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Message from Christie Pruyn Earlier this month, I had the wonderful opportunity to participate in the Formation Meeting for one our newest SITE chapters, SITE Southeast USA, at the Ritz-Carlton in Buckhead, GA USA. Highlights included an overview of SITE and membership, presentation of chapter initiatives and a panel that showcased testimonials on personal ROI as a result of being a member of SITE. The enthusiasm was high as over 80 people attended. One of the most memorable aspects was the excitement in the room and the buzz that was created as the leadership defined SITE for the audience and spoke about what makes SITE unique and what local members can expect by belonging. SITE Southeast USA is just starting their journey. They are learning about SITE resources, trying to maximize participation and get their chapter up and running. Communication lines are open between the chapter and Headquarters as we work together for their success. Recruiting volunteers, developing committees and planning events with engaging speakers are at the top of their list. For more established chapters, listening to this chapter's story may remind them of their beginnings and the mission of all chapter volunteers, but I believe it can also serve as a sign to all chapter leadership to take a look into your chapter. Do you have the passion and enthusiasm you once did? Does your leadership know the resources available and take advantage of opportunities? Are you working within SITE guidelines? Do you even know what they are? Are you forward thinking and finding what makes your chapter unique and tailoring programs and sponsorships to fit? It's not too late to make 2008 one of the best years for your chapter. Tune into chapter opportunities, be a local voice and resource in the incentive and travel industry and be involved. SITE will be seen around the world this year and I hope you will take advantage of the many opportunities available to meet other leaders, share best practices and challenge you and your chapter to be the best you can be. I will be attending IMEX this April and hope you will all stop by the SITE stand, D740 and say "hello." Regards,
Message from Mary Jeanne Chapman On the Third Thursday of each month beginning at 07:00 Pacific Time, the Chapter Leadership Council initiates their phone call. The airwaves are filled with conversation from four continents as members call in from South Africa, Finland, Europe, Egypt, Greece and the US. The biggest rewards of volunteering in a world wide organization such as SITE is the broadening of one's perspective and the wonderful friendships developed. The purpose of these phone calls is to assist the 35 SITE Chapters with educational ideas, share best practices, along with creating a personal relationship between the chapters and SITE Headquarters. It has been exciting for me to see the energy that is flowing in this year's Council. The Vitality Program, which has been spearheaded by the Council, is accomplishing great results. It is amazing to see how the right leadership can make such a difference. If there is a topic or suggestion you would like brought up at our next Leadership Council Meeting, please email it to Christie or myself. We would love to know how we can best serve the chapter leaders and help you create a more effective chapter. The Chapters will play a key role in supporting the upcoming SITE NITE in Chicago at the Motivation Show in September. SITE is reclaiming this important evening, and will be celebrating its 35th Anniversary. Each chapter will be asked to submit a creative/humorous video clip wishing SITE a Happy 35th Birthday, to be shown throughout the evening. So start thinking creatively on 35 different ways to celebrate SITE's 35th year!
Get to Know Your Chapter Leaders
Why are chapters important to SITE? If money were no object, where in the world would you go for a vacation? What are you usually found doing on a Sunday?
Why are chapters important to SITE? What is one thing your chapter does well and explain it: 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?
