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Welcome It's been said often times before: the chapters are the lifeblood of SITE, the grassroots effort that help the society be successful. We've all heard it and probably even said it. At last week's Chapter Leadership meeting during the Motivation Show, I was reminded how true those statements really are. Sixteen chapters were present from all over the globe. Members from individual chapters, ISITE Trustees and the SITE International Board of Directors were all present to participate and listen to the chapter's successes and needs. Having such a representation is commendable given the fact that most people had a stand to attend to, business appointments to keep, and work to get done. Important items such as education, chapter partnerships, SITE Finder Service and a new program to “Way Forward” struggling chapters were discussed. Feedback on all points was welcome as part of the discussion. At the International Board of Directors meeting that occurred prior to the Motivation Show, two new chapters-in-formation were approved, UAE and Southeast USA . Just as membership and retention have seen impressive numbers, new chapters continue to come into the fold. SITE proudly has 36 truly international chapters. All this positive momentum reinforces my belief that now is a great time to belong to a chapter and an even better time to volunteer to lead your chapter. As preparations for the SITE International Conference in Monterey, California ramp up and chapters plan to have elections for their 2008 officers, it is the right time to speak up and become involved. The SITE Chapter Leadership Meeting in Monterey promises to give you the tools needed to be a better leader and educate you on the basics of chapter management. By attending, you will ensure that your chapter can be on a successful path in 2008. The goal is to have a representative from every chapter in attendance to take back pertinent information to share with their local team. Remember, each chapter is granted one complimentary registration so they can send a leader to attend the chapter meeting and International Conference. The SITE Chapter Leadership Council and I hope you will take your chapter's vision and future to the next level by attending the Chapter Leadership Meeting in Monterey on 6 December. It is a pivotal meeting for chapters to learn and also give feedback on important issues and needs for 2008. Your learning and networking will be invaluable, but you will also give feedback that will help shape the goals of the 2008 Chapter Leadership Council. I promise you will not be disappointed!
Get to Know your SITE Chapter Leaders
Who introduced you to SITE? A long time member Moira Hearn If money were no object, where in the world would you go for a vacation?
Who introduced you to SITE? 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?
Who introduced you to SITE? 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?
New Chapter Development Congratulations to the following new chapters-in-formation: Southeast USA
Chapter Management Reminders & Events
Upcoming Chapter Events
Tales From The Front SITE Southern California has a history of success within the SITE community. The chapter has worked hard to continually develop their educational offerings and events. Their annual Holiday Event has grown into its main fundraising initiative and has given the chapter industry recognition beyond just its local borders. Their success and willingness to change is due to strong, strategic leadership that strives to improve the event, their chapter and the community. Recently, SITE Chapter Leadership Council Vice Chair, Mary Jeanne Chapman spoke to SITE Southern California Chapter President, Gaetan Mousseau, about the Holiday Event in an effort to assist other chapters that would be interested in their tips to success. When did the event start? What was the vision initially for the event? Mousseau: The event started seven years ago – 2007 will be the eighth event. The vision was always to give back to the community by supporting local children's charities. Has the vision changed over the years, and if so, how and why? Mousseau: The vision has stayed consistent over the years, and the children's charities selected are always small grass roots organizations with no overhead. Originally the event was simply a reception/luncheon, but over the years it has evolved to a two day event, including a golf tournament, welcome reception, breakfast with tabletop displays from key sponsors, a two hour silent auction/reception, and finally the luncheon and live auction. How did you initially get the support from the membership and or suppliers for the event? Mousseau: Over the past six years (and to the best of my knowledge as far back as the beginning) a Donation/Auction Committee was formed to solicit raffles, silent and live auction items. After the success of the first event, word of mouth generated the momentum for the event to grow each year. How much of the financial success of the event is attributable to member sponsorship or vendor donations? Mousseau: The success of this event is based upon the generous contributions of all of our members and non-members who not only contribute financially but a significant amount of their time volunteering on the various committees. Is the main source of revenue from the auction? Mousseau: Live Auction 35% How many auction items do you have each year?Mousseau: We have 6-8 live auction items that are typically valued between $10,000-$25,000. In addition, each table host/sponsor (for this year event we will have 40 tables for the latter category) must provide a minimum of two silent auction/raffle donations valued at a minimum of $500 each. How do you solicit to obtain these items? Mousseau: We have a committee that seeks out donations for the raffles, silent & live auction items over a period of 10 months prior to our annual event. Each year, we look at 2-3 new and hot incentive destinations, and then our planner members and non-members will connect us with their suppliers for contributions. We always offer airline tickets with our live auction items, and they must be at least business class to be part of our live auction packages. We are fortunate to have great support from our hotel partners such as The Four Seasons, Ritz Carlton, Marriott, Fairmont Hotels and Hilton amongst several other ones. What is the amount of money raised each year? Mousseau: The past two years we raised in excess of $100,000 and this year shouldn't be any different. How much goes to charity? Mousseau: 90-95% goes to charity, with 5-10% going to the chapter. This money allows us to have a full time administrator, hire help as needed to produce our annual events, as well as secure 1 st class speakers for our 5-6 educational meetings. Who decides what charities the money goes to? Mousseau: We have a Charity Committee that seeks applications and then interviews them over the phone and in a face-to-face format afterwards. We strive to select one charity from each of the three counties our chapter represents; Los Angeles , Orange County and San Diego . What is your budget for the event? How has this changed since the initial event? Mousseau: Our budget this year was nearly a quarter of a million dollars. Obviously, as the event has grown, the budget has grown…but one of the main reasons's for this event's success is that we have always controlled extremely well our expenses and count on an amazing generous pool of planners and suppliers alike! What are some of the obstacles or challenges you have faced over the years? Mousseau: Since this event has sold out over the past three years, one of our challenges has been to allow as many members and their guests as possible to attend. We have done this by requiring those members that sponsor a table to have a minimum of five planners at each table, and large suppliers such as hotel companies and DMC's are only able to purchase two tables. What tips do you have for other chapters in planning a similar event? Mousseau: Don't be afraid to invest money into creating a quality event. From your perspective what do you feel is the main reason this event is so successful? Mousseau: I believe our ability to aim at attracting a 50/50 ratio between suppliers and planners is what sets this event apart from other industry & fundraising events. Plus the excitement of giving to the children's charities makes everyone attending experience such joy in knowing they are contributing to enhancing the lives of these wonderful children.
Chapter Leadership Council Contact Information
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