Welcome to the NACUBO 2009 Annual Meeting

Taming the Green Monster examines pressing issues
                                                                                        —the things that loom over us.

	At Fenway Park, it’s the real Green Monster; the 37 foot wall in left field.
	In your office, it’s something else. Maybe not as visually intimidating, but nevertheless still daunting.

For our conference in Boston, Taming the Green Monster has two meanings – how we inspire the teamwork needed to get great work done on our campuses and how we face the challenge of building sustainable environments.

At Fenway Park, there’s the real Green Monster; the 37 foot wall in left field. Baseball is a great metaphor for the business office. Projects are done in teams as well as individually. There are practices, and there are those moments when it counts the most. It involves both strategy and execution.  When you’re standing on the pitcher’s mound every day, you have the important task of facing down your most immediate challenge. As crucial as your role is in that moment, you still have to be mindful of what’s going on around you. And with much of the action happening behind you, you can’t always see things clearly. You have to rely on others to keep the entire field in focus.

One monster that we’re all facing right now is definitely a green one - Sustainability.  Colleges and universities differ widely in understanding, awareness, ability, and commitment to this issue.  It will take the unprecedented collaboration of campus administrations, trustees, faculty, and students to make the transformational changes needed in higher education to address this challenge.  Together, at the NACUBO Annual Meeting you will expand your understanding of how to be a leader in facing this critical challenge as your colleagues share strategies that are at work and working.