
• Succession Planning For God’s Gift by the Nonprofit Whisperer

TOOLS & TEMPLATES

• Succession Planning: Establishing a Long-Term Talent Strategy in Senior Living - By LCS
• Succession Planning and Practice: An Essential Component of Success - By Walker Healthcare CPAs
• Leadership Contingency Plan for the President & CEO - From Westminster Canterbury of the Blue Ridge
• Workforce Planning Tool - From Goodwin House
• CEO Succession Plan - From a LeadingAge member
• A Strategic Approach to Leadership Transitions - By Patrick Sanaghan, Nancy Aronson and Jane Mack, Friends Services for the Aging
• Board Leader Succession Planning Toolkit – From the Society for Human Resources Management
• And don’t forget to join the LeadingAge Governance List Serv
  

Remember that good governance does not happen by chance. We hope these resources will help guide your respective boards!

George Linial, CAE, CASP
President & CEO, LeadingAge Texas

MANY THANKS
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the staff at LeadingAge Texas for the tremendous effort they put in day in and day out to ensure that our members are well taken care of. Many of the demands placed on our staff go unseen, but their work is greatly appreciated.

To the LeadingAge Texas and EIA Board members, my staff and I thank you for your dedication to the success of our association and for your tremendous input to the proper governance of our organization. I also wish to acknowledge the participation of those who serve on our committees and peer groups, those involved in advocacy efforts, and all other involved members. Your commitment and endless hours of volunteer time to make sure members are provided with opportunities to continue learning, to network and socialize with other aging services and housing professionals is most appreciated.

Lastly, to all the members, my sincere appreciation for your support of LeadingAge Texas and the pride you hold for the work you do in your communities. It is truly an honor for me and all of the staff to serve you.

WISHING YOU THE BEST
On behalf of our board, our volunteers, and our staff we hope this holiday season is an exceptionally good and safe one and that the New Year brings you much health, happiness, and prosperity.

George Linial, CAE, CASP
President & CEO, LeadingAge Texas

The LeadingAge Staff and I have reached out our members in the affected region and, after being in touch with the majority of them, we are happy to report that most communities are intact, though many have water damage. The best news is that there was no loss of life among the thousands of senior Texans served by our members.

The sheer dedication of staff, many of whom stayed with residents for four to five days straight, is noteworthy. At some communities, because they had no way in or out, staff pulled multiple shifts, slept in shifts, and did “whatever it took” to carry on and “make things work.” It is remarkable how seemingly everyone simply pitched in wherever and whenever they were needed – it turns out that the executive director of one member community missed our call because he was pitching in with washing dishes. We will undoubtedly have countless stories to tell about many of our remarkable members who did “whatever it took” to make it through the worst of Harvey and its aftermath.

With all the uplifting stories we have heard from members, they have also shared stories of tragedy - many staff, the selfless individuals who serve our seniors, are suffering from their homes being seriously damaged, and even some have no livable dwelling place to which they can return. Yet, in the midst of receiving that news and living in the space of the unknown, those staff continued to wholeheartedly serve their residents.

SO, HOW CAN YOU HELP? It’s simple – DONATE. LeadingAge, our national partner, has set up a Hurricane Harvey Disaster Fund to aid those affected. LeadingAge members, both communities and business members, have been reaching out nonstop to inquire about helping. Donations have been rolling in and a mechanism for distributing the funds is being developed. A significant portion of these donated funds will go toward helping staff rebuild and recover from Harvey’s destruction.

What stands out through all our communications with members is that their first response to us is that their residents are safe and comfortable. They have all been remarkably positive about their situations, yet concerned about the welfare of their staff. All this positive spirit while their own homes, families, and other loved ones have been affected.

In times like these, we can clearly see the true dedication and “calling” that drove our members to the field of not-for-profit aging services. If ever there was a mass example of “servant leadership” at its finest, this would be the prime case!

AFFECTED COMMUNITIES - visit www.leadingagetexas.org/harvey and fill out our quick survey to let us know about your needs & how Harvey has affected your community, residents & staffl. With specific needs, contact us at (512) 467-2242.

