President’s Message
February 2026
Dear Friends and Fellow Members,
February is a fun month from Groundhog Day to Valentine’s Day to President’s Day weekend. Then there are the Winter Olympics this year. Of course, I couldn’t help thinking about the similarities between the Olympic athletes and ALNC members. Olympic athletes have purpose—to be the best in their chosen sport. ALNC members have purpose—to provide the best they can to the community of children they serve. Athletes take pride in their accomplishments. ALNC members take pride in the programs we provide. Athletes and ALNC members spend hours giving their best.
BUT here is what makes Olympic athletes and ALNC members most alike. Both say, “YES!” to their sport and to their community. This is the power of YES!
1.A group of supportive colleagues
2.New friends and a feeling of camaraderie
3.Inside knowledge of the organization and how the programs fit together
- A sense of accomplishment
Learning that helps your brain grow and stay youthful (new brain cells)
Just as Olympic athletes choose the sport that best fits them, so can ALNC members choose a position that best fits their skill set and interests. This year ALNC needs a President-Elect, a Strategic Planning Chair, and Marketing Chair.
Take a chance! Say YES! You will find fulfillment and growth! You will find supportive colleagues. Truly these roles are a fountain of youth. Please join those Olympic athletes and your fellow ALNC members who say YES! You will not regret it!
With a firm belief in the power of YES, Nancy Schaefer, Your ALNC President In January, the ALNC Nominating Committee convenes and spends two months building a slate of nominees for Board positions. ALNC members who say YES to these Board positions give much of their time and energy to make our organization successful. But I argue that they gain as much as they give, and so would you by saying YES to one of these positions. Here is my list of those gifts, but you will add to this list from your own experience. However, you do need to say YES!
Nancy Schaefer
Your ALNC President
