b'The History We Celebrate continuedNotesAn Association with Deep RootscontinuedBold Steps and RebrandingCome now, let ussettle the matter, I n 2005, when Steve Burger first alluded to an impending retirement, theboard hired the consulting firm CHORUS of Indianapolis, Indiana, to dosays the Lord. a major survey of members, staff, and other stakeholders. The purposeThough your sins was to bear down on the deepest felt needs within the association. are like scarlet, The results of the survey were made public in May of 2006. It trumpetedthe associations strengths, which foremost included a commitment to thethey shall be as gospel of Jesus Christ. It also detailed twenty-five significant challengeswhite as snow; the association faced and possible action steps to be taken. though they are Partly because of the report from CHORUS, the board called John Ashmenof Colorado Springs, Colorado, to succeed Burger. Ashmen, who startedred as crimson, on July 1, 2007, was the first person in the heavily tradition-laden associa-they shall be like tion to take the helm without ever having rescue mission leadershipexperiencewhich took an audacious move on the part of the board. wool. But what Ashmen brought to AGRM was extensive association experience.Isaiah 1:18 For nearly fifteen years he had served in the COO role at Christian Campand Conference Association.Ashmen set in motion a total rebranding, which required difficult butnecessary bylaw changes in both 2008 and 2009. Then, working in tandemwith the board, new corporate values, a different mission, and a long-termvision were introduced. Also putin place was a new strategicbusiness plan. In the process,Johns title was switched from1923Minneapolis, Minn. executive director to president,C onventions have 1914Cedar Rapids, Iowa 1924New York, N.Y. and the board of trusteesalways been a1915Norfolk, Va. became the board of directors.big part of the 1925Washington, D.C. On May 26, 2009, the boardassociation. Just as they 1916Toledo, Ohiodo today, members backSyracuse, N.Y. 1926Buffalo, N.Y. voted to move the head-then loved to travel 1917 Indianapolis, Ind. quarters to Colorado Springs,throughout the country 1918Charleston, W.V. 1927Colorado. A month later, theand see the amazing work 1919Philadelphia, Pa. 1928Vancouver, B.C. AGRM staff began moving that God was doing in 1929Lancaster, Pa. into temporary space in aother cities. Railroads 1920Evansville, Ind.provided the primary mode 1930Fort Worth, Tex. downtown Colorado Springsof transportation to those 1921Akron, Ohio high-rise. In April 2010, theyimportant events in the 1922Charleston, S.C. occupied new facilities furtherearly years. Here are the north, not far from the U.S. locations through 1930. All Over the MapAir Force Academy. Under Ashmens leadership,member services wereincreased to more than fifty.14'