George Linial, CAE, CASP
President & CEO, LeadingAge Texas

LeadingAge Texas' Director of Public Policy, Alyse Meyer, and our lobbyist David Thomason are regularly at the Capitol meeting with staff and legislators informing and educating them about the importance of our issues. But nothing compares to the impact of legislators and staff meeting constituents and other Texans - those who can share genuine stories about how governmental funding and policies affect the way they can house and care for the seniors in their communities. I noted that several members who were at the Capitol were able to schedule with legislators and/or staff to come and see their communities. Legislators may forget a meeting at the Capital, but the memory of seeing your community will stick with them.

It was a crazy day at the Capital with many groups there, hearings going on and the governor giving an address to the state. Some LeadingAge Texas members were even able to sit in the gallery and see the “State of the State” address by Governor Abbott.
 
I want to thank all those who were able to make the trip and dedicate their time to Austin this week. While we had a very successful Capitol Day, I must remind you that advocacy is not a one time shot. We will be calling on many of you to help us contact legislative offices over the next few months. Stay alert and engaged – you make a big difference!

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In addition, I provided testimony on behalf of the membership to the Texas Senate Committee on Finance Article II - Health & Human Services - click here to read.

During this season of reflection, join me in looking back on our organization’s year - one marked by our continuing commitment to serve our membership in advocacy, education, networking, resources, group purchasing, and more.

ADVOCACY
A major focus throughout the year has been rethinking how we pay for long-term care services and supports in the future. We’ve been examining the economic, social, and environmental issues that are changing senior living, examining the ramifications for our field, and how to prepare for change. We have held three “conversations” with stakeholders who understand that something must be done to improve long-term care financing and recognize that our present system is unsustainable.

Thanks to each of you & your involvement & input, LeadingAge Texas is a trusted and respected force at the Capitol and around the state. With your help, we ensure that as our organization grows, it remains the voice for quality aging services.

EDUCATION & NETWORKING
Our Annual Meeting in Dallas brought over 400 of you together to share stories, renew friendships, and gain valuable connections with your peers around the state, all while learning from experts on a variety of subjects. Keep in mind that our annual Leadership Conference (February 15-17) is a great opportunity to continue connecting with your fellow aging services colleagues.

Speaking of leadership, our Leadership Institute is going to graduate its eighth class in May! When applications for the ninth class open in February, I urge you to nominate both upcoming and seasoned leaders in your organization.

VALUE FIRST
LeadingAge Texas continues to lead the nation in group purchasing. If you have purchasing needs in food, medical supplies, office supplies, construction, or any other spending, we can help you save - simply contact Kevin Simpson!

AT THE CORE…YOU, OUR MEMBERS
But enough about us. The real heroes are all of you who provide care and housing for thousands of senior Texans. The impact that you have on the lives of your residents and their families cannot be calculated. I am so proud of the fact that we continue the vision of our founders—the care of the elderly and disabled is an important responsibility that we all share—a philosophy that is engendered throughout your communities.

There is no doubt that maintaining quality care and housing services is hard work & requires a true commitment. We see that. We see that in you. We salute you & truly appreciate all you do for others.

LOOKING AHEAD...
As much as we reflect during this holiday season, we also look ahead to the new year with anticipation & excitement about new possibilities. With that in mind, please consider furthering your commitment to this thriving association by participating in…

• Advocacy, especially with the 85th Legislative Session on the horizon
• Peer Groups & Committees
• Educational Programs & Networking Events
  • HIGHLIGHT: It’s no secret that regulations continue to impede the ability to really focus on bigger issues - the new CMS Mega Rule is creating angst. We urge you to participate in a series of webinars meant to keep you informed of the latest requirements.
• Awards Program nominations (extended deadline: January 3)
• ArtsInspire™ entries (upcoming deadline: January 13)

Well, you get the picture...your support & involvement can help turn big ideas and bold visions into reality. So, join us as we tackle 2017 with a Power of Purpose!

Best wishes for a healthy, prosperous new year!

EdenHill Communities, where Fischer served as the organization's first professional administrator (1961-1968) and and where he spent the last years of his life, had a ceremony where they unveiled a plaque (pictured left) in his honor during their Altenheim Day Celebration (for those who are unfamiliar, Altenheim is the German word for "Elder’s Home" & served as the original name of EdenHill at its conception in 1910).

Residents, staff, and other community members dressed up in 1910 garb and recreated a wagon train procession where farm goods were brought to the EdenHill Chapel (pictured below). Part of the ceremony at the chapel was a salute and thanks to Chaplains, Church affiliations, Administrators/CEOs, Volunteers, Board members, and Donors.

