Written By: Don Fulton, Board President

One of my goals as Board President this year was to foster communication and learn more about AFCPE® as an organization. I invited each board and staff member to a half-hour confidential Zoom conversation. I hoped to identify themes using a safe space approach.  

I provided everyone with the same open-ended questions. In the spirit of building trust, it is only fair that I respond to the same questions.  

  1. What attracted you to AFCPE®?
    I achieved my AFC® credential as a financial team member at an employee assistant program.  As a start-up team, the intent was to have a shared body of knowledge. Having the AFC® designation has opened doors throughout my career. It has always been important to me to do things that are meaningful (think Viktor Frankl) and effective. To me having the AFC® designation and AFCPE® membership are a win-win. 
  2. What do you need to be successful in your role?
    Coming into a year as president of the board I did not know what to expect. It is a little like Forrest Gump saying, “Mama always says life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.” Every year can be different depending on the needs and unexpected issues. At the beginning I told the board I cannot do this alone. I could not ask to be part of a board that is more supportive and engaged. The AFCPE® staff and leadership are gifted and dedicated. Blessings! 
  3. Where do you see AFCPE® five years from now?
    It is easy to fixate on the day to day and not think long term. The danger is to only focus inward. A supervisor I once had called this “navel gazing.” The truth is that the journey inward and outward is a both/and. For this reason, I see AFCPE® in a period of transition evolving from a “mom and pops” style to a more mature organization. As in life to grow means change. This is part of the reason the board has spent so much time reviewing and updating AFCPE’s® bylaws and governance practices, which is essential to moving forward. AFCPE® will continue to emphasize Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). The AFC® certification will only grow as a preferred designation to value and hire. AFCPE® will build partnerships with other fields that have not been at our table before. We will find new partners and sponsors to collaborate with. Developing pathways of sustainable financial support will be equally important. All this can happen if we see ourselves as ambassadors to promote and empower financial wellbeing. 
  4. What questions do you have for me?
    To respond to this question would seem redundant so I refer you to my previous responses.   

How we say our hellos and goodbyes is important. What do we take with us? What do we learn to let go of? To be intentional about growth is a healthy thing.  

Thank you for sharing my journey of faith and finance as servant leaders. 

Don Fulton

Comments are closed.