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Message from Christie Pruyn Summer has arrived in Chicago and people can't help but feel renewed, inspired and energized as the days are long, the weather is great and activities are in full swing. Some people like to tackle projects they have left uncompleted, like painting a house or organizing their closets where others prefer to spend all their free time outdoors basking in the sun and revitalizing their souls. Whatever the choice, it is clear that the summer glow gives energy, renews the spirit and gets people excited about the future. In the same spirit, SITE is undergoing revitalization in the sense that a brand review and new strategic plan are underway. It is an exciting time to be part of our organization and, even more so, affiliated with a chapter. Similar to group summer activities, many people have been working together to define SITE's future and develop a mission, vision and brand promise that will elevate SITE's presence in the industry as the global authority on motivational experiences that deliver business results. A chapter review is underway as well where best practices and models from other successful international groups are being evaluated to build the SITE chapter vision that will allow us to better serve our chapters and help them grow. Finding the right blend of support and autonomy is the challenge but we know we need to embrace our regional and cultural differences so chapters can grow and develop more opportunities to succeed. The current chapter model was designed more than 25 years ago and times have changed drastically since then. It's even more startling when you realize that was an era that did not include fax machines, computers, cell phones or any social media! You can see why it is an exciting time to be part of a chapter. Your International Board of Directors is working diligently with Fleischman-Hillard (the selected international communications agency), member focus groups and outside industry leaders to build the vision and strategy to guide SITE into the future. Chapters have the opportunity to set sail with the new vision and create their destinies. As I look out onto the boats on Lake Michigan, I am reminded how much I enjoy summer in Chicago. There are many reasons but it is primarily because there is so much to do and so many new avenues to explore. The possibilities are endless and I am excited to be part in charge of creating my own destiny for fun and memories.
Message from Mary Jeanne Chapman If you are like me, you are probably wondering where has the time gone? It seems like just yesterday we were drafting our 2008 goals for the Chapter Leadership Council, and presto, here we are at the half way mark. So now is a great time to review your chapter goals and determine if you are on track and what areas you need to focus on in the upcoming six months in order to accomplish those lofty goals set at the beginning of the year. For the Chapter Leadership Council we have worked in partnership with our Volunteer Coaches to address the various SITE chapters in need of revitalization. We have had some wonderful successes and some continuing challenges. We are about to embark on our second phase of the Vitality Program and will focus on four additional chapters with intensive coaching support. We are in the process of writing a proposal to the SITE Board of Directors to simplify chapter requirements from four events to two events per year, as well as changing the quarterly financial reporting to biannual. We are hoping for the board to vote on this amendment at their upcoming meeting in September. Our goal to more effectively communicate successful ideas for educational events between chapters needs to be focused upon over the next six months, along with updating and providing new resources for the chapters upcoming leadership meetings. Finally, our goal for each of our members to be in contact with their chapter leaders a minimum of four times per year, hopefully this means you have had some type of communication with your CLC member twice in the past six months. So, in retrospect, we have accomplished much to be proud of, but still have our work cut out for us. So let me invite you to take a few minutes to do a self assessment on how your chapter is progressing on accomplishing your goals. We all know how quickly time slips by, so now is the time to concentrate on those goals that have managed to fall off the radar screen.
Get to Know Your Chapter Leaders
Why are chapters important to SITE? What do you like most about your job/career? If money were no object, where in the world would you go for a vacation? What are you usually found doing on a Sunday? What SITE event are you most looking forward to this year and why? I'm also looking forward to the International conference which this year is coming to Montreux, not least because SITE's new branding is being launched there.
Why are chapters important to site? What do you like most about your job/career? If money were no objects, where in the world would you go for a vacation? What are you usually found doing on a Sunday? What SITE event are you most looking forward to this year and why?
International SITE Foundation - News
The ISITE Classic Lifestyles Event will be held 11-14 September 2008 in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, USA with the Fort Lauderdale Grande Hotel & Yacht Club as host hotel. A new sponsorship approach has been introduced this year to showcase the ISITE Classic as the Lifestyles Program for incentive buyers.
The sponsorship and registration information is available online at www.InternationalSITEFoundation.org, click on "Events" or the ISITE Classic logo on each page.
SITE NITE is the place to meet before The Motivation Show and event tickets are now on sale at www.InternationalSITEFoundation.org, click on "Events." This event is being brought to you by the International SITE Foundation network of Trustees and committee volunteers dedicated to furthering research and education for our global industry. We would like to thank our Jade Sponsors - Visit London, Mexico Tourism, and the partnership of The Motivation Show and our Incentive House Consortium for helping us bring this event to life. If you wish to help deliver this event through a partnership or donation please let us know as we would be happy to have you join us. Contact ISITEFoundation@ec.rr.com.
What's Your Problem? There are basically two types of problems in this world, convergent and divergent*. Knowing which type you are dealing with will go a long way in helping you determine what type of strategy you should employ to solve it. The easiest problem to solve is a convergent one. It is a problem whereby all that is needed is more information, and as information is supplied, the solution becomes apparent. For example, you receive a complaint from a client not receiving follow up after sending in a RFP on your web site. Through the process of elimination, you discover if the problem stems from a glitch in the web site, or lack of response from your sales team. Once you have that information, the options converge to one solution. Solving divergent problems are more difficult because what lies at the core of these problems is a difference in values. No matter how many facts or arguments are presented, they will not solve the problem, as values are not easily changed. (Have you ever had a fight with your spouse over something that no amount of logical argument will make him or her budge?) The way to solve a divergent problem is to determine a shared value above the perspective where the problem is being experienced. No divergent problem can ever be solved when approached from the same paradigm that created it. For example, you have been a SITE member for a number of years and initially very involved with the chapter leadership. As the years have gone by, the chapter has become dormant with no leadership. You receive several emails soliciting members to step up and become involved in revitalizing the chapter. You believe it is time for new, younger leaders to emerge and take responsibility. Then an email comes from Brenda Anderson, CEO of SITE, announcing that your chapter is to be closed. Reflecting on the many wonderful relationships and professional contacts you have benefited from as a result of your SITE membership, you pick up the phone and reach out to colleagues initiating the momentum to retain your SITE Chapter. Solving this type of problem involves connecting to the greater good of the organization and shifting away from your belief that someone else is responsible for fixing the situation. So next time you are trying to solve a problem, make the first step of determining what type of problem you are dealing with. *E.F. Schumacher, "A Guide for the Perplexed"
SITE Chapter Calendar of Events July
August
September
Run The World SITE Run the World Teams are now crossing the Atlantic Ocean just over half way to our destination of Montreux, Switzerland. We are challenging all chapters to both "Run the World" with SITE and also to raise money for the global charity UNICEF. If you have not done so already, you can purchase pedometers for not only your chapters, but your friends, family and colleagues. The Run the World Website is also a great place to gather ideas of how to raise money and support this dynamic new SITE initiative.
SITE Run the World Captains Sian Thomas and Ken Lyons lead ESNEP delegates on an early morning walk click on image to download the full resolution photo
Chapter Photos & Highlights Photos from:
Newsletters and Information to Share:
Chapter Leadership Council 2008
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