From the President’s
Warm Office
My legs are still dancing and the pins are still flying
from my awesome experience at our December conference Presidents/Opening
Reception at Rock ‘N Bowl. There will never be enough
thanks for the work of the 2004 Conference Committee in coordinating
an incredible learning and networking experience. And, a special
thanks to Jamie Lax and Rex Trewin for capitalizing on their
personal knowledge of the current SACE President in choosing
the site for the Presidents/Opening Reception. We missed many
of you in New Orleans, and hope you’ll plan ahead to
join us in Miami this December. And, don’t forget the
60th Anniversary SACE Celebration in Atlanta in 2006.
So now, on to the business at hand. Since the last edition
of SCOOP, the positive changes promised by your Board of Directors
are taking solid shape. Forgive me for the repetition from
Committee reports, but I sure do like writing about your Board
of Director successes! Membership, led by Carolyn Thomas,
successfully promoted the benefits of SACE membership to new
members at a fun and highly interactive pre-conference New
Member Orientation. This committee is also re-designing our
membership brochure, and developing a strong marketing strategy
for the next 18 months. And, how about SCOOP? Many thanks
for Shannon Beeman for the great new features.
Flora Riley and her Professional Development Committee designed,
developed, and hosted two new programming tracks for the Conference--the
Masters Series and The Emerging Leaders Series. Both were
very well received with great attendance and positive evaluations.
Plans for taking the Emerging Leaders Series on the road are
in the works, and be on the lookout for additional webinars
and drive-in workshops. And, a newly designed member expertise
directory is in progress.
Megan Newman has led Consulting Services in providing increased
marketing for this service, along with SACE Scholarships and
Fellowships. And a huge congratulations is due the Consulting
Services Committee for the best and most profitable conference
silent auction ever.
And, how about Information Management and the new SACE website?
Finishing touches are still being implemented, but feedback
from all over the country gives it 5 stars. David Gaston and
Skip Hunt have spent endless time and energy to provide a
premier association website, and new, highly manageable and
efficient management and maintenance procedures will help
guarantee timely, up-to-date information is available 24/7.
Tracy Powers and her 2005 Conference Committee are already
busy at work planning a warm, Miami 59th Annual Conference,
and Tracy is leading the coordination of identifying a conference
site for 2007. More to come on this soon. Our Association
will soon learn just how fortunate we are as Tracy takes on
the role of President.
And, what can we say about Patsy Hammett, but to thank her
for her positive, endless leadership. Patsy has taken the
lead in organizing and streamlining our leadership and awards
nominations process, leading to greater member participation.
Patsy has also been my most needed mentor, working very hard
to make sure I don’t go off in left field, or make huge
errors in judgment. Something I will never forget!
And, finally, you ask about the state of SACE finances? Karen
Thompson’s report in this edition provides the necessary
detail. But, what is not obvious is the constant attention
of Karen, Donna Baldwin-Hunt, Skip Hunt, and your Board of
Directors on the ‘rules” of fiscal responsibility.
Increased programs and services can come with a higher price
tag, but while we have spent more to provide more member benefits,
we have done so with great attention to areas where we could
spend less, working tirelessly to provide balanced finances
to help SACE move comfortably into a solid future. Your Board
of Directors and Administrative Officers question every penny
spent from our membership dues, and you can be sure that the
interests and needs of SACE members are first and foremost
in every discussion and every decision made.
You are probably thinking (or saying), does he every stop
praising the leadership of SACE? NO – because I have
had the most incredible opportunity this year to work with
this talented, dedicated, motivated, and member focused group
of professionals, and it is an experience I will always be
thankful for and very proud of. And, I hope you will join
me in recognizing their efforts in making SACE what I consider
to be the nation’s premier Career Services/Recruiting
Professional Association.
Now, it’s back to work for you, our readers, and ever
forward for your SACE leadership.
Sincerely,
Bob Cramer, President
Vanderbilt University
|
