Fall SGMP Chapter News Round-Up

• By: SGMP
• On: 10/09/2019 02:00:51
• In: Membership

Central Florida Chapter

By Colleen Flage, MS, CMP

SGMP Central Florida Chapter was proud to host our annual Education Day on July 18, 2019, at Hotel Indigo Celebration Pointe in Gainesville, Florida. With the theme “Game Changing,” the event began with a reception on July 17, followed by the day-long educational symposium on July 18.  Attendees received four CEUs by attending the fantastic meetings-focused sessions. Speakers included Jan Spence, who spoke about leadership; Julia Spangler, who taught us how to make our events more sustainable; a panel that presented an interactive court case study; and Jennifer Webb, a motivational speaker and coach. Members and potential new members were able to network throughout the day with suppliers and make connections at the Supplier Expo. This event was a great way to introduce new potential members to the organization and an excellent reunion for our members. We look forward to next year's Education Day!   

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Louisiana Chapter

By Jennifer Graffeo

SGMP Louisiana Chapter President LeAnna Toups-Bennett, CGMP, spoke about the 10 Commandments of Ethical Leadership at the chapter's August 8 meeting. The most important commandment is to never use one's leadership position to bully or harm other people. In addition, attendees brought school supply donations to send to local schools. The meeting was held at the Capital Events Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.  

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Michigan Chapter

by Laurie A. Nickson, CMP

At the SGMP Michigan Chapter's 2019 Annual Education Conference (AEC), attendees had the privilege of listening to Ryan Griffus, executive director of the Isabella County Restoration House (ICRH). Ryan spoke about his personal journey and the impact of being homeless during his high school years. As the star quarterback of his football team, Ryan appeared to the outside world as the popular jock, living the ideal teenage life. Unfortunately, the reality was quite different.
 
Ryan founded Isabella County Restoration House out of his concern for the underlying causes of homelessness. For six years, ICRH has provided a safe and warm shelter for those in need. MiSGMP members were significantly impacted by Ryan's story and message to care for others. For the privilege to wear jeans at the conference, attendees paid a stipend that was donated to ICRH, in addition to regular attendees' donations. Our chapter presented Ryan with a $500 check to support ICRH and its mission. Mark your calendar for SGMP Michigan's Annual Education Conference to be held March 18-20, 2020 in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

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National Capital Chapter

By Nicole Roames, CMP, CGMP

SGMP NATCAP went global for their Spring 2019 meetings, hosting sessions on the GDPR laws in Europe, sustainability, human trafficking and leadership with the renowned leadership expert Ed Reed. A renewed focus on providing excellent education opportunities led to what one member called, “the best education that I have experienced from a local chapter of any organization.” 

We were thrilled to once again host our annual NATCAP reception at 2019 NEC and enjoyed the opportunity to welcome our geographically dispersed members for a chance to network and meet everyone in person. The 2019-2021 chapter board was installed at the reception and are working to continue to offer great education and networking opportunities for our members!

 

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North Carolina Chapter

By Danielle Rivenbark, CGMP

The SGMP North Carolina Chapter held its annual chapter conference in Concord, NC, at the Great Wolf Lodge on May 16-17. The agenda included four engaging speakers on leadership, state per diem, contracts, and food and beverage.  In addition, the newly elected Chapter Board was introduced and installed, and the Chapter Planner and Supplier of the Year were announced. After our kickoff session, Visit Cabarrus proved to be an amazing host, as we boarded a bus to downtown Concord for the NASCAR Haulers Parade for the evening. People lined the streets to view the pristine NASCAR hauler trucks in town for the Coca-Cola 600 as they rolled down Union Street. There was music, shops, and games for the kids, as well as food and drinks for everyone to enjoy!