The final salute was given to Elmo Fischer for his contributions to EdenHill and his advancement of senior care in Texas and nationally. In the midst of the community of EdenHill & Elmo Fischer's family who drove in from Houston, I was privileged & honored to say a few words about his legacy at LeadingAge Texas.

While serving as the first full-time executive director of Texas Association of Homes for the Aging (former name of our association) from 1969 through 1973, Fischer established many of the programs and philosophies that still remain as pillars of our association. He established our advocacy program - a primary function of our enterprise; broke the state into regions so that members could meet with their peers in their areas to share stories and best practices (before we actually called it that!); saw the need to protect not-for-profit status in the state and nationally; preached about the need for quality and sufficient regulation in a field where those concepts had not existed; was instrumental in establishing university level training for the field; and he advocated strongly for adequate funding for aging services – something we continue to fight for over 40 years later!

I urge you to read his memoir - a fascinating journey of a man who remained true to his principles and became a foundational figure in our field.

I have an old photograph of Fischer which hangs outside my office - a reminder to thank those who paved a path. I think this is particularly the case in not-for-profits where our organizations outlive most of us (EdenHill has been around since 1910 and it is not our member with the most longevity!).

George Linial, CAE, CASP
President & CEO, LeadingAge Texas

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Photos: 1) photo of a replica of the plaque to honor Elmo Fischer; 2) forefront: Paul Neilson, Chairman of EdenHill's Board of Directors, Janice Howland carrying the pot of potatoes & Don Howland; background (on wagon) members of the honorary Wagon Welcome Committee.

- Ronald Reagan
(60 Minutes interview with Mike Wallace, 1975)

When you take stock of your organization, I am sure you can easily identify leaders among your staff and volunteers who are doing significant things that make your community thrive. This year, I encourage you to work alongside LeadingAge Texas in recognizing and building up your organization’s leaders (existing and rising).

2016 Awards Program
Extended Nomination Deadline: January 19

 Our Awards Program gives you an opportunity to acknowledge your staff and volunteers for the outstanding jobs they do in making your community stand out among others in your area. This year, we have broadened our categories allowing you the opportunity to nominate virtually any one of your staff that deserves some appreciation. Not only is this appreciation nice for the recipient, but also it may motivate others to do some exceptional things. I know I always come away from our awards luncheon more inspired by the marvelous accomplishments of members’ staff and volunteers. The deadline is coming up, so don’t delay in getting in your nominations!

2016 Leadership Conference
February 15-17 | Horseshoe Bay
DARING TO DRIVE FORWARD: An Executive Team Road Trip

Next month, we are stepping out of our familiar rustic setting in New Braunfels to kick back at a picturesque lakeside retreat in Horseshoe Bay for our annual Leadership Conference. With renowned speaker, Bill Zipp, as this year’s conference facilitator and with engaging sessions in a peer-centered environment, this all-inclusive, three-day leadership retreat will help make sure you and your entire team are Daring to Drive Forward and set to arrive at your organization’s optimal destination.

Join us as we navigate through practical topics—like the Habits of Effective Executive Teams and When Talk Gets Tough—to program your leadership team’s GPS in a purposeful direction.

Register by January 22 to secure your space and your discounted registration rate!

2016-17 Leadership Institute
Accepting Applications in Mid-February

The 2016-17 Leadership Institute will open for applications in mid-February. This leadership program is a proven success and has trained scores of outstanding present and future leaders in our field. You know there are people in your staff who are looking for opportunities to improve their knowledge and advance their career. What better place to look for the future leadership of aging services than within your staff? Experience has shown us that virtually every person who has graduated from the Leadership Institute has been promoted at least once and many have moved to executive leadership positions within their organizations.

The application process will open soon, as the next installment of the program will begin in June. So, stay tuned to your inbox and www.leadingagetexas.org for more information on the upcoming LeadingAge Texas Leadership Institute. I urge you to encourage at least one individual from your organization to apply for this program.

Along with the abovementioned Ronald Reagan quote fresh in your mind, I’d like to draw your attention to another quote from famed business writer Orrin Woodward: “Average leaders raise the bar on themselves; good leaders raise the bar for others; great leaders inspire others to raise their own bar."

So, whether it is by acknowledging great staff and volunteers, or by involving staff in leadership training, LeadingAge Texas wants to walk with you in inspiring others to raise their expectations about their own leadership, service, and commitment to Senior Texans.

