President's message.

• Author: Macklem, Paul A.
• Position: Government Finance Officers Association president Paul A. Macklem

It is an overwhelming, humbling, and incredible honor to serve as your 103rd President. The Government Finance Officers Association has been blessed over the past 102 years with leaders whose vision and commitment to this membership created a foundation that makes the challenges of the most difficult recession in the past 80 years manageable. We have a vast array of tools to assist us, from best practices in financial policies to a variety of targeted and cost-effective training programs to conferences and networking opportunities.

Now we, collectively, have a responsibility to continue this tradition so that 100 years from now, our GFOA president of the day can be confident in saying that the finance officers of this era held fast to the vision and commitment to this great association and our state, provincial, and local governments have benefited well as a result.

It's been a privilege to be a part of something extraordinary in my terra on the Executive Board and the Committee on Canadian Issues. The individual talent, collective wisdom, and desire to serve is universal, and I thank all my colleagues for their support. This extends also to those closest to me in Kelowna, British Columbia, including Mr. Ron Mattiussi, Kelowna City Manager, whose support and encouragement has been unwavering. And, most importantly, I am eternally grateful to my wife, Lynn, my son, Russell, and my daughter, Michelle, who have inspired me with their talents and love.

When I was interviewed for the president-elect position, I was asked what I thought would be my greatest challenge as president. My immediate response was to make sure all GFOA members know where in the world Kelowna, British Columbia is.

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I have accomplished goal number one of my one-year mandate!

Now, for the real challenge I'm asking you to help me address. Despite the collapse of the banking and financial sectors, regardless of the impact on our cities and towns of foreclosures in the housing market, and notwithstanding the massive infrastructure investments required now by borrowing from our children, we will not be fulfilling our responsibility to our communities without tenaciously developing the next generation of leaders. Let me repeat--the experienced generation must tenaciously develop the emerging generation to lead in the financial management of our organizations.

Our young professionals often believe government to be stuffy and bureaucratic. Okay, it's true...