Incoming Chapter Presidents Attend Leadership Symposium
The 2004 Chapter Presidents' Leadership Symposium (PLS) was held in Alexandria, VA, April 18-20. Of SMPS' 52 chapters, 39 were represented by their Presidents-Elect.

This annual event offers chapter management resources to incoming leaders through a combination of roundtable discussions, presentations, and workshops. The Presidents-Elect discuss the challenges they face in the year ahead with National Board members, experienced volunteers, staff, and one another, establishing a strong network of professional resources they can tap into for advice and assistance during their terms in office.

The 2004 PLS was organized by Co-chairs Julie Luers, FSMPS, of HGA, Minneapolis, MN, and Tony Steinhardt, CPSM, of Ratio Architects, Indianapolis, IN, with National Chapter Delegate Mike Savage, Geotechnologies Inc., Glendale, CA, and Tina Myers, SMPS National's Director of Membership Services.

Among the highlights of the 2004 PLS:

• Roundtable discussions on educational programs and membership
• A Communications/ Public Speaking Skills Workshop led by Carol Doscher and Charles Murray of Graceworks, New York
• A presentation on using the criteria for the Striving for Excellence (SFE) Program to lay a foundation for chapter management, led by 2004 SFE Chair Carolyn Ferguson, CPSM, of The Lentz Group, Houston, TX
• A Delegating Skills Workshop led by PLS Chairs Julie Luers and Tony Steinhardt
• A Q and A session with the National Board of Directors
• A presentation on chapter financial and legal issues by Earl Klinger, Vice President of Operations at SMPS National
• An overview of pending fax and e-mail legislation led by Melanie Penoyar, Director of Marketing and Business Development, and Molly Dall'Erta, Web Project Manager, SMPS National.

Details on the 2005 PLS will be available in December. [ return to top ]