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Old Dominion Chapter

By Chris Bunting, CGMP

The SGMP Old Dominion Chapter presented a special award during this year's chapter awards banquet in June. Board members realized there was a need to acknowledge the number of membership years that some of our members have achieved. We created the Twenty-Year Milestone Award. After dinner, Marilee Tretina recognized the following members for more than 20 years of Old Dominion Chapter membership: Bea Anderson, Sandra Brashear, Gloria Colvin, Wendy Evalle, Michelle Hergenrother, CMP, and Debra Kilpatrick, CGMP. These members all served on the chapter board and on various committees throughout their time with the chapter and are still active. Yes, the key to their longevity in the chapter was to get involved. Congratulations to these deserving members who have given so much to our chapter. (Pictured: Old Dominion Chapter President Marilee Tretina presenting awards to Wendy Evalle, Gloria Colvin, Bea Anderson, Michelle Hergenrother, CMP, Sandra Brashear (not pictured Debra Kilpatrick, CGMP)

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Rocky Mountain Chapter

By Pam Temple, CGMP

On June 13, the SGMP Rocky Mountain Chapter (RMC) celebrated its members!  The Curtis Hotel hosted our annual gala. Mark Richardson, CGMP, and Chele Clark, CGMP, were the emcees for the night and our Trustee, Lynette Schick, CMP, welcomed members and guests to the event. (Pictured - (L-R) Mark Richardson, CGMP, Lynette Schick, CMP, and Chele Clark, CGMP, at the SGMP Rocky Mountain Chapter Annual Gala.)
 
Awards presented included the following: 

• New Member of the Year: Keri Mills
• Culinary Award: DoubleTree by Hilton Denver/Stapleton
• Company of the Year: The Curtis Hotel
• Supplier of the Year: Jean Kim
• Planner of the Year: Lynette Schick, CMP
• Chapter Award: Lynette Schick, CMP
• GEM Awards: Judy James and Patricia Williams

The RMC also held a silent auction and raffle that raised $2,000 for scholarships and education.

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San Antonio Alamo Chapter

By Kathy Montemayor

At the April 16 chapter monthly meeting, hosted by the Residence Inn Market Square, the SGMP San Antonio Alamo Chapter members graciously donated boxes of teen clothing and full-size toiletries to San Antonio Threads. Over the last three years, San Antonio Threads has served more than 3,000 youth who are in foster care, aged-out of foster care, homeless, or are in need of support. Teens are referred by an agency, social worker, teacher, caseworker or pastor.
 
In July, we also stepped up to another community request. San Antonio Threads reached out to SGMP for an upcoming event with Haven for Hope, a 22-acre campus for people experiencing homelessness. They requested small bottles of shampoo and conditioner, and our members help meet and exceed their request. Special thanks to the Omni San Antonio at the Colonnade and the Wyndham San Antonio Riverwalk for donating these items! Many thanks to our members for generously supporting the San Antonio community!

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Pacific Northwest Chapter

By Amber Holcomb

The SGMP Pacific Northwest Chapter Board Members hit the ground running at their July planning retreat for the 2019-20 fiscal year, the chapter's 35^th year! There were talks of new logo design, membership drives, restructuring sponsorships, and a new theme, “Connect and Invest in the Next 35 years!” To capitalize on their theme, the PNW Chapter Board is laser-focused on providing programs to educate members on subjects they find most challenging, so they can use what they learn into planning future government meetings. With this in mind, the PNW Chapter is kicking off their year with “Negotiating Public Transportation in the Greater Puget Sound,” as their September program. Many more exciting highlights lie ahead for the PNW Chapter. Cheers to 35 years!
 

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Texas Lone Star Capital

By Robert E. Nichols, CMP

The SGMP Texas Lone Star Capital Chapter held a successful 2019 Professional Development Seminar (PDS) on August 9-11 at the Hilton San Antonio Hill Country Hotel, San Antonio, Texas. The event featured an industry panel, raffle, human bingo networking, and more.



Interested in submitting a story for the spring issue of Government Connections or our blog? We will be sending out a request for submissions in February 2020 – mark your calendars! Or, email membership@sgmp.org to submit an article.