In this my last President’s Letter I am delighted to report that despite a tough economy since the fall of 2008, it has been one of our chapter’s greatest years to date.  A personal thank you to the 2008-2009 Board of Directors, a more talented and dedicated group of professionals (and friends) I could not have imagined leading with through these times. 

Under Leslie Larson and Amy Rabe we have held our membership numbers though transfers, new members and strong renewals.  Under Pete Nelson, Nate Boutang and Matthew Trettel we have developed programs that increased networking opportunities like Member–Only Socials and two joint association programs, with NACE and MPI, offered quality continuing education by bringing in Platinum-Level Speakers like James Spellos, and produced our most successful Minnesota Star Awards ever in terms of entrants, attendance and sponsors.  Under Paula Wright, Ami Cervin and Lynn Rivera we have expanded our communications by utilizing social networking tools like facebook and the new ISES Community, transferred our website to a dynamic platform, and continued to position ISES and our members as Industry Leaders in the media. 

In all areas of our chapter from administration functions like managing our budget and reserves, to listening to our audiences through enhanced surveys where your responses resulted in actions, it has been a phenomenal year for ISES Minneapolis-St. Paul.  Thank you to Cara Schulz whose expertise led to the collection of some powerful results in the Economic Survey, Jim Leighton for leading the creation our mentorship program, Erika LaDousa for rolling out our Member Milestone program, and Ryan Hanson for launching a comprehensive sponsorship program.

To the entire Minneapolis-St. Paul Membership at-large, “Thank you for your engagement!”  Your active participation made our ISES Minneapolis-St. Paul Chapter a thriving association!!  It has been an honor to serve with you and I look forward to where we are headed in 2009-2010 under the leadership of our new President Cara Schulz.  Take it away and higher Cara!