Greetings,
I want to say that I am pleased to be your new President. I hope you walked
away from the 2008 MDOA Conference feeling refreshed, rejuvenated, and excited about the upcoming school year.
One of the things I like most about going to conference is being able to network with other officers. The
time that I spend with other officers helps me learn from their experiences along with catching up with those that I am unable
to stay in touch with through out the school year.
Someone
asked me what my goals were for the year and I pondered on that question for sometime. Two things came
to mind. One, how can I help the association grow and two, how to get officers to come to our conferences.
These are big tasks to work on but with your help I know that we can start making our association that much stronger.
One way is to utilize the website as a line of communication. Some of the things that would help
are: What is going on in your region, is anyone having trouble keeping their program alive, does anyone
need emotional support during a time of need with their families. These are some of the things that help
make us stronger as an association and as a person. Everyone that is a D.A.R.E. Officer has a huge heart
and cares about others. That is what makes us one big happy family.
If you need anything please feel free to contact me thru e-mail. I will
look forward to hearing from you in the future. Please have a wonderful school year and stay safe.
Officer Holly Sticken, KCPD
M.D.O.A. President
Past President's Letter
Hello, Bonjour, Hola,
If you ever have the opportunity to go to an International D.A.R.E Conference, you must.
After recently returning from San Antonio for the 21st annual training conference I have a great understanding
of how our association in Missouri doing. Moreover, we are doing great. We in Missouri
are above the bar.
As I sat in training classes, meetings, and lunch with officers
from all over the United States and a dozen of the 43 countries from around the world, I realized that no matter our differences
all 1200 officers in that room taught the exact same lessons, word for word, minute by minute to millions of children everywhere.
The idea that a Missouri D.A.R.E. Officer, fluent in Spanish, could go to Chihuahua, Mexico, teach Lesson 2 and never
miss a beat. An English-speaking officer from Brazil could travel to Columbia, Missouri and teach.
Both Officers spreading the message of D.A.R.E. just like thousands of officers in this country and 43 others around
the world do for millions of children every year.
What you do in your classroom is a microcosm
of what is happening in the world. Children are our future. They are the world leaders,
business owners, and law enforcement officers of the future. As you enter you classroom for the first time
this year, I know that our future is safe with you and every D.A.R.E. Officer worldwide.
Thank
you, merci, gracias for letting me serve as your 2007-2008 President and be safe.
Cpl. Kevin Tieman,
Cass County Sheriff’s Office
M.D.O.A. Past President
