May 2009 President's Message

These days, businesses are focusing more and more on the bottom line and their mere existence.  This needs to be true about our chapter as well, not in terms of profit, but in terms of product.  The best intentions and the kindest hearts in the world mean nothing unless positive action follows. We have the ability to increase our limited resources by using member volunteers; we can increase our presence, position and power in the same way. 

Organizational power is not subject to the laws of physics.  The more power we can distribute amongst each other, the more power there is.  We should not be afraid to use our member volunteer resources to their utmost potential, whatever they may be.  For instances if most of our member volunteers are stuck doing menial task or finding themselves ineffective, here are some ideas on how we can funnel the power towards them, and thereby increasing the effectiveness of the entire chapter.
 
INFORM: We need to make sure all of our member volunteers know and understand the mission and vision of the chapter, as well as its structure.  It is amazing how many people find themselves having no or very little idea about what goes on within the chapter.  It is possible that our member volunteers are not often socialized, creating problems down the road.  By showing the member volunteer all the facets of the chapter and keeping them informed, we help the member volunteer identify with the chapter.  This will lead to higher levels of commitment and participation.

CONNECT: A successful chapter has its roots entrenched throughout  the community.  Our member volunteers can be an important resource towards opening doors, and they can also be very worth knowing. Introduce member volunteers to visitors, ask member volunteers to bring visitors.  Let us use our connections to widen our connections, and the entire chapter will benefit. (However, we will not take it so far as to value a member volunteer based on who they know rather than what they do.)

EDUCATE: Reward our dedicated member volunteers by increasing their boundaries.  The chapter has the resources for both national and regional conference participation for anyone who has shown commitment and is interested in increasing their role in the chapter.  This is a wonderful way of making talented member volunteers loyal and showing that the chapter is committed to its members.

CELEBRATE: Trumpet our member volunteer achievements as often as we can (need to make sure it is sincere and merited, however).  We need to make models and even heroes out of exemplary individuals.  This will reward good workers and stress to the membership what the chapter considers important.
 
Remember that the effectiveness of these changes, as with all changes, are determined not only by written policies and discussions at chapter board meetings, but by our actions and the entire chapter's commitment to change.
 
I would like to hear your thoughts and ideas please feel free to e-mail me at kmartinek@arcadiainc.com.
 
See all of you at lunch.