National Association of Conservation Districts

Thanking Maxine Mathis for 47 Years of Service

Few things about NACD are the same as they were on July 14, 1961, but Maxine Mathis is one of them. She began working for NACD almost 47 years ago and has given loyalty and dedication to the organization since that time. Maxine has often been behind the scenes; whether in her work in the printing business in League City, Texas or in her recent role in customer service for NACD’s Online Store and Stewardship sales.

She’s a regular NACD historian. Anytime someone didn’t know the answer to a question related to the association, the response was the same: Ask Maxine. NACD took one last chance to "Ask Maxine," in an article in the July/August edition of NACD's News & Views newsletter. See below for the full text of that interview.

NACD thanks Maxine for her service and wishes her well.

Those wanting to send well wishes to Maxine can email them to susan-schultz@nacdnet.org for forwarding or mail them to the NACD National Office at 509 Capitol Court NE, Washington, D.C. 20002. We will collect these well wishes until August 1, 2008, at which time we will pass them all along to Maxine.

"Ask Maxine" Interview

Briefly before her retirement, NACD took one last chance to “Ask Maxine” about her time with NACD. Below is a reflection on her years at NACD and a glimpse of what’s ahead.

Q: How long have you been working for NACD?
A: Almost 47 years. I started on July 14, 1961. I have been handling the online store ever since the service center closed in 2004.

Q: Have you always had the same job description?
A: No, I didn’t stay in the same place the whole time. I started working in the mailroom after I graduated high school, switched to composing, doing quotas for the front office, back to composing, and oversaw catalog sales until 1976.

Q: What about NACD has changed the most since you have been here?
A: In 1961, there were eight employees in the composing department, it was that busy! Technology has changed from typewriters, to electric typewriters, to computers. Up until 1983, all invoices used to be typed manually.

Q: How many NACD presidents have you served under?
A: All of them since 1961! If I could look at the pictures on the wall at the office, I could tell you, but I just don’t know.

Q: How has the experience of working with your husband and sister been?
A: Alice worked here first and Gerald started in the print shop in 1962. It was definitely a “family thing.” We had to work close and you just have to learn to shake things off at the door.

Q: What is your favorite memory of NACD?
A: It was always a good place to work. You felt like you were doing something important for districts and we were all interested in what we were doing. My fondest memory is all of the wonderful people that I have met. Even though you never met them, you knew who the clerks were, and they knew who you were. It was nice to all get together at meetings.

Q: How many orders have you filled during your time at NACD?
A: Oh my word! Back when we were logging every ledger, we had about 500 printing orders and month plus 300 catalog orders. Stewardship Week was very busy this year and we had the best materials that we have had. The plaques and handouts for children are very popular.

Q: Do you have any big plans for your retirement?
A: We planned on doing some traveling, even with the gas prices. I’ve got to have something to stay busy. We have a big vegetable garden and are just about feeding our neighborhood and friends with squash and tomatoes. We like to work, but I am looking forward to retirement. I just feel like it is time.