TOCA President Jared Bodnar

In my first official TOCA Talk column as president of the board, you may expect me to drone on about the strength of the organization and wax poetic about its future. You may also think I would talk about my vision for the association and outline the steps I’m going to take to ensure the continued success of TOCA. Well I’d hate to disappoint you, but that’s not going to be the case. You see, I want to listen more than I talk.

I affectionately refer to myself as a sponge—soaking up all the information as I possibly can and learning new things everyday. Using every interaction I have with someone to take away something valuable and educational. And that’s what I want to do with you, the TOCA members and sponsors.

We have obviously enjoyed a phenomenal first 20 years and I want to play a part in making the next 20 years even better (hence the title of this column). But I need your help.

If you haven’t yet taken the TOCA member survey that was e-mailed out a few weeks ago, please click here and take it. I would also invite you to e-mail me and let me know what you think about TOCA and its future. What would you like to see change about TOCA? What do you insist must stay absolutely the same? What can I do to make sure you attend next year’s annual meeting in Tucson, Arizona?

Where is all this going you ask? We’re going to be assembling several committees chaired and made up of TOCA members, who will be responsible for writing and executing a new strategic plan for TOCA. These committees will address issues such as memberships, sponsorships, communications/branding and professional development. If you’re interested in any of these committees, please let me know and we’ll make sure you’re involved.

By listening to you, the TOCA members and sponsors, we will be better equipped as an organization to make sure TOCA remains a valuable and viable organization. So, please allow your voice to be heard. I’ll be listening.