More than just talk

By Linda Jovanovich
HMA Executive Vice President

Best wishes to you all for a healthy and prosperous 2020! I’m ready to get to work and I trust you are as well. So let’s begin by taking care of the following two action items. Both have January deadlines, and your input is vital.

Action Item #1
January 14 is the application deadline for the Susan M. Regan Memorial Scholarship. As a memory refresher, HMA offers up to three annual Scholarships, to provide financial assistance to qualified students enrolled in an accredited forestry and/or wood products program.

• A scholarship may be awarded to a junior or senior enrolled in a four-year institution. Applicants must be enrolled in an accredited Forestry/Wood Products program for the full school year, and not graduating mid-term.
• A scholarship may be awarded to a second-year student enrolled in a two-year institution. Applicants must be enrolled in an accredited Forestry/Wood Products program for the full school year, and not graduating mid-term.
• A scholarship may be awarded to a graduate student pursuing a master’s degree enrolled in a graduate school. Applicants must be enrolled in an accredited Forestry/Wood Products program for the full school year, and not graduating mid-term.

Here’s where you come in
If you know of an eligible student that could benefit from this opportunity, please make them aware that all of the eligibility requirements, and a scholarship application, are available at www.HMAmembers.org. And don’t delay. Completed applications, along with all transcripts and references, must be received by January, 14.

Action Item #2
It’s HMA NextGen Leaders Council nomination time, and if there is an up-and-coming leader in your organization, now is the time to make HMA aware of your shining star. Anyone currently employed in an HMA member company, who is under the age of 40 and has been recommended by an HMA member, is eligible to serve on the Council. During their three-year term, Council members:

• are encouraged to attend HMA Board of Directors meetings, as well as Hardwood Federation Fly-Ins, in order to become familiar with all aspects of HMA and gain insight into industry issues.
• must be willing and available to work on various HMA sponsored projects to help further develop each Council member, and to offer insight and recommendations on improvements for the HMA.

If you’ve forgotten, the purpose of the Council is to engage and mentor the next generation of industry leaders, as well as seek their input as to how the HMA can better serve their professional development, and the Association as a whole. So, if you have a ‘potential leader’ that is ready, willing and able to commit to the furtherance of the NextGen Leaders Council, I hope you’ll submit their name to ljovanovich@hardwood.org.

Nominations are being accepted through January 18th. And additional information on HMA’s NextGen Leaders Council is available at www.HMAmembers.org.