| Show NATIONAL association OF COUNTY OFFICIALS by george F simmons executive director NACO in this modern age the general public demands rather than solicits our very best efforts in order to succeed any business or enterprise must be up to date in every respect to compete successfully it must adopt and use as fast as they are developed the very latest devices and systems but successful business men are not satisfied merely to use the ideas of other people they have found it pays to contribute deaz deas that help otherwise because of this continuous creation of new ideas and the free use of them american business leads the world to stimulate the development and dissemination of new thoughts and ideas business makes wide use of the conference the convention the consultation and meetings of all kinds training men and women in hi the art of operating a business with greater economy and efficiency Is a major activity all progressive people recognize the importance and value of these activities and admit the absolute necessity of them yet when county officials many of whom are successful busl business nesi men and recognize the need ot constant improvement try to apply these modern business principles to county government many objections arise the old cry that the taxpayers money Is being wasted sounds loud and long and taits in spite of the fact that in many instances county government because of a lack of applied knowledge is lagging far behind in modern administration methods in many of our counties methods of fifty years ago are still in use Is it any wonder that county government is criticized condemned and accused of being wasteful inefficient and out of date Is it any wonder that many progressive gres sive individuals interested in providing and using the very best methods known in business administration are disgusted and want to make changes in counties where the officials have been alert progressive and have introduced modern methods it in office managements and modern improvements in office equipment very little if any complaint i le heard in counties where the officials are active in civic affairs af falts where they participate ln in improvement enterprises designed for the welfare of their communities they are usually respected and held in high esteem by their people it Is only because of such outstanding public officials that the opponents opponents of county government still admit that it is the best bes t g government known for the use of a free people and that there is sull still enough hope for improvement to j justify its continuation realizing that county government was losing favor in the eyes of many of our people and that unless something was about it an attempt to abolish or cnance it would be made a small band ot patriotic county officers who were extremely concerned about the situation met and organized the na dional A association of county officials the purpose of the organization pr primarily Inia rily was to promote improvement pro in county government since its inception however other important functions have developed the association publishes a a ma magazine called the county officer this magazine prints useful information that is intended to encourage county officials to greater activity and provides a medium tor for the exchange of ideas and opinions that may help in solving some of the county problems conventions held once a year in different states are planned to furnish information that will inspire county of officials to take more interest in their work these plans include addresses from experienced public officials on imbor important lant subjects pertaining to county work contacts with county officials froni from all parts of our country are arranged displaying and demonstrating the latest methods and devices used in modern business administration is also a part of the planning in order to keep down expenses a modest yearly membership fee of 2 00 has been established this tee fee includes a subscription to the county officer the organization is entirely controlled and operated by county officials its aims and objectives jec tives are of the highest type many state associations of county officials have adopted and incorporated them into their bylaws by laws affiliation and cooperation with state associations are being developed rapidly in this way the usefulness of the national association Is being increased very materially the need of such an 0 organization Is recognized and subscribed to by many outstanding public officials all county officers interested in improving county government and in doing a good job better should join the national association byron westons record |
