September 2015
Hi! I’m Rob Dickinson, the new Executive Director of MPAAA. To many of you, I’m a familiar name and face from previous conferences, but to those of you who are new to the Association, please allow me to introduce myself.
I’ve spent most of my career in Pupil Accounting, with 20 years as the Pupil Accounting Coordinator for Grand Rapids Public Schools. I’ve also spent many of those years at Grand Rapids holding various Board positions with MPAAA, and I’ve presented at past conferences and workshops on a variety of topics. For the past 3 years, I’ve gotten to see the other side of State reporting as the Data Collections Manager at CEPI. However, while I enjoyed my time at CEPI, my ‘passion’ stayed with the needs of the pupil accounting community, and when Maggie (our previous E.D.) moved on to another opportunity, I knew my opportunity had come!
In taking over the Executive Directors job, I see my job as reporting to the Board, but working for the members. The reason I wanted this job is that I truly believe that there are many unrealized ways this Association can help its members, and I’d like be a part of making those services real. I have many ideas for directions in which the Association can grow, and I’ll be sharing those with the Board, and the membership, in the weeks and months to come. However, I also want to know the directions YOU would like to see us take.
During the coming months, please feel free to share with me any ideas you may have on how the Association can grow, and be of more service to its members. What things have frustrated you in your job, that the Association may be able improve by providing training or assistance? What tools would make your job easier? Chances are, it would make many of your colleagues job’s easier as well! Please share those ideas with me, either at one of the conferences, or by phone or email, and let’s see where they take us!
As I get dug into my new role as Executive Director, I would like to take a moment to thank the Board for the faith they have shown in bringing me into this position. It’s a vote of confidence I cherish, and will work hard to maintain. I look forward to working with them, and with you, for many years to come!
Thanks, and enjoy your fall!
Rob
Robert Dickinson
Executive Director, MPAAA
(517) 853-1413 (office)
(517) 512-0171 (cell)
