Community Corner

My wife Lori is a clinical exercise physiologist in the cardiac rehab unit of a local hospital.  Each day she comes home with inspiring stories of people who have rededicated and redirected their lives to become stronger and healthier.  Lori says “the secret to speedy recovery after a heart attack is to welcome change into your life.  You must be willing to change the way you live, eat, sleep and play.”

Unfortunately, something catastrophic needs to happen before some of us welcome change.  At that point, options are limited and the decisions we make during crisis episodes are oftentimes not well-thought out.  Accordingly, we are far better off having regular check ups and regularly making more subtle changes in our lives.

Organizations are similar to human beings in that change is generally difficult unless it is imposed out of necessity or emergency.  I have been impressed by SAAR members and volunteers who say they are ready to tackle new challenges as SAAR looks to the future.

SAAR is pumping iron, running laps, stretching and even doing a little yoga.  Many of you are aware that we are 7,500 members strong.  We have developed a pretty fit body over the last few years, but now it is time to add definition, strength and stamina.

Your SAAR Committees are hard at work bringing new ideas and approaches to offering member benefits, strengthening our identity and brand and making a more powerful organization.  Our volunteers are ramping up work plans and bringing new energy to ideas that will significantly improve professional development and spark increased volunteerism.  Our YPN Group is hard-wired to new technologies that will help us become more profitable, more connected and more efficient.  We are also expanding our reach on legislative issues strengthening our local influence and teaming up with our regional, state and national associations to put some power behind our punches on issues that impact our industry and profession.

These are indeed exciting times for all of us at SAAR.  Get off the couch, get your spandex and head bands on (ooopps that was the 70’s) and get involved.  SAAR needs you and your ideas.  Give us a call.  Let’s talk about how you can help SAAR be even more healthy, strong and vital.  NOW GET DOWN AND GIVE ME TWENTY!!!!!!

John C Little