President’s Message – Cotober 2026
Can you believe we’re already in October? It feels like we were just talking about surviving the summer heat, and now BooRooUnion is right around the corner. This is always one of my favorite times of the year for SA Greys. Our calendar gets busier, we get more opportunities to see old friends (both two-and four-legged) and, of course, there are plenty of greyhounds to pet, which is never a bad thing.
As much as I love our events and seeing everyone together, there is something else very important happening this fall: SA Greys is looking for members who are willing to step up and serve on our Board of Directors.
This year, the positions of Vice President and Secretary are open for nominations.
I know the words “Board position” can sound a little intimidating. You may immediately picture long meetings, stacks of paperwork and someone handing you a three-ring binder the size of a phone book. Thankfully, that is not what serving on the SA Greys Board is about.
It is about helping guide an organization that means a great deal to all of us.
SA Greys is an all-volunteer organization. Everything we accomplish — from bringing hounds into our program and getting them veterinary care, to finding foster and adoptive homes, planning events, raising funds and educating the community — happens because people are willing to give their time and talents.
Our Board helps keep all those moving pieces moving in the same direction.
The Vice President serves as a resource and support to the President and steps into that role when needed. The Vice President also chairs our Bylaws Review Committee, helping make sure the rules that guide our organization continue to serve SA Greys and its members well.
The Secretary plays an equally important role. The Secretary keeps the minutes of our meetings, oversees general correspondence and meeting notifications, helps maintain accurate membership and Board records and chairs the Election Committee. Good records and good communication may not get as many tail wags as a newly adopted greyhound, but they are absolutely essential to a healthy organization.
More importantly, these positions bring new ideas, new perspectives and new energy to SA Greys.
You don’t have to know everything about nonprofit boards. You don’t have to have been involved with SA Greys for decades. And you certainly don’t have to have all the answers. What matters most is caring about the future of the organization, being willing to participate and wanting to help us continue our mission.
Being involved with SA Greys has been one of the highlights of my time in Tucson. I have met wonderful people, learned a great deal, and most importantly, watched so many deserving greyhounds begin new chapters in their lives.
For SA Greys to continue doing that work, we need people willing to help lead us into the future.
So, if you have ever thought, “Maybe I could help a little more,” this might be your opportunity. And if you know another SA Greys member who would bring enthusiasm, good ideas and a love for the organization to the Board, please encourage them to consider being nominated.
Our hounds may be the reason we are all here, but people are what make this organization work.
I hope you’ll consider becoming one of them.
In the meantime, I’m looking forward to seeing everyone at BooRooUnion on Oct. 25. I plan to once again attempt to pet every greyhound there — and I take that responsibility very seriously.
And, of course, we’ll end the day the only appropriate way we know how: with one big SA Greys ROO!
Jeanne Gacke is President of Southern Arizona Greyhound Adoption and can be reached at president@sagreys.org.
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