Happy New Year and Best Wishes to All,

George Linial, CAE, CASP
President & CEO, LeadingAge Texas

Similarly, across the country, nearly half of all nurses are over 50* and shockingly, 64 percent of nurses over 54 plan to retire within the next three years.

So, in addition to taking the lead on the usual policy discussions, our communities must act to address the growing staff shortage issue:

• Provide career paths**, not just job opportunities.
• Pay competitively – tough in many cases because of budget restrictions, but continue to be creative.
• Remember that culture change does make a difference among staff and residents. Having staff take greater ownership of their jobs encourages loyalty and quality care.
• Train, re-train, and train again. It is particularly important to train managers and supervisors to lead well**. The most common reason for high attrition is supervisory mismanagement.
• Last, but certainly not least, staff should feel appreciated. They are the face of your organization and their feeling valued will enhance your community’s culture.

So during this holiday season, the time of year when giving thanks and appreciation is routinely done in numerous ways, be sure to show your staff how much they are valued** by you and your community.

On behalf of the LeadingAge Texas staff (highly valued!), we wish you a happy and healthy holiday season and a joyous New Year!

George Linial, CAE, CASP
President & CEO, LeadingAge Texas

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*according to AMN Healthcare and its Center for the Advancement of Healthcare Professionals
**hyperlinks to LeadingAge Texas programs:
     - Career Center
     - Leadership Institute
     - Awards Program - Nomination period for 2016 opening soon!

Now, I’d like you to consider at least some of the benefits of participating as you try to prioritize where to spend your time:

• Participating can improve your leadership skills – either through observing others or by being in a leadership position yourself, you can generally improve your skills as a leader – and those skills can be transferable to many aspects of your life, both personally and professionally. I have witnessed many people grow their leadership skills through volunteerism.
• Participating gives you an opportunity to learn things. The more groups you are in, the more information you are exposed to and can learn from. Thinking particularly about peer networks, you can often find solutions to issues you have been struggling with.
• Participating can improve your networks. The more groups you are exposed to, the greater your chance of finding others who share your passion (no matter what that is). Through these networks, you can sustain and increase your own passion(s).
• Participating can give you access to important information. Many surveys (like the current Compensation Survey) give you free results or results at a reduced fee because of your participation. Those results can let you know how you or your organization is doing in relation to your peers.
• Participating helps others. In the not-for-profit world, we rely heavily on volunteerism for our respective missions. Think about the millions of people helped by not-for-profit organizations who would basically cease to exist were it not for people participating in their cause.
• Participating gives you a different perspective. Through my rotary club, I deliver Meals on Wheels once a month. While it only takes an hour a month, it gives me a better perspective of the struggles that aging services and housing organizations, and particularly their residents, face. It provides motivation for the work we do as an association.
• Participating can ultimately improve your success. Isolation gets you nowhere. Think about anyone who is successful – if they did it without help from others and participating in groups, they are a rare breed.

Of course, these thoughts preface our need as an association for members to participate. Our peer groups, committees, and task forces are in continual need of more members to join and be active participants. Our new association management system even gives peers a great opportunity to interact online.

Outside of peer-based groups, we also occasionally have surveys (like the current Compensation Survey) that require member participation in order to give you and others access to valuable information.

So, before you dismiss an invitation to participate, think about how it will positively affect you and your organization. While these voluntary activities may take time away from your day-to-day work activities (albeit a relatively small amount of time), ultimately your involvement in LeadingAge Texas will help you in your efforts of assisting those your organization works to serve.

Wishing you much success!
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George Linial, CAE, CASP
President & CEO, LeadingAge Texas

I hope many of these students, and other dedicated and inquisitive individuals like them, decide to work in our field. But their journey won’t stop there. Once they start working, these individuals will need guidance and nurturing along the way. We don’t develop leaders by accident – we have to be intentional. Providing educational opportunities, mentoring, stretching people’s comfort zones, giving staff a wide array of experiences, cross-training, in-service workshops, staff retreats, and setting high expectations are just some of the ways you are building your staff acumen.