International Conference 2008 Let the music play for you in Montreux, Switzerland. Join SITE on 5-8 December 2008 at the Fairmont Le Montreux Palace in Montreux, Switzerland for the SITE International Conference 2008. Key highlights this year include:
SITE Chapter Vitality Program SITE knows that chapters are an integral part of our success and values the work done on the local level. To that end, a powerful new initiative has been launched, the Chapter Vitality Program, to address the health and vitality of chapters around the world. There are currently 35 functioning chapters all at various stages of development, and the goal of the program is to assist all chapters grow and achieve their full potential. The initial process has been to identify chapters that, with a little additional direction and support, can step onto the world stage as dynamic active chapters. Along with a member from the Chapter Leadership Council for each chapter, 9 Coaches have been appointed to work directly with local leaders or members to encourage, support and assist the chapter to its full potential. David Sand, 2007 Chair of the Chapter Leadership Council, is leading the committee effort and shared, "The importance and impact of the Vitality Program cannot be under estimated. Healthy chapters equal a healthy Society. So much good can be achieved for and by members at a local level that contributes positively at an industry level." Feedback has been positive and supportive. Past Chapter President Moira Hearn, one of the assigned Coaches, believes, "The importance of focusing on the chapters that are or have been struggling hopefully demonstrates that we care about all members no matter where in the world they are located and that if there is an opportunity for them to participate in a chapter and enjoy the benefits that it can bring then we have a 'duty of care' to help bring that about. It shows we are listening." The goal is the same for all chapters that are receiving additional help, to return them to a place of success. Hearn continues, "We have always tried to share solutions to challenges that chapters face amongst the chapter network over the years and hopefully those that have a depth of experience with chapters and with SITE can help. There are commonalities amongst chapters and the cycles they can go through and then areas have their own unique situations that are both geographic and cultural. The stronger our entire chapter network is the greater benefit it brings ALL members and strengthens the society as a whole." Coaches - SITE Chapter Vitality Program
What's Your EQ? By Mary Jeanne Chapman, MA, CPEC Unlike IQ (Cognitive Intelligence) Emotional Intelligence is a far greater indicator of leadership success in today's fast paced, competitive work environment. So what is Emotional Intelligence? According to Daniel Goleman, author of the 1995 bestseller, Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More than IQ, it is "The capacity for recognizing our own feelings and those of others, for motivating ourselves, for managing emotions well in ourselves and in our relationships." The four key emotional competencies are Self Awareness, Self Management, Social Awareness and Social Skills. Leaders which master these competencies tend to feel they have balance between work and personal life, are able to build and mend relationships, confront problem employees, are decisive, appear composed and self assured, and are willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done. So what is one technique you might use to develop your EQ? Next time you have an emotional reaction to a situation use the PRC method. Pause… before reacting. Reflect… on what is behind the emotion. And Choose… the appropriate thought or action to make the situation work out well. Not only will you have better results from your choices, but you will be perceived as a leader in command of their emotions.
International SITE Foundation
SITE CEO Brenda Anderson and ISITE Executive Director Bob Vitagliano, CITE, Discuss Member Questions on the International SITE Foundation Brenda: Hi, Bob. Are you ready to answer some of these member questions? Bob: You bet, Brenda. What does the ISITE Foundation do and how does that affect me as a SITE member? Brenda: When ISITE was formed it had a clear audience in mind - its first objective is to serve the SITE members and second to serve the industry with practical information and research that can be immediately applied. Bob: Officially the ISITE mission is to enhance the awareness and effectiveness of incentives and incentive travel thereby increasing usage globally. SITE members and industry leaders can play a major role in this effort by joining us to raise funding for research and educational programs that assist incentive practitioners, business executives and suppliers who serve the incentive and incentive travel industry. And, Brenda, you said it right - we want to gather practical data that practitioners can use. When will we see results? Bob: ISITE had some white papers and studies released this past year. At the SITE Academy for Young Leaders ISITE released "Dispelling Two Myths: That Measuring A Few Incentive Travel Programs Within an Organization Is an Okay Strategy … and That Meeting and Incentive Travel Measurement Can Happen Without Consolidation." For the full SITE membership we made available "The Psychological Consequences of Money." Other papers are currently displayed on our website (www.InternationalSITEFoundation.org ). We are also developing a database of industry research to be available to all through the same website. What investment is the ISITE Foundation making to provide further member or chapter educational material? Brenda: Chapter care and education falls primarily to SITE Headquarters but we are united in our desire to serve our members so Bob may have more to say on this. Bob: ISITE has made a decision to make research practical and applicable and we hope chapters are able to use forthcoming research as a basis for information sessions and discussions. We will also develop webinars that Chapters can use to increase their active participation in the education process. Finally, we will make recommendations to SITE about the topics that are of most interest to SITE members. For that, we depend on input from our