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A Memorable Convention Is Planned for You

A Memorable Convention Is Planned for You
By Ivan D. Butts
NAPS National President

Hello, my NAPS brothers and sisters. We are approximately one month away from our 68th National Convention. While I am excited at being able to come together to continue the good work for our association and all EAS employees, I must admit I also am anxious.

Anxious at presiding over my first NAPS national convention as your president? No. I’m not concerned about being fully accountable and standing in front of our great delegates; this I always have welcomed. I believe serving in any leadership role demands you be accountable and wholly and solely dedicated to the people you serve.

Anxious at coordinating the details to ensure we have a convention agenda that runs as smoothly as possible? No, after coordinating six Eastern Region Cabinet Meetings and seven Legislative Training Seminars, with one being our first-ever virtual LTS, I feel pretty comfortable at coordinating the various, fast-moving parts of event-scheduling for the members of our great association.

Am I anxious over every little detail being addressed so you have the greatest experience with your NAPS family in New Orleans in August? You bet I am! But that goes with every event I have had the pleasure to work on in support of our NAPS members.

I always have been humbly honored to serve the members of NAPS with all my mind, heart and soul. I want to give the best we have to offer you because this is what you deserve.

Although anxious, I have the greatest support in getting prepared for our convention. Our convention planner is working hard to ensure the necessary resources needed to support the temporary relocation of NAPS Headquarters from Alexandria, VA, to New Orleans are available and in place. My fellow resident officers are working individually, as well as with me, in this planning process and helping ensure we are dotting every “i” and crossing every “t.” And our office staff is gearing up to introduce new processes to make the convention experience even more engaging.

One of the more pleasant thoughts I have had is realizing I will be presiding over our 68th National Convention the same time my wife Laurie, National Auxiliary president, is presiding over the 43rd NAPS National Auxiliary Convention. This may be a first in the history of our great associations. I am forever grateful for the work being done on behalf of NAPS by our Auxiliary.

Last, but most certainly not least, is our host branch. This group has been 100% dialed in to making this experience one to remember. I cannot thank Tomica Duplessis enough for the great work she and her team are doing in preparing for our arrival in New Orleans. Louisiana also is home to our great friend and former NAPS President Louis Atkins.

So, grab your second line parasol and I’ll grab mine and meet you in New Orleans!