I want to take a moment, to thank all of the members of the NBRPA for re-electing me to serve another term as one of your Board of Directors. It is indeed a pleasure, and I really enjoyed my previous term on the board, constantly working on your behalf to make our association the best it can be. We’ve come a long way, and making progress, so, we’re almost there.
As a board member, I’ll continue working on your behalf, to make our association as transparent as it can possibly be, help facilitate the free flow of information between the leadership and its members. As always, I want to make myself as accessible as possible to each and everyone of you. So feel free to pick up the phone or shoot off an email to me whenever you feel.
Currently, our association is going through a leadership change, searching for it’s new President/CEO/Executive Director, and that search is just getting underway. Hopefully, we end up with someone who truly, intuitively, understands the challenges we have as former professional basketball players (the ABA, the WNBA and the Harlem Globetrotters make up a large percentage of our membership body), as well as having some business savvy, and able to cultivate meaningful relationships both with the members of our association and business relationships.
I’ll continue to do my best, to look for basketball related opportunities both here and over in China where I spend a great deal of time every year. I’m also working on developing revenue-generating opportunities for all of our members as well.
You’ve got my word, that I’ll always do my best and keep first and foremost, a “members first” approach, representing you members at the board level, and continuing to be your voice.
Thank you again so much for having the confidence in me to reelect me to another term as an NBRPA Board Member.
Sincerely, James Donaldson
James Donaldson is a Washington State University graduate (’79). After an outstanding basketball career with WSU, he went on to play professional basketball in the NBA with the Seattle Supersonics, San Diego/L.A. Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, and Utah Jazz. He also played for several teams in the European Leagues in Spain, Italy, and Greece, and he toured with The Harlem Globetrotters to wrap up his career. James was an NBA All-Star in 1988 while playing center for the Dallas Mavericks. In 2006, James was inducted into the Pac-10 Sports Hall of Fame and also the Washington State University Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2010, James was elected as a board member for the NBA Retired Players Association.
James frequently conducts speaking engagements (motivational, inspirational, educational) for organizations, schools, and youth groups.
In 2010, James was the recipient of the NBA Legends of Basketball ABC Award, awarded for outstanding contributions in Athletics–Business–Community.
He believes in being a role model for success and professionalism to the scores of young people to whom he devotes so much of his time. He currently serves on several boards and committees and is a member of many organizations.
James believes in developing relationships that create a “Win-Win” environment for everyone involved, and in being the best he can be!
For more information about James Donaldson or to request he speak at your event, contact him at:
www.StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
JamesD@StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
1-800-745-3161 (voicemail & fax)
James Donaldson is the author of “Standing Above The Crowd” and “Celebrating Your Gift of Life” and founder of the Your Gift of Life Foundation which focuses on mental health awareness and suicide prevention, especially pertaining to our school aged children and men.
If you’re interested in having James come and speak to your group of young adults, business entrepreneurs, aspiring political and community leaders, and athletic teams, please contact him at jamesd@yourgiftoflife.org and or leave a personal message for him at 1-800-745-3161. Keep up with him and read about how he is reaching out and making a difference in the lives of so many around the world at www.yourgiftoflife.org