members. What is the most important current project of ISITE? Brenda: In ISITE's first year quite a bit of time was invested in establishing the structure and governance as well as focus by the ISITE Trustees to develop a clear vision for the organization. Bob: Yes, this included getting legal paperwork in order, securing our charitable tax status, awarding the first David Riddell Scholarship, delivering the first white papers to SITE members and holding our first major fundraising event - the ISITE Classic. Brenda: SITE is thrilled with the progress of ISITE in its inaugural year and we were extremely happy to have had the ISITE Classic co-locate with SITE's International Conference in Monterey, California USA. Bob: Brenda has it exactly right. Our first year was basically one of organization - and this year we will emphasize fundraising to support the research projects that are being worked on next. Events like the ISITE Classic and SITE NITE are great because they bring people together, but the end result is being able to support the research and give back to SITE members. How are research priorities established? Bob: As much as possible, we listen to what SITE members say they need. Lacking that input, the Research Committee looks for subjects that will help all SITE members - and the industry at large - become more efficient and successful in their business. What is the relationship between ISITE and the IRF? Brenda: These are two separate organizations. Both SITE and ISITE are not connected to the IRF. ISITE is not an independent entity that self selects research and their trustees. ISITE is accountable to a Board of Trustees and also to the SITE International Board of Directors. ISITE is regulated and responsible for how funding is raised and spent. There is a defined RFP process for vendors that work with ISITE that is fully transparent. Bob: Yes, ISITE is working hand in glove with SITE to serve our industry and we are thrilled by the caliber of Trustees who represent C level industry leaders from Europe, Asia, and North America. How much money does ISITE raise each year? Bob: Again, we are only in year two. Some of our funding for year one was in-kind support and some funds come in specifically earmarked for programs like the David Riddell Scholarship fund. The latter is currently endowed at about $55,000 with roughly another $5,000 in pledges. The 2007 ISITE Classic in December resulted in over $100K of available funds. How much goes into actual projects vs. salaries/administrative costs? Brenda: Well right now Bob is the only paid staff for ISITE and the rest of the work is supported by volunteers. Bob: We are trying to keep costs relatively low in this start up phase. An ideal target would be 25-35% to staffing and 65-75% to research and projects. But as a foundation typically takes two years to get a solid start our percentages for administrative costs are presently higher than our desired target. How are funds controlled? Brenda: Again, in ISITE's first year the governance guidelines were established and that the ISITE Executive Director is accountable to both the ISITE Trustees and the SITE Directors. Bob: Needless to say there is a system in place that monitors how funds are managed and disbursed. We have Bylaws and policy & Procedure separate from SITE's that determine the controls over all revenues and disbursements. I am entrusted to manage an approved budget and the Trustees have oversight for that budget and then an external audit occurs to ensure everything is in compliance. As a SITE member how can I participate in the direction of the ISITE Foundation? Bob: That's my favorite question, and I have two suggestions for members. The first is to send ISITE viable research topics because the Trustees are interested in topics that best serve the needs of members. Second, I invite members to participate in and enjoy the ISITE Classic and SITE NITE. These are opportunities where members can strengthen relationships with clients and industry colleagues and have a great time - all while raising money for ISITE. I especially ask each Chapter to include the ISITE Foundation in their activities during the year. Many SITE Chapters hold fundraising events for various purposes. Including ISITE in those efforts helps support the industry and their own membership in SITE. Brenda: Bob, thank you for your time and let me know if the SITE NITE winning raffle ticket for the trip around the world will require a SITE escort to go along with it. Bob: Yes that would be a great idea - and I'd be happy to take that off of your plate for you.
SITE Chapter Calendar of Events
ESNEP Register Today! Attend this year's ESNEP event in Malaga, Spain, 10-13 May. There will be a special Chapter Leadership Meeting on 12 May at 08:30. For more information please visit their website, www.esnep2008.com. Main features include: Education
The closing keynote speaker is Conor Cuneen, who will entertain with ‘Don't believe your own Blarney', while teaching ‘Other Lessons to grow your Incentive Business'. In addition there will be a panel looking at recent trends. Networking Added Bonus
SITE Run The World Program
Are you participating? Join the fun! Run the World is designed to promote health and fitness amongst SITE members, while raising money for UNICEF. www.site-intl.org/chapters/run/runhome.cfm
Revenue Sharing Chapter leaders know that Revenue Sharing is an important program to earn funds for their chapter. In 2007, a ten percent increase was announced, or $ 5 USD per new and renewing member, to be made directly available to SITE Chapters to continue to build networking and education programs on a local and regional level.
SITE Headquarters will remit quarterly revenue sharing payments to each chapter as follows:
Revenue sharing is contingent on the following, with no exceptions:
Note: Failure to meet the deadline for submitting these reports will result in loss of revenue sharing for the preceding quarter and until such reports are submitted retroactively. Revenue sharing payments, however, will not be made retroactively. If two or more reports are missed each year for two years, the chapter agreement will be terminated automatically by SITE.
Chapter Leadership Council 2008
Additional chapter support supplied by:
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