LeadingAge Texas is currently offering opportunities for you to cultivate the potential of your community’s best and brightest:

• Leadership Institute: This program provides your rising stars and veteran staff with a tremendous opportunity for leadership development and professional growth. Ask any of the LeadingAge Alumni from the first six classes and they can tell you how it has improved their leadership skills, enlightened their perspective on the field, broadened their professional network, and sharpened their management skills. Everyone who has graduated from the program has enhanced their leadership abilites.
• Scholarships: Urge your staff to apply for a scholarship to attend the upcoming Annual Meeting & Trade Show! These scholarships are meant for individuals who ordinarily wouldn’t come to the conference or are first time attendees. Next month’s conference offers boundless opportunities for attendees to experience education, networking, and discovering new possibilities - be sure your staff doesn’t miss out!

Don’t miss out on these opportunities to nurture your staff!

Thank you for dedicating your career to aging services. Tell us how you’re celebrating Careers in Aging Week on our Facebook page!
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George Linial, CAE, CASP
President & CEO, LeadingAge Texas

I was also pleased that we had almost 30 nursing students attend our Public Policy Workshop on Sunday. In a field that so desperately needs qualified and dedicated people to serve, exposing students to the issues surrounding the field was a valuable teaching moment.

Chris Traylor, Deputy Commissioner of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, told the group that developing relationships with legislative offices is critical now and sets the stage for future legislative sessions. Nearly 40 percent of legislators are in their first or second term - an astounding number of people who are not well educated on the issues facing senior living and long-term care. Most do not know how much our field relies on government for funding and regulation.

We can only achieve our goals if we stick together and come forward as one group – linked with a common vision of improving care and housing for elder Texans.

So I join the rest of the membership in applauding those who took time out of their busy schedules to come down to the Capitol, meet with legislators and their staff, and tell their story in order to humanize the policies that will be discussed in the coming weeks.

This, like all legislative sessions, will be challenging. Please refer to our legislative agenda to see all the things for which we are advocating. I urge all of you to become involved particularly, over the next few months:

• Act:
  - Become a Key Contact - Act as a legislative advocate in your community.
• Follow:
  - @Advocate4Aging - Alyse Meyer, Director of Public Policy
  - @84thLegislature - The 84th Legislature
  - #txlege
  - #BeTheVoice4Aging - Alyse Meyer will use this hashtag throughout this session
  
• Read:
  - LeadingAge Texas' 2015 Legislative Agenda - Learn about your association's legislative priorities
• Subscribe:
  - Legislative Updates Blog - Alyse's blog will be updated throughout the session

Your colleagues will be grateful for your volunteerism!
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George Linial, CAE, CASP
President & CEO, LeadingAge Texas

Volunteerism provides great opportunities for professional growth. Whether you connect with your church, a local service organization, your professional association or another group, volunteerism gives you a chance to practice your leadership skills and other management skills, all while contributing to your community or association.

Staff Development

We are in a field that relies heavily on staff, and if staff is our most necessary resource, then investing in staff makes good business sense! Most organizations spend less than 1% of their budget on staff education. Numerous organizations, including LeadingAge Texas, offer a variety of professional development opportunities along with scholarship options for those who have tight budgets.

Network

Plan to network more with your colleagues in Texas and nationally. As you know, most ideas for improving your organization and your work don’t just come spontaneously – they are a result of exchanges between you and your fellow professionals. Be on the lookout for more information about our upcoming spring network meetings and our annual conference, both great options to meet with your peers.

Collaborate

Look for opportunities to collaborate. This is a new age and partnering with others often leads to market advantage and cost savings.

Benchmark

Participate in surveys. Increasingly, aging services organizations are becoming more data-driven. Filling out surveys, while tedious, can give you great benchmarking data to improve your operations. This data is going to be used in the future for payment enhancements, so get used to benchmarking – it is here to stay!

Advocate

Increase your advocacy efforts. Advocacy matters much in our field - we are heavily regulated and rely on government for much of our funding. There are dramatic changes taking place in the aging services field and only by advocating for policies that are beneficial to us and our consumers, can we expect better results. Contact Alyse Meyer, our Director of Public Policy, for more information about how you can become involved in our advocacy efforts, including becoming a Key Contact for your community.

Register today for our upcoming Public Policy Workshop & Capitol Day on January 25-26!

Staff Recognition

Value your staff. We all know that an excellent staff makes all the difference in our field. So if staff is one of your organization’s greatest assets, then act accordingly.
Spend time and resources to develop their skills, acknowledge their talents through awards (plan to nominate them for the 2016 LeadingAge Texas Award Program) and
other recognitions. Most of all, simply find ways to show appreciation for the work they do.

