NAPT News & Views

Leadership can take many forms. It may be quiet and subtle. It can also be forceful and vocal. In any case, it should be unwavering and, in the best case, it will be influential in a positive way.

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October 1, 2006

6 min to read

NAPT leads in many ways

Leadership can take many forms. It may be quiet and subtle. It can also be forceful and vocal. In any case, it should be unwavering and, in the best case, it will be influential in a positive way.

The National Association for Pupil Transportation (NAPT) has been at the forefront, leading the pupil transportation industry for more than 30 years. How? By remaining true to its core objectives.

Though the association’s leaders change at the discretion of its members, the organization’s mission never does: NAPT will be the leading organization influencing transportation initiatives and enhancing the leadership roles of its members. By the same token, our focus is also steadfast: NAPT will promote safety and enhance efficiency in pupil transportation through a focus on strategic priorities.

At a strategic planning session in 1999, NAPT board members expressed concern about the level of coordinated activity among individuals and organizations active or influential in pupil transportation. As a result, the NAPT board became focused on organizing an industry summit to identify common industry issues and map out a process for collaboration where interests of the three groups intersect. The board published its specific intent for this project in March 2003 and made it clear to all that we should:

Identify common issues and concerns.

Create positive working relationships between these organizations for the benefit of the industry.

Create mechanisms for action to address joint concerns.

Increase the ability of the industry to speak with one voice.
Three years later, with the help of our friends and partners at the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services (NASDPTS) and the National School Transportation Association (NSTA), we have been able to accomplish all of these goals.
At the same time, NAPT has also made a point to develop a “State Links” strategy to help state associations operate even more efficiently and effectively. Our goals in this area have been to:
Improve coordination between state and national associations on common problems and issues, especially by helping state associations develop specific plans and consistent messaging to educate their congressional representatives, federal agencies and state agencies, other industry associations and members on issues important to pupil transportation.

Improve overall service and support to members.

Improve understanding of pupil transportation issues and their impact on school districts.

Reinforce NAPT’s standing as the industry leader and “big tent” for industry discussions.
A dozen state associations have heard our clarion call and now work with us as partners on a wide variety of projects. We expect this number to grow in the time ahead.
By virtue of private- and public-sector member representation, NAPT is uniquely positioned to articulate industry concerns, push innovation in the marketplace and to respond to and communicate forward any new developments that occur.
Through Business Partner relationships with school bus manufacturers and suppliers, NAPT keeps abreast of new technology; interaction with state associations positions NAPT as regionally-cognizant on issues that can ultimately become best practices, industry-wide; and individual members, including operational personnel such as drivers, mechanics, inspectors and transportation supervisors and directors, continue to enlighten NAPT as they communicate what they experience in the field.
With such a diverse membership, NAPT is uniquely positioned to identify current industry trends and respond to and be responsible for events and developments as they occur.
We strongly believe that our unwavering focus on NAPT goals is the primary reason we have been successful. Remaining true to the mission. Staying the course. That’s what leadership is all about.
In the next few years, it is essential for everyone involved in the pupil transportation industry to work in concert, especially because the issues we will tackle are varied and far-reaching.
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For example, the vulnerability of our children’s safety and security as a repercussion of 9/11, the potential impact of the “65 percent solution” and the effects of new EPA emissions regulations are all crucial to budgeting decisions and will produce a profound ripple effect on the private and public sectors alike. Other issues, such as illegal passing of school buses, bullying on the bus and rampant bus driver vacancies also pose challenges, now and in the future. Clearly, there is much work to be done.
NAPT will continue to forge strong relationships with like-minded organizations that embrace our mission. In the past year alone, we have created new or improved existing relationships with organizations like the American Trucking Associations, the Association of School Business Officials International and SCHOOL BUS FLEET magazine. We will continue to push the envelope in this area and expect that these efforts will bear fruit in the years to come.
In the meantime, you will soon see a comprehensive industry-wide effort to promote the yellow school bus as an invaluable national icon. Details will be announced at the 32nd Annual NAPT Conference and Trade Show in Kansas City, Mo., in November. We encourage you to attend, and to follow news in trade publications such as SCHOOL BUS FLEET in the coming months. We also encourage you to consider the many benefits of membership at NAPT. Indubitably unwavering, whether subtle or forceful, NAPT is always leading the way, leading every day.

Are you going to Kansas City?
ALBANY, N.Y. — Ever wonder what you might be missing if you don’t attend the NAPT’s annual conference and trade show? In a word, plenty. In three words, way too much.
But words can’t adequately describe the opportunities for learning, skill-building and networking that you’ll forsake if you’re not a part of the industry’s largest annual gathering this fall.
What follows is a sampling of the workshops and Professional Development Series courses that will be presented Nov. 5-9 in Kansas City, Mo.
For more information about these courses and workshops, visit www.napt.org or call (800) 989-NAPT.
Remember also that the NAPT show is more than just a compilation of workshops and professional development courses. You’ll also be able to inspect more than 100 products and service offerings at the trade show and listen to motivational speakers like Cal LeMon and Bill Butterworth. Those opportunities alone are worth the investment.
Here’s a sampling of the more than 40 workshops that will be presented at this year’s conference:
Leadership in the Trenches: Exploring the Relationship Between Micro-Managing and Leading.
Understanding and Managing Data and Metrics: Developing Goals Based on Trends.
The Importance of Inter-Departmental Alliances: Successful Collaborating for Improved Student Achievement.
Do You Make or Break the News? The Changing Role of Transportation in Education.
How to Make Smart Decisions Under Pressure: Why You Need to Stop Micro-Managing.
Local Challenges/International Impact: How and Why We Must Learn From Each Other.
Hire. Train. Justify: The Impact of Bus Monitors and Paraprofessionals.
Blue Collar Comedy? Look Around: The Prevalence and Relevance of Humor in the Workplace.
What Would Happen If...? Thinking about the Transportation Department of the Future.
Moving Away From the “Short Bus” Mentality: Exploring the Concept of All Kids on All buses.
School Transportation Awareness Training: A new program from the Transportation Security Administration to promote security awareness for drivers, maintenance employees and operations management personnel.
After the Crash: A post-event analysis of a real school bus crash.
School Bus Watch: The original anti-terrorism training program for school bus drivers.
Here are the 11 new Professional Development Series courses that will be offered: