am aes RRA GR A, ES diversity of a manager’s work often leaves questions about what has really been accomplished. Many administrators keep a special file of congratulatory memos, letters from students, and other memories to be savored at later times. Administering a budget is a year-round job. It is your responsibility to make sure that the approved items are ordered. People need their tools to do their jobs. Have quick access. to budget amounts, and use a computer to store ideas for next year’s budget. These ideas come at many different times, and a computer can be much easier to find than several scraps of paper. Request items even when there is little chance they will le approved. At least the need will be discussed and, over time, may eventually be met. Managing Self Always be completely honest. If you disagree with vour superior, let the person know face-to-face, not behind his or her back. No supervisor appreciates people who agree in person and disagree in private. The “private” somehow always becomes “public”! Spend little time with those in the organization who are unhappy. It rubs off easily and distracts you from productive work. Always seek to become a part of the SOLUTION, not the PROBLEM. As an administrator, it will be important to know what people are doing at other institutions. Therefore, take an active role in state organizations. Reading the Journal of the American Association of Community and Junior Colleges and The Chronicle of Higher fiducation will give you a national perspective. Take an active role in the accreditation process and apply to be a visiting team member of your accrediting organization, Many will avoid important roles during an institutional self-study, but this is another avenue for professional growth which can be rewarding both now and later. Having important responsibility during a self-study will give you better insight into the ac- creditation process, as well as into how your own institution works. Colleagues will have an opportunity to see your strengths, thus earning you their confidence that you could handle greater responsibility! Budget time for professional development. Hope- fully, your work will maintain the challenge and excitement necessary for continued professional growth. New challenges are required for any position to maintain its vitality. Although the challenge of administration will provide a learning expericnce for the present time, it is imperative to continue learning. Harry S. Truman agreed with this need when he said, “The only things worth learning are the things you learn after you know it all.” David L. Petrash, Director, Fine Arts Division For further information, contact the author at Grayson County College, 6101 Grayson Drive, Denison, TX 75020-8299. Plan now to attend NISOD’s eleventh annual International Conference on Teaching Excellence and Conference of Administrators, May 21-24, 1989, in Austin, Texas. Announcements have been mailed to all NISOD presidents and con- tacts. The program will feature: “ Five pre-conference workshops “ Extended sessions led by more than 90 Master Teachers and/or teams of outstanding educa- tors “ Ceremonies honoring recipients of the newly- established National Master Teacher Awards > Presentation of the third annual Quantum Leaps Toward Excellence Award “ A visit to the San Antonio Riverwalk “ A cruise on the Lone Star riverboat * The return of the Mexican buffet “ Dancing to Texas Fever Suanne D. Roueche, Editor November 4, 1988, Vol. X, No. 26 “The University of Texas at Austin, 1988 Furthor duplication is parmitted by MEMBER institutions for heir own personnel. /# lium members for $35 per year. Funding INNOVATION ABSTRACTS 1s a publication of the National Institute for Staff and Organizatonal Development (NISCD), EDB 348, The University of Texas at Austn, Austin, Texas 78712, (512) 471-7545. Subscriptions are available to nonconsor- in part by the W. K. Kellogg Foundation and the Sid W. Richardson Foundation issued weekly when classes are in session during fall and spring terms and once during the summer ISSN 0199-106X.