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| Dick Harsin, Edmonds, WA |
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Dick Harsin was
elected to a two-year term as Region 2 vice president at the 2006
National Convention. He is president of Harsin Retirement Planning
Inc., a financial, tax, and retirement planning firm. He serves as a
board member for the South Snohomish Senior Center, Deaconess
Children Services, and North King County Little League, and coaches
Little League.
Dick joined Exchange in 1982. He served as club
secretary for four years and club president for two years. He was a
trustee for the National Exchange Club Foundation in 1990-92, and is
a two-time Berkey Fellow. For the Northwest District, he served as
child abuse prevention chairman, president for two years, and
director and secretary each for four years. Dick helped build two
clubs and continues as a charter member for one. He is currently chairman of the Diversity
Committee. Dick received his club’s Exchangite of the Year award. He
and his wife, Nancy, have two children and six grandchildren. |
What have you
accomplished in your first term?
As chair of the Diversity Committee developed,
I developed, with the help of some outstanding members, the Diversity
Statement that was
adopted by the National Board. This is part of ongoing strategy for growth
by reaching into the various communities and helping them identify ways they
can be of service.
What insights do
you have now that you didn't have two years ago?
Growth is paramount. However, growth is not limited to
new club building. We must retain our members, spend time working with
existing clubs who want to grow, and not dilute our efforts trying to help MEBA
(Meet-Eat-Burp-Adjourn) clubs who are satisfied with the status quo.
What do you want
to accomplish in your second term?
Complete the process and charter of the Diversity
Committee. We need to identify various communities that are not being
currently served. We need to help each of these communities evaluate their
needs and develop an action plan to implement within the Exchange Club
structure. Both the community and Exchange will benefit.
What is the
greatest challenge facing clubs, and how can National help?
New members in existing clubs and retaining what
we have. We need to focus our energy on clubs that want to grow and
stop spending time and money trying to get clubs to grow who will not put
forth the effort. National could send someone to the clubs that are growing
and find out how they did it.
What should members
of the board do for growth?
Lead by example.
How can we develop the next generation
of leadership?
It starts at the club level. Bringing on new
members and getting them involved in various committees and progressing to
chair would be a start. Also, we should be including more club members on
District and National committees.
Starting at
the club level, how can we build awareness of Exchange?
Everyone talk about it - submit every project to local media,
join local Chambers of Commerce and be proud of what each club has accomplished.
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Candidates for Office
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