Lead

Take steps to be a better leader. One of the best ways to develop leadership skills is
to volunteer (see #1) for leadership positions (your association provides great opportunities for that.) Chairing a committee or being a project lead gives you valuable leadership experience that will translate into other aspects of your career. Needless to say, being well-informed on the issues affecting your organization is necessary to lead in today’s times.

Register today for our upcoming annual Leadership Conference: "Energizing your Personal and Professional Presence” in February!

Be Informed

As has been stated often, we are in an age of dramatic and rapid change. We need to stay on top of issues and trends if we want to survive, let alone thrive in the future. Read the newsletter, attend educational programs, attend networking meetings, and call your colleagues to discuss how they are dealing with change.

Be Healthy

Maintaining your health and the health of your staff is important so you can be effective in your work. Find ways to get grounded and stay balanced with vacation, quiet time, outside interests, exercise, and a healthy diet.

This list is by no means complete. Help me add to it by leaving a comment below - I would be very interested in hearing some of your professional resolutions for 2015.

Wishing you a prosperous and healthy 2015!!
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George Linial, CAE, CASP
President & CEO, LeadingAge Texas

As I travel and see many of you, I am always impressed by the level of dedication that permeates throughout our member communities. With a lot of change happening in the field in terms of government regulation and payment structures, customer and employee expectations, and overall pace of change in our country and world, it is clear that what separates you from many others is that you are in it for the long haul.

Not only have many of you dedicated a good portion of your lives to the field of aging services, but your organizations have been steadfast in their missions for several decades (if not longer!). Steadfast doesn’t mean staid however, as organizations constantly need to reinvent and reinvigorate themselves. I see many LeadingAge Texas communities doing just that – not only through bricks and mortar, but through continuous improvements in quality, customer service, governance, and training.

It is gratifying to see that the association is strong and is helping members deal with the multiple challenges you face each and every day. Our advocacy program has made great strides in the interim, meeting with numerous legislators and staff all while working on the statewide transition to managed care. We are getting primed for the upcoming legislative session armed with issues and solutions for our members.

Value First continues to provide cost savings to our members through group purchasing. More products and services were added this year and Texas leads the country in sales volume.

Education programs remain strong. Our Leadership Institute is currently on its sixth class and is making a difference in training current and future leaders in our field. The Annual Meeting and Trade Show was very successful this year with a sold out exhibit hall and an increase in member attendance. Our leadership conference held annually in February also drew large crowds and great reviews.

The Awards program continues to recognize great volunteers, staff, and programs throughout the state while our art show drew record participants and showed that art has no age boundaries. 

Network meetings provide a great opportunity to socialize and learn from colleagues in your geographic region and peer groups do the same for your given specialties. 

As you make your resolutions for the New Year, I hope that you staying connected with LeadingAge Texas and your fellow members. If your schedule doesn't allow you to attend a Network meeting in your area, please consider joining us in January for Capitol Day, in February for our annual Leadership Conference, and of course in May, at our 56^th Annual Meeting & Trade Show in Austin. There are numerous other education programs, committee meetings, peer groups, and more that give you the opportunity to connect with your fellow members, learn, and improve your organizations. 

At LeadingAge Texas, we are dedicated to helping you succeed in your mission every day of the year. It is during the Holidays especially, that we are grateful for the opportunity to serve our diverse membership across Texas.

It is our privilege to serve you as a member of LeadingAge Texas. On behalf of our board and members, we hope that you have a wonderful Holiday Season!
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George Linial, CAE, CASP
President & CEO, LeadingAge Texas

We are using a much more robust and internet based software system that utilizes social media and other tools to make your interactions with us more vibrant and productive. Of course, as most of you know when undergoing a major software upgrade or change – patience is the word that comes to mind.

We ask that you please utilize our new system, register online, update your membership information, look at the new features, explore other ways to use the software, and be patient as we move to the next level of customer satisfaction.

Of course, staff will be available to answer questions along the way and you may be receiving some calls to prompt you to register and update your information all for good reason – we use this information to update our membership directory!

We trust you will find the system customer friendly and much more useful as we move to the next generation of association software. Thank you for your patience!
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George Linial, CAE, CASP
President & CEO, LeadingAge Texas