President’s View – Rob Burgess...Gooooood Morning Vietnam!***

Many years ago back in the ancient 1970's, I was first introduced as a young radio disc jockey on Armed Forces radio by a more experienced radio professional. Back in those days, on Armed Forces radio one could hear almost every genre of music from rock and roll to country, from Tejano to jazz, rhythm and blues to classical. “Gramps” was a country music fan. He had something like 10 years of radio experience and MAN could he spin the records and shoot the fat as he told us tales about his favorites. They were people like Buck Owens, Crystal Gail, and Johnny Cash. But Gramps loved his listeners and he knew that I loved rock and roll, so he gave me a new nickname and introduced me with a song by the Jackson Five: Rockin’ Robin. Some of you may know how the song’s lyrics go:
“Rockin robin, tweet, tweet, tweetily dee. Oh Rockin Robin were surely gonna rock tonight.”
As a new inexperienced disc jockey it had to be the greatest let down in the history of radio for the listeners of KMTH-AM on Midway Island as I came on the air. My first few weeks and maybe months on the air, I stunk.
I like to think after that I settled in to being an OK disc jockey. You’d have to ask the radio audience of at most 1,200 people on Midway if that was true.
It is humbling to me to serve in this organization in this capacity. I now stand here where Stephanie Eagan, Matt Losch, Jeff Mills, Rick Montcalm and so many other distinguished leaders have stood.
What makes a leader? Is it their ability to inspire? Over the years, I have heard many inspirational speakers. Some were business leaders, some priests, rabbis, or ministers, some were governors. All may have inspired me with their speeches, but frankly, I am not sure a single one made a lasting difference in my life. So, giving a good speech is not leadership.
Is a good leader someone who has a vision? Over the years, I have been inspired by the visions of many superintendents, curriculum gurus, or presidential candidates. But again, I say that I am not sure any of them actually changed my life.
What is a leader? At least for me, I have become convinced that a leader is someone who cares. A leader cares about people. A leader is someone who is ethical in how he or she treats people. A leader is compassionate; a leader tries to be fair even if it is not always possible to be so. A leader does not shy away from difficult issues, but tries to make a difference. A leader is someone who reaches out to both sides of the aisles and says: Let’s solve these problems together. Let’s do what we can to make this world a better place for all God’s children, for parents and grand parents, for teachers and principals, for bus drivers and custodians, for secretaries and paraprofessionals.
Thank you to the leaders in this audience. Thank you to not only those that have served now or in the past on the Board of MSBO, but who serve in capacities as committee chairs, or committee volunteers, as officers of our regional groups, as speakers or in other capacities at this and many other MSBO events and conferences.
Thank you to those in this audience who serve their local church, temple, synagogue or mosque. Who are involved in service groups in their communities like the Lions Club, or Rotary, Optimists, or Kiwanis.
Thank you for your involvement in band or choir boosters, little leagues or youth soccer, science expos or spelling bees.
Thank you to those who work overtime to ensure that the budget for our children’s education is “just right”, that the boilers are working properly, that the buses are operating safely, that our computers are purring smoothly, that the pay checks get out on time, and that the food our children eat is hot, nutritional, and delicious.
Thank you!
But I must not stop there. The famous Englishman, theologian, and children’s author C.S. Lewis once said: “You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.”
This year, I am asking you to do just a little more. To always put the interests of Michigan’s 1.7 million pre-school to high school children and our adult education students first. To always remember that we are here to serve them. To always know that we as leaders of MSBO are here to do the best we can, with the resources that we have.
I am not asking you to put more on your plate. We are already busy people. What I am asking for you to do is remember why we are here: for the children, the adult education students, the parents and grand parents, the taxpayers, the teachers, the support staff, and our Boards of Education.
For this year, I would ask you to remember. Leaders are people who care. Therefore, I would ask you to dig just a little deeper this year and get involved, make a difference, be passionate about your work, care for children and “Give a little bit.”
*** Please note, I am a Vietnam-era veteran, but I did not serve in Vietnam. As indicated, I was a journalist/disc jockey/broadcaster with Armed Forces Radio/TV. I served with the 7th Fleet in Japan and also on Midway Island.