This is an exciting time for our affiliate as we look to the future by more closely aligning our name and mission with the Institute for Supply Management (ISM). Once complete, our affiliate name will change to ISM-GNO, Inc. To accomplish this goal your board of directors is currently working to revise our bylaws, operating guidelines, and three year business plan. The business plan requires comprehensive documentation of our strategic plan, marketing plan, membership growth plan, budget and finances, leadership plan, and educational plan to name just a few. I would like to thank the Board of Directors for their hard and dedicated work and many sacrifices to complete this assignment. They really stepped up to the challenge.
With the tough and challenging economic times we live in today, all of us are being asked to help our employers reduce operational costs and deliver value. This can be a tall order when suppliers are experiencing the same challenges as their customers. Membership in ISM and ISM-GNO, Inc. locally can help give you the edge you need. As our welcome letter on the home page of http://ISMgno.org states, “ISM-GNO educates its members on current and emerging techniques, processes, and practices needed for continued success and profitability.” We will continue to offer educational seminars both nationally and locally. C.P.M. study courses and exams for all four modules are offered to our membership. Mike Vavasseur, our Professional Development Chair is also working on a Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) certification course that will be offered later this year.
The 43nd annual Buyer/Seller Golf Outing will be held on April 17th at the Lakes at Pelican Point in Gonzales again this year. Please sign up to participate and help your affiliate raise the operating funds required to continue to offer you the many educational programs available to members. If you don’t play golf, ask any Board Member how you can sign up to be a volunteer the day of the event. We always need help setting up the course and the registration table. It’s a fun day and a great excuse to get out of the office!
The new Board of Directors for the next fiscal year will be elected at the May dinner meeting. We encourage any member interested in serving to contact anyone on the Board for more information. We typically have one board meeting per month, so the time requirement is minimal. Meetings are held on the third Tuesday of the month. Please consider volunteering to serve in some capacity, we need your help! If you are interested in attending a Board meeting to see what it’s all about please contact me directly, we would love to have you join us.
The proposed Budget and the Board of Directors for 2009-2010 fiscal year will appear in the May Bulletin. A membership vote will be held at the May General Meeting with the installation of the new Board being held at the June annual Meeting. The June meeting is also our “Former Presidents” meeting and the Emile L. Morvant Award winner will be presented, as well as the winner(s) of our $1,000 College Scholarship. The Morvant Committee is now accepting nominations for the award.
Regards,
Mike Broussard, C.P.M.
President and Chairman of the Board
ISM-GNO, Inc.
