PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

“What’s In It For Me?”

Many of you, the 200+ members of the Institute for Supply Management - Florida Gulf Coast Chapter, faithfully pay your substantial dues every year, but we never see you at any of our numerous educational and social Chapter events that we sponsor. Therefore, at the beginning of this Chapter’s 2008-2009 year, as your Chapter President, I’d like to dedicate this year to making the most of your dues investment. In other words, what can we, your ISM Chapter’s Board of Directors, do for you to make your ISM membership investment more profitable for you? To do that, I initially need to answer your unspoken question: “What’s in it for me if I participate?”, so here’s a partial list:

1) Free gourmet educational dinners (a $25/dinner value) at Feather Sound Country Club starting January, 2008;
2) A.P.P. & C.P.M. certifications equate to career advancement, hiring or retention in layoffs, and bigger annual raises In short, you are more valuable to your employer;
3) Free and very low cost educational live, taped and web-based seminars;
4) Job placement assistance through web site employment postings and networking;
5) Networking – our membership includes recognized experts on most commodities and services, so you can get answers to your job-related supply issues, or maybe even a better job !;
6) Scholarship opportunities;
7) Skills that enhance your job performance;
8) Onsite training;
9) Volunteer recognition letter to your boss;
10) Mentoring opportunities for you to either mentor others, or to have a mentor for you;
11) Nationally-recognized speakers at Chapter monthly dinner meetings;
12) C.P.M. Continuing Education recertification points.

Perhaps this list might convince you that there is some benefit to you personally if you actively participate in Chapter events. However, we want to be of even more assistance to you on your chosen career path. To that end, on our Chapter web site (just type in “ISM-Florida” into any search engine, and you’ll be there!) is a very short member survey that I would ask you to complete. It takes only five minutes at the most, and will greatly enhance the ability of your Chapter Board of Directors to better plan events that meet your needs. We really would like to assist you in achieving your career goals. Remember though, that career advancement also entails professional responsibility; if you want your profession to help you advance, then you need to assist your chosen profession.

Therefore, we would welcome your assistance in any of the numerous volunteer opportunities open to you within our ISM Chapter and, if I can answer any questions for you, please do not hesitate to call me personally at home (813-988-0824), at my office (813-604-0236) or e-mail me at karl.stevens@citigroup.com. On behalf of your ISM – Florida Gulf Coast Chapter, we look forward to serving you better and helping you advance your career through participation in our numerous Chapter events. Thank you for supporting YOUR ISM-Florida Gulf Coast Chapter.

Karl Stevens, J.D., C.P.M., A